Welcome Back Bel Canto

Written By: Dr. Michael Crowe, Bel Canto | Issue: September 2024

The 32nd annual Bel Canto Recital will be held in Highlands on Sunday, September 8, at 4:00 P.M. in the Highlands Performing Arts Center.

This will be followed by a gala dinner at the Highlands Country Club. Our generous patrons have contributed to the success of Bel Canto, and they have enabled us to fully fund music education at two preschool programs, supplement music education at our public school, fund a college scholarship in the performing arts, and sponsor special art exhibitions at The Bascom.

In total, Bel Canto has contributed over $800,000 to these worthy programs. The recipients of our gifts certainly benefit from your generosity, and a benefit to you is an increased tax deduction.

This year’s artists are Aviva Fortunata, Anna Kelly, Derrek Stark, and Daniel Belcher. These artists are internationally known, and it is remarkable that all four will be together for this event.

Soprano Aviva Fortunata, named twice as one of the Canadian Broadcasting Company’s Top Canadian Classical Artists Under 30, is earning international attention with her “velvety timbre”, “gleaming tone”, and voice “of diva soprano quality and strength”. Ms. Fortunata’s opera credits include main roles at Pacific Opera Victoria, Calgary Opera, l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Sarasota Opera. She is on the Metropolitan Opera roster.

Praised as a “divine” mezzo soprano (Palm Beach Post) having a “rich,” and “beautifully emotional” sound (DC Metro Arts), Anna Kelly is an up-and-coming mezzo who was recently named a National Semi-finalist in the 2022 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. She was a finalist with the Giulio Gari competition and Opera Florham, and the winner of the James Toland Tier 2 competition. Anna has sung major roles with the Palm Beach Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, and Sarasota Opera.

Hailed by Opera News for his “handsome sound,” and described as a “standout” by the Wall Street Journal, tenor Derrek Stark is quickly establishing a reputation as an elegant performer with nuanced and stylish singing. He has sung major roles with Opera Tampa, Eugene Opera, Lakeland Symphony, Gulfshore Opera, Bar Harbor Music Festival, and Opera Fuoco. He is also on The Metropolitan Opera roster.

GRAMMY® Award-winning baritone Daniel Belcher has graced the stages of the world’s foremost music capitals. His commanding presence and remarkable talent have left an indelible mark on audiences in cities that include Paris, London, New York, Tokyo, Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid, Toronto, San Francisco and Houston.

Tickets will be available in mid-August. For information about this recital series, please call The Bascom at (828) 526-4949.