10 Named for Opera CT's Live July 20 'American Opera Idol' Sing-Off

Opera Connecticut has revealed the names of the 10 Finalists to "sing off" for the title of "American Opera Idol 2017" on Thursday evening, July 20 at 7 p.m. in the Pond House Café in West Hartford's Elizabeth Park. Advance purchase of audience tickets is strongly recommended: go to www.operaconnecticut.org or call Showclix at 888-718-4253. Tickets are $35 per seat; or $55 per seat with a box supper.

The 10 Finalists (in alphabetical order) are:

Stefan Barner (tenor) of Oskaloosa, Iowa and Boston, Mass.;
Kelly Curtin (soprano) of Wilmington, Del. and Alexandria, Va.;
Andrés Moreno García (tenor) of Monterrey, Mexico and Berlin, Germany;
Benedetta Orsi (mezzo soprano) of Bologna, Italy and Manhattan, NY;
Kaarin Phelps (mezzo soprano) of Ashburnham, Mass. and Houston, Texas;
Yulan Piao (soprano) of China and Manhattan, NY;
Timothy Renner (baritone) of Woodbridge, Va. and Philadelphia, Pa.;
Joseph Ryan (baritone) of Cincinnati, Ohio and Sarasota, Fla.;
Rachele Schmiege (soprano) of Kalamazoo, Mich. and Boston, Mass.; and
Brent Reilly Turner (tenor) of Singapore and Oviedo, Fla.

"Opera Connecticut created this unique live showcase for opera singers eight years ago, with a panel of expert judges, and the audience ultimately voting for the top winner - just like the popular 'Idol' TV show," explains Opera Connecticut's Artistic Director Doris Lang Kosloff. "This competitive event celebrates the beauty of operatic excellence, while introducing a wider audience to this wonderful art form."

Entries were submitted by more than 60 opera singers from around the world. The finalists will perform in a Preliminary Round that will be judged by a panel of opera professionals that include: International tenor Robert Brubaker and soprano Lynne Strow Piccolo. The judges will select four (4) Super Finalists who again will perform, and audience members will vote by text to choose the "American Opera Idol 2017." The top winner will be awarded $1,500, with other cash prizes presented to the other Super Finalists.

Looking ahead: On Friday, October 27 and Sunday, October 29, 2017, Opera Connecticut will present "Rigoletto" by Giuseppe Verdi. The production will star baritone Nelson Martinez, a Metropolitan Opera Artist and tenor Ta'u Pupu'a, a former National Football League (NFL) lineman. The Connecticut performances will be at the company's home theater, the Hoffman Auditorium in the Carol Autorino Center for the Arts at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford. "Rigoletto" tickets are available now on www.operaconnecticut.org.

Opera Connecticut produces full-length staged operas performed by singers from around the world. Founded in 1991, the company initially presented productions only in traditional concert format. In 2012, it adopted a fully staged format with props, costumes, lighting and stage direction. Since then, Opera Connecticut has produced a full-length opera every year, along with the "American Opera Idol" contest, children's operas, special concerts and gala events. Performances feature members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. A volunteer Board of Directors manages the 501(c)3 organization.

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