Danbury Concert Association Opens with An Afternoon at the Opera on September 10

The Danbury Concert Association, known for its formidable classical music entertainments, will open its 2017/2018 series of four concerts with "An Afternoon at the Opera" on Sunday, September 10th at 3:00pm.

The concert will feature soprano Danielle Talamantes, tenor Brian Cheney, and mezzo-soprano Christine Antenbring, reprising their earlier, well-received performances in past Association series. Mikhail Hallak accompanies on the piano. The concert will take place at the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall, located in the stunning, state-of-the-art Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC) on Western Connecticut State University's Westside Campus in Danbury, CT (43 Lake Avenue Extension). Forming a "small opera company" on the stage, the foursome will perform selections from Puccini, Bizet, and Bernstein, among others.

Tickets are $25 per adult and may be reserved within one week of the performance by calling the WCSU box office at (203) 837 8732 or visiting danburyconcert.eventbrite.com Through a grant from the Danbury Cultural Commission, admission for those 18 and under may attend for free, although advance reservations through Eventbrite are required. Subscriptions for the season's four concerts, which include pianist Joel Fan on November 12, Primo Trio on April 15, and A Far Cry with guest artist David Shifrin on May 20, are currently available for $65.

Soprano Danielle Talamantes is an international recitalist who made her Carnegie Hall debut in a sold-out solo recital in 2007. Since then, she has sung as soprano soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Choralis, Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin, National Philharmonic Chorale & Orchestra, Oratorio Society of Virginia, Seoul Philharmonic, Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, Trujillo Symphony Orchestra of Peru, and The United States Army Chorus. In addition, she was the Soprano in Residence for the Summer 2012 and featured guest soloist at the Summer 2014 Marlboro Music Festival in Marlboro, Vermont.

Hailed by KUSC Los Angeles as the “next great tenor”, Brian Cheney, protégé of legendary tenor Jerry Hadley, has gained international acclaim for his portrayal of characters such as Don José in Carmen, Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca, Rodolfo in La bohème, the Duke in Rigoletto, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, and Canio in Pagliacci. “It is tenor Brian Cheney as the brave painter Cavaradossi who really blew me away. Cheney has that terrific tenor sound: the power, richness, and vocal color

of a high baritone combined with ringing, awe-inspiring high notes,” reported Stage and Cinema.

Mezzo Soprano Christine Antenbring has been admired throughout the world for the beauty of her voice, the incredible depth of her interpretations and the craft she brings to the stage. Her repertoire spans four centuries, in twelve different languages.

She has performed to critical acclaim in Canada, the United States and Europe at festivals and series including the New York Festival of Song, Theatre of Song (Washington), the Caramoor Festival, Bowdoin Summer Music Festival, the Steans Institute at the Ravinia Festival, Les Nuits d’hiver au Château (Belgium), Spoleto Festival (Italy) and the Marlboro Music Festival. She has appeared multiple times in recitals at Carnegie Hall (Weill)  as well as Stern Auditorium with the acclaimed Orchestra of St Luke’s.

Mikhail Hallak is one of the fastest rising musicians of this generation. He is a world renowned pianist and opera coach, and one of the foremost authorities in French diction.

For more information, directions, and to support the Danbury Concert Association, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization,  go to danburyconcert.org or call (203) 748 2177. Otis B. Driftwood says, "Ladies and gentlemen... I guess that takes in most of you...'" you're invited to join in this celebration of Opera at its best.

D
Submitted by Danbury, CT

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next