Ms. Cristina Fontanelli’s portrayal of Tosca is “Share elegant Opera.”
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Cristina Fontanelli as “Tosca” at Duck Walk Vineyards an Evening of Opera in the Hamptons - Photo by Rochelle Sloman
Cognac chats with Cristina Fontanelli – video by Rochelle Slomin
An evening of Opera in the Hamptons was most enjoyable at a Performance of Tosca performed in its 18th season.
Giacomo Puccini’s “Tosca” took place at Duck Walk Vineyards Saturday evening June 20th. I had a chance to chat with Dr. Dan Damianos better known as “Dr. Dan to his friends and colleagues. Dr. Dan expresses, “When one thinks of opera three things come in to play, poetry, music and drama. You put all three together you have Opera.”
Australian tenor, Benjamin Sloman - Photo by Rochelle Slomin
Count Vlad and Soprano Star Cristina Fontanelli pose for a photo-op – Photo by Rochelle Slomin
Dr. Dan talked in length about his love of opera, his relationship with Opera legend Maria Callas, and his fondness for Soprano Star Christina Fontanelli who portrayed Tosca. The romantic opera Tosca still thrills and arouses audiences with its drama, violence and mystery. Ms. Fontanelli’s portrayal of Tosca is “Share elegant Opera.”
It was the dream of our founder, Dr. Herodotus “Dan” Damianos, that helped create the winemaking industry on Long Island in the early 1980’s. In 1994 he and his son Alexander founded Duck Walk Vineyards. The Normandy Chateau-style building in Water Mill, a true Hamptons landmark, became home to what has quickly evolved into one of the most well-known names in Long Island wine.
For more info about Duckwalk Vineyards please visit: http://duckwalk.com/
Cognac chats with Dr. Dan – Video by Rochelle Slomin Part 1
Cognac chats with Dr. Dan – Video by Rochelle Slomin Part 2
Cognac chats with Dr. Dan – Video by Rochelle Slomin Part 3
Much like her predecessor Maria Callas, Cristina Fontanelli has toured throughout the world singing for royalty and heads of state.
She has toured the Middle East extensively as an “Ambassador of Opera”. Her operatic repertoire includes such heroines as Mimi, Musetta, Violetta and the title role of “Madame Butterfly”. Ms. Fontanelli has also toured as a solo concert artist in major concert halls throughout Japan, Korea, Italy, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States. She sings and entertains in Japanese, Korean, Italian, Neopolitan, French, German, Spanish and Yiddish.
Many major publications, including The New York Times, have praised Ms. Fontanelli’s singing as having “technical ease” and “flaunting bravura”, but perhaps this quote taken from a recent review best sums up the artistry of this versatile soprano – she is a “show stopper”.
I also had the chance to converse with magnificent tenor Benjamin Sloman who portrayed Mario Cavaradossi in Hamptons adaption of “Tosca.”
Australian tenor, Benjamin Sloman has performed internationally on opera stages and as a soloist in recitals and concerts. Described as a “standout performer [with] a powerful and ringing voice” by the East Hampton and Southampton Press, recent operatic credits include Die Walküre, Il Trovatore, La Boheme, Don Pasquale, Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, Salome, Carmen and Tosca with Opera New York, One World Symphony, Sydney Lyric Opera, and Opera of the Hamptons.
On the concert stage Mr. Sloman has made numerous recent appearances including: An Italian Night, Music of Puccini, Verdi and Napoli with Opera of the Hamptons, Classical Concert Starring Emerging Artists with Opera of the Hamptons at the Levitas Hall, Southampton Cultural Center, Summer Nights Concert Series at Brighton Beach, and regular concert appearances with Allegro Opera, including a recital honoring Puccini’s 150th Anniversary at the 92nd Street Y Tisch Center for the Arts. Throughout 2009, Mr. Sloman will be appearing in recital at the Bechstein Piano Hall in New York City.
Treat yourself to glamour and elegance one evening and attend an Opera in the Hamptons.
For more info please visit: For more information and for tickets, go to Opera of the Hamptons.
For more information about Ms. Cristina Fontanelli please visit http://www.cristinafontanelli.com
and to learn more about Benjamin Sloman please visit http://benjaminsloman.com
Until my next celebrity event darlings,
Pink Champagne Kisses
Cognac Wellerlane