Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and love will soon be in the air at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle for patrons of the Toledo Opera, when it experiences the gala concert presentation known as “Viva Verdi”!

This swooning musical spectacular will be led by Maestro Thomas Conlin and feature musical performances by renowned soloists soprano Barbara Quintiliani and tenor Roy Cornelius Smith, as well as the Toledo Opera Chorus, University of Toledo Concert Chorale, Toledo Community Chorus and Toledo Symphony Orchestra.

“I absolutely love Verdi. His music is perfect for Valentine’s Day because it is just very universal and all about love, even when he is dealing with tragedy,” Smith said. “I’ve been eagerly preparing for this show since [Thomas and Renay Conlin] asked me to get involved in the fall. I first performed with the Toledo Opera a few years as Canio in ‘Pagliacci’ and have been looking forward to coming back ever since.”

Smith is a busy man; his 2008-09 season currently includes appearing as soloist in Verdi’s “Requiem” with the Eugene Symphony; as De Grieux in “Manon Lescaut” with New Orleans Opera; he performed as Calaf at Volksoper Wien and Opera Birmingham, also with Opera Carolina and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra; and as soloist in Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis” with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra. In 2007-08 he performed Calaf in Memphis and Vienna; Erik in “Der fliegende Holländer” at Opera Grand Rapids; Pinkerton at the Steyr Music Festival in Austria and at the Aspen Music Festival; and Verdi’s “Requiem” at the Kennedy Center.

Fellow soloist Barbara Quintiliani is equally at home in the concert repertoire. Quintiliani has appeared in concert with leading orchestras across the country. Recent appearances include Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9” with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Madison Symphony, her Carnegie Hall debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

“Maestro Conlin has wonderful connection with the artists on stage. He truly listens to any concerns you may have and is just very open, which is pretty rare in my experience. I just think this is going to be a really great show,” Smith said.

Tickets for “Viva Verdi!” range from $20-$75. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a Viva Amore after party at the Toledo Club where patrons can enjoy music by Hepcat Revival and a complimentary glass of champagne and gourmet appetizers. Tickets are $75.

For information, call (419) 255-SING or visit www.toledoopera.org.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Arts and Life, Opera.
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