Leonard Bernstein Trouble in Tahiti and A Century of Puccini Concert Double Bill at Christ and St. Stephen's Church

SAS will focus on Giacomo Puccini, the pioneer who ushered Italian opera into the twentieth century, and Leonard Bernstein, the iconic figure in twentieth-century music and musical theater. This is a unique opportunity to celebrate and delve into the masterpieces of these two musical giants.

The first half of our double bill presents a unique opportunity to explore Bernstein's 'Americanness' through his 1952 opera Trouble in Tahiti. This opera portrays a dysfunctional married couple, Dinah and Sam, in the 1950s, a reflection of Bernstein's own parents. It takes us through a day in their lives. Sam's obsession with money and superiority and Dinah's struggles as a wife and mother are beautifully depicted in the score, infused with lyricism, syncopation and jazz, a testament to Bernstein's musical genius. In the program's second half, we will pay a reverent tribute to the centennial of Puccini's death. This solemn occasion will be marked with excerpts from his famous operas, including La Boheme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot, a fitting homage to the master of Italian opera.

Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti features Mezzo Soprano Annie Chester and Baritone Muir Ingliss as Sam and Dinah. Soprano Monica Camafreita, Tenor Eric Sebek, and Baritone Jonthan R. Green are the Jazz Trio. The Puccini program features sopranos Kirsten Chambers, Rebecca Kidnie, Melanie Spector, and Gillian Watson, Mezzo Sopranos Annie Chester, Tenors Christopher Trapani and Eric Sebek, and Baritone Muir Ingliss.  Nick Stamatakis is the collaborative Pianist for the Bernstein and Mary Pinto is the collaborative Pianist for the Puccini..

ABOUT SAS PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY, INC.

SAS Performing Arts  Opera focuses its efforts to promote the operatic art form by bringing this music, in a concert format , for audiences to enjoy thus enriching the community's cultural life.  We anticipate the exhilarating connection generated between music, text, and drama will become more immediate in an intimate, up-close atmosphere.

We program performances of acknowledged masterpieces as well as rarely performed works that deserve a more extensive hearing. We introduce the brilliant talents of emerging artists, together with professional opera singers. Our season is comprised of complete concert operas, young audience events, and concerts.