The Opera Society

The Lauderdale Yacht club was the venue for the first Lyrical Luncheon of the season held on Thursday, November 19th. Event chairperson, Barbara Parent, greeted fifty society members and friends. She called on society president, Claire Crawford, who discussed upcoming events and introduced new members PJ Carswell and Sandra and Vincent Patalano.

Barbara then introduced guest speaker Justin Moss, Director of Broward Operations and Outreach for Florida Grand Opera. Justin, with help from the Florida Grand Opera Young Artists, presented an entertaining program entitled “Closing the Gap: Opera Inspired Musical Theater.” Justin gave examples of some musicals that have their roots in opera. The Young Artists sang selections from Porgy and Bess, Guys and Dolls, Carousel, and West Side Story.

Performing Young Artists were Eliza Bonet, mezzo-soprano; Laura Martinez Leon, soprano; Sara Payne, soprano; Mario Arevalo, tenor; Alex Soare, bass-baritone; Nicolas Ward, baritone with Sergio Puig, pianist.

The next Lyrical Luncheon will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club chaired by Linda Balent.

Thank you to Betty Young for the wonderful photographs.

[simpleviewer gallery_id=”49″]

{ 1 comment }

It was a lovely spring day on Thursday, May 7^th for the Opera Society’s Spring Luncheon and Installation of Officers for 2015-2016. As guests gathered in the Lounge of the Bistro Mezzaluna, Ann Rentoumis graciously entertained us on the piano as we sipped our champagne. After socializing for a while we headed upstairs to the Lighthouse room for the membership meeting and luncheon.

As the guests’ lunch menu preferences were being taken, a brief business meeting was conducted. Karen Mathieson, welcomed guests and acknowledged our special guests, Susan Danis, General Director and CEO, Florida Grand Opera, and Justin Moss, FGO’s Director of Broward Operations & Outreach. Our two new members in attendance, Dr. Jacqueline Hayward and Mr. Jeffrey Blum were introduced and presented with a welcoming rose. President Eric Koskoff then presented gifts of acknowledgement to the Opera Society 2014-2015 Officers.

Justin Moss conducted the swearing in ceremony to install the new Officers and presented the ladies with a lovely rose and for the gentlemen, a tasty chocolate rose. The new slate of Officers for 2015-2016 is:

President:                                Dr. Claire Crawford

V.P. Ways & Means:             Karen Mathieson

V.P. Membership:                 Eric Koskoff

V.P. Public Relations:           Betty Young

Corresponding Secretary:   Dr. Linda Balent

Recording Secretary:             Ruth Molina (not in attendance)

Treasurer:                                  Gary Loft: (not in attendance)

We were then honored to have Susan Danis, General Director & CEO present an overview of Florida Grand Opera’s 2015-2016 Season.

Bistro Mezzaluna served a lovely lunch consisting of a choice of three entrees: wedge salad with grilled chicken, grilled salmon, or Rigatoni Bolognese. Desert was key lime pie. It was a delightful event everyone enjoyed. Special thanks to Isobel Sturgeon for the lovely table decorations, to our gifted pianist Ann Rentoumis, and to our photographer Betty Young for the wonderful pictures.

Karen Mathieson

[simpleviewer gallery_id=”48″]

{ 0 comments }

An evening of Singing and Socializing at Renzo’s of Boca Raton made our Member Mixer a Great Success!

On April 14th, Opera Society members and friends were joined by a number of new faces at this charming and delightful restaurant recently featured on Miichele Bernstein’s “Check Please!”  Renzo’s proprietor,  Beatrice Sciortino, was a wonderful hostess and treated us to her special Italian appetizers.  Peter, the piano player, entertained the group with a selections from Broadway, classical and popular music. However, everyone will agree that the show-stopper was the superb singing of the chef, Giuseppi. He regaled us with well-chosen Opera favorites as well as some great Italian standards. The gang even chimed in and joined in a sing-along!

The evening gave everyone a chance to relax, unwind, and make some new friends with many common interests. It also gave some subscribers living in Boca an opportunity to find out more about Opera Society activities and events. This  important outreach to Palm Beach County area by The Opera Society will definitely be repeated.

A special thank you goes to Ted Belloise for arranging the wonderful evening.

Enjoy the photos taken by our Vice-President for Publicity, Betty Young!

[simpleviewer gallery_id=”47″]

{ 1 comment }

Almost 130 people attended the very elegant and enjoyable event “Arias at Sea” aboard Holland America’s ms Westerdam at Port Everglades on Saturday, March 21st. Guests were treated to the beautiful performances of eleven of Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artists while sipping champagne and mimosas in the beautiful ship’s show room. Justin Moss, in his inimitable style, provided the introductions for each of the singers and their selections.

Following the performances, a superb luncheon was served by the ship’s staff. The food and service were absolutely first class. A brief business meeting was held for the election of officers.  The elected candidates were congratulated by all. Next came the raffle drawing.  The raffle prizes, two Florida Grand Opera subscriptions for next season and a cruise certificate from Holland America Lines for up to seven days for two people aboard any Holland America ship to Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico or Canada/New England delighted the winners!

Comments from all the guests were uniformly enthusiastic and The Opera Society looks forward to repeating this wonderful event next year.

This event was very successful in raising funds for Florida Grand Opera thanks to the generosity of Holland America Lines with their much appreciated community outreach, support and the donation of the cruise certificate; to Coldwell Banker Cares Foundation for their generous donation towards the event and to the dedication and hard work of many of The Opera Society’s board members.

Betty Young provided all the great photos.

[simpleviewer gallery_id=”44″]

{ 0 comments }

Louise and Terry “O’Moore” were delightful hosts at their lovely home as part of The Opera Society’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner series. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were followed by a wonderful menu of traditional dishes including corned beef and cabbage, parsley potatoes, glazed carrots, red and white wines, key lime pie, Irish Mist and coffee.

To make the evening really special the guests were treated to the beautiful singing of Louise and Terry performing well-known Irish songs.

Thank you to Lesleen Bolt for the great pictures!

[simpleviewer gallery_id=”43″]

{ 0 comments }

On Thursday, February 19, twenty nine ladies of The Opera Society gathered at Umberto’s of Long Island for a delicious Italian lunch. Part of the Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner series, this event is anticipated by many members. Each year we enjoy different cuisines in different venues.

This year we decorated the single long table with Sunflowers and enjoyed a sumptuous salad served family style and red wine also served family style. The guests had a choice of Mussels Marinara, Chicken Marsala or Stuffed Shells. Dessert was spumoni and a very large cup of coffee! Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed their authentically Italian meal. Join us next year in a new venue!! Enjoy the photos taken by our own Betty Young!!

[simpleviewer gallery_id=”42″]

{ 1 comment }

The Opera Society celebrated its first Lyrical Luncheon on November 20, 2014 at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club attended by almost 50 guests. Chair Barbara Parent welcomed the members and guests. Co-Presidents Ruth Molina and Eric Koskoff spoke about up-coming events including the January 29, 2015 Lyrical Luncheon, which will be held at the Coral Ridge Country Club and the March 21, 2015 Lyrical Luncheon, which will be held onboard the Holland America ms Westerdam cruise ship with a 45 minute performance by our Young Artists. Also planned for March 6-7 is the Sarasota Opera Trip. For more information contact Ruth Molina.

Other events coming up: December – April are the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner series. Chairpersons Claire Crawford and Caroline Seabright had the sign up sheets available for the members.

New member, Barry Rabinowitz, was welcomed.

Justin Moss then gave his presentation “The Lower Voices You Can’t Do Without Them”. Young Artists Raehann Bryce-Davis, Mezzo Soprano, and Isaac Bray, Baritone, sang several beautiful arias to illustrate the variety of roles these voices sing from hero (or heroine) to villain (or villainess). The piano accompanist, Maria Paulina Garcia, performed beautifully. The guests thoroughly enjoyed the performance and luncheon!

Enjoy the delightful photos courtesy of Betty Young!

[simpleviewer gallery_id=”34″]

{ 0 comments }