The Opera Society celebrated the New Year on January 26th with a Lyrical Luncheon at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club. Forty-three guests were entertained by three of Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artists – Benjamin Werley, tenor, Sarah Payne, soprano and Nick Ward, baritone – singing enchanting arias from Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, which opens at the Broward Center February 9 and 11. Get your tickets now for this commanding performance. Kathy Kozak, Chorus Master for Florida Grand Opera accompanied the outstanding singers.
Justin Moss, FGO Director of Broward Operations, enlightened the opera lovers in attendance about the Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin, whose heartbreaking poem, Eugene Onegin, was adapted to an opera by Tchaikovsky.
Dr. Jan Solomon, the Chair of the Lyrical Luncheons welcomed the guests . She invited Dr. Linda Balent to the podium to tell our audience about the upcoming Opera Gala, A Grand Russian Ball, and to invite them to attend the festivities on February 11th.
Dr. Jan Solomon also invited everyone to attend the final Lyrical Luncheon of the season on Thursday, April 20th, with Philip Pierce, Artistic Director of FGO, for a preview of Verdi’s A Masked Ball, a tale of mystery and intrigue. FGO Young Artists will perform captivating arias. To be held at the Lauderdale Yacht Club, hosted by Jo Anne Lewis.
Other notables in attendance were: Melanie Camp, Dr. Gloria Kline, Barbara Parent, Franklin Schmidt, and Veronkia Thorne. Jan Solomon proclaimed the event a wonderful success and said, “The Opera Society has been a cultural flagship of our community for 39 years in partnership with Florida Grand Opera, celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. Events like this solidify our standing in the community, and our vision for cultural enjoyment and expansion.
Enjoy the photographs taken at this delightful and informative event.
Jan Solomon, Lyrical Luncheon Chair
