WCSU alumni singers to join Opera Ensemble for Dec. 6 concert

DANBURY, CONN. — More than a dozen of the most gifted voice students who have graduated from the Western Connecticut State University music program since 2009 will join current students of the WCSU Opera Ensemble in a concert featuring scenes from opera classics on Saturday, Dec. 6.

“Opera Scenes” will be presented at 8 p.m. in the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall of the Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC) on the WCSU Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. Admission will be free; seats must be reserved online in advance by accessing the concert listing on the Eventbrite.com website at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wcsu-opera-scenes-tickets-14549980383?aff=eac2.

The concert program will provide an opportunity for Western Department of Music alumni to reprise scenes from operas in which they performed during the past decade, presenting them for the first time on the concert hall stage of the recently opened VPAC. The WCSU Opera Ensemble will accompany the featured alumni in scenes from a diverse array of opera classics including “The Marriage of Figaro,” “The Magic Flute,” “Carmen” and “Die Fledermaus.”

Performers returning to Western for the “Opera Scenes” concert will be 2009 graduates Jennifer Caraluzzi, a native of Bethel, and Victoria Chiera, of Brookfield; 2010 graduate Karolina Wojteczko, of Derby; 2011 graduates Anne Bryson, of Shelton, Amanda Forker, of Wethersfield, and Scott Towers, of Branford; 2012 graduates Cidalia Alves, of Stamford, Lauren Brown, of Danbury, and Brendan Stone, of Wolcott; 2013 graduates Jean Carlos Rodriguez, of Waterbury, and Ashley Zadravecz, of Fairfield; and 2014 graduates Benedetta Cordaro, of Trumbull, and Rachel Pelchat, of Litchfield.

Professor of Music Dr. Margaret Astrup, director of opera and vocal area coordinator in the Department of Music, observed that the concert will showcase Western graduates who have continued to grow and develop their musical talents.

“I wish I could have invited back many more of our former opera students to sing in this wonderful new concert hall.” Astrup said. “I have had the privilege of working with so much young talent. Several of our former voice and opera students have earned advanced degrees from prestigious conservatories, and many of our graduates are singing professionally.”

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.