Dan's Papers - August 17, 2007 - Opera Of The Hamptons Selling Out

A few weeks ago, something special happened in the world of music on Long Island. In fact, two very important things to be precise. For the first time the beautiful tasting room of Duck Walk North, one of the newest additions to the seemingly ever-growing list of wineries on the North Fork, hosted the Opera of the Hamptons' talented artists as they performed the wonderful opera 'La Boheme.' Secondly, the organizers, very reluctantly, had to turn would be patrons away because the event was totally sold out and this is something that has not happened in recent seasons.

Dr. Herodotus (Dan) Damianos was the first patron of the company many years ago now and has staunchly supported them over the years making the facilities at his Pindar Winery available for operas and concerts. Now, with the opening of his newest winery, he has continued this tradition and he must have been a very proud man to hear the tumultuous reception given to the artists by the packed audience. Kristin Sampson as the ailing Mimi and Joseph Tsotsorus as her lover Rodolfo had all of the charisma and synergy required for these demanding roles and their performances, coupled with those of Jacqueline Buffone as the tempestuous Musetta and her enamored Marcello (William Amory) and their impecunious friends, Nathan Bauer in the role of Colline and David Pressler as Schaunard made this an evening to remember.

Now the company returns once again to Duck Walk North on Saturday August 18th at 5.30 p.m., this time to enthrall their audience with a wide-ranging program of Broadway tunes and operatic arias. This is a specially festive summertime performance where you are invited to come early, have a picnic on the grounds - drink a glass or two, (or a bottle or two), of Duck Walk wines with your repast and then just settle back and enjoy something that you can experience in very few places. Great music set in a beautiful outdoor vineyard setting - don't forget to bring your chairs or a blanket.

Barbara Giancola the artistic director of the company was still full of admiration for the audience at Boheme when I talked to her about the upcoming show. "This production of Boheme really was incredibly received. From the very beginning the applause was so sustained that at times I almost wondered if we would ever be able to proceed with the opera. Dr. Damianos and his staff were so very helpful to us at this new and very beautiful venue. It is always a problem to set up the stage and have the final walk through and rehearsals especially in a busy winery but the result was a tribute to everyone concerned."

The forthcoming show will really have something for everyone who enjoys music. The operatic portion of the program will feature many well-loved arias and the music of Broadway will include songs from Jekyll and Hyde; Les Miserables; Phantom Of The Opera, Hairspray and Evita. The program will also include a reminiscence of the music of the 40's; a medley of Greek, Italian and Russian songs and a tribute to that wonderful artist Paul Robeson. The international cast of singers includes Maria Ciccaglione, Shira Flam, Olga Bakali, Barbara Heller, Thomas Smargiassi, Ross Benoliel and Nathan Baer and of course the wonderful Atarah Hazzan will be the musical director.

Tickets for this evening packed with great music guaranteed to send you home with the songs playing in your mind are $45 before the evening and $55 for priority seating and are $55 on the night of the show. Tickets may be obtained by calling 631-728-8804.