Southampton - On Saturday, June 25, 2011, the Long Island Opera will present "The Golden Age of Opera: 50 Years of Passion" at the Southampton Cultural Center's Levitas Center for the Arts. Following a wine and cheese reception, an opening act featuring dancers from the New Hyde Park-based Eglevsky Ballet, the only remaining professional ballet company on Long Island, will commence the evening's performance with a Spanish-style ballet. For the main act, professional singers from Long Island Opera will perform selections from Carmen, La Boheme, Manon, Rigoletto and Il Trovatore.

Concertgoers will also have the opportunity to view various pieces of opera memorabilia. Programs from past shows, stage props such as medieval and conquistador swords used in opera duels, and costumes from the old Metropolitan Opera including one worn by world famous baritone Robert Merrill are just some of the many items that will be on display. Additionally, Italian opera posters donated by Fiesta Arts Corporation of Glen Head, will also be available for purchase.

According to Long Island Opera Executive Director Joy Berta, the June 25 concert is a collaborative effort. "Our June 25 concert is one way for us to celebrate Long Island's culture and arts," said Berta. "Collaborating with other Long Island organizations, such as the Eglevsky Ballet, strengthens our ability to increase the vitality of opera and the arts on Long Island."

Tenor Alok Kumar.(Courtesy Photo: Southamtpon Cultural Center)

Additionally, said Berta, the concert is the perfect way to celebrate the organization's 50th anniversary. "We have so many reasons to celebrate," said Berta. "The June 25 concert is not only a celebration of Long Island Opera's 50 years but the bright future of opera and a chance to celebrate culture and the arts on Long
Island."

In the beginning, the opera company performed a handful of operas throughout Nassau County but by the mid-1980s its repertory had flourished and Long Island Opera acquired the props, sets and costumes, along with scores to over two-dozen operas and operettas. However, with government arts funding low during the 1990s, the opera company could no longer afford to put on lavish shows and by 2001 the company had gone defunct until Berta came on in August 2009. Her ultimate goal: to bring first-class opera back to Long Island.

An opera singer herself, Berta has dedicated the last two years volunteering her time and talent to see it through. In fact, in the past year, she has worked to organize and perform in Long Island Opera events throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
"Long Islanders should be really proud to have their own opera company," said Berta. "We offer the same high-quality performances as those presented by opera companies in Manhattan. We hope Long Islanders come to our June 25 performance and see for themselves they don't have to travel into the city to experience great opera."

Mezzo-soprano Kristen Lamb .(Courtesy Photo: Southampton Cultural Center)

"The Golden Age of Opera: 50 Years of Passion" will feature the talents of professional singers, including tenors Paolo Buffagni and Alok Kumar; mezzo-soprano Kristen Lamb; baritone Dan Klein; and sopranos Maryann Mootos, Ashley Bell, and Berta along with accompanist Fabio Bezuti.

The concert will take place at the Southampton Cultural Center's Levitas Center for the Arts in Southampton. The event will kick off with a wine and cheese reception at 6 p.m. followed by the concert scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 (VIP reserved seating); $35 (general admission) and $20 (students). Tickets can also be purchased at the door but advance purchase is recommended to secure a seat.

"Fifty years is a long time," said Berta. "We are so fortunate to be celebrating half a century and hope Long Islanders will come celebrate with us on June 25."