Opera Exposures to Present Holiday Festival Concert At St. Mark's Church

Opera Exposures (www.operaexposures.org), a not-for-profit tax exempt 501c3 organization founded in 2004, will present a Holiday Festival performance at historic St. Mark's Church (10th Street and Second Avenue) on Sunday, November 15, at 3:30 PM, it was announced by the organization's founder/producer Edna Greenwich.

The concert will feature arias from La Boheme, Handel and traditional spirituals, performed by sopranos Sandra Mercado and Kelli Butler, tenor Robert Mack and baritone Kenneth Overton. They will be supported by flautist Stephanie Kwak and pianist/musical director Jonathan Kelly. The narrator will be Opera Exposures' Artistic Director and resident bon vivant Dwight Owsley. General admission is $20 and youngsters 16 and younger will be admitted free.

"Founded in 2003, Opera Exposures is dedicated to presenting seasoned vocal professionals and bright, young talents of tomorrow in diverse venues at accessible ticket prices," says Ms. Greenwich, who was born and raised in Staten Island. "We believe that opera is an experience that can be enjoyed by everyone, young and old, as well as aficionados of all forms of music. Our first performance in February, 2004 received a warm and enthusiastic response that has spurred us on to continue presenting exciting programs. We are also proud to have been participants in National Black History Month celebrations held at the New York City Municipal Building at One Centre Street. On October 28, 2012, in spite of the impending arrival of Hurricane Sandy, our program at St. Mark's Church was well attended and the highlight of National Opera Week. Our subsequent tribute to Licia Albanese at Snug Harbor, SI, was also warmly received."

The Holiday Festival program will include the following selections: From La Boheme (Act I): "Che gelida manina" (Robert Mack); "Si, Mi chiamano Mimi" (Sandra Mercado);

"O soave fanciulla" (Robert Mack and Sandra Mercado); From La Boheme (Act II): "Quando me'n vo" "Musetta's Waltz" (Kelli Butler). Handel arias exploring love, nature and the sensuous world: "Wher'ere You Walk" from Semele (Kenneth Overton); "V'adoro, pupille" from Giulio Cesare (Sandra Mercado); "Ombra mai fu" from Serse (Robert Mack); and "Care Selve" from Atalanta (Kelli Butler).

Franz Schubert Piano & Flute Interlude (pianist Jonathan Kelly and flautist Stephanie Kwak).

Selection of traditional spirituals (Kenneth Overton).