Elegant, spectacular and extravagant are words that describe the splendor of Italian opera and also Warminster Symphony Orchestra’s season-concluding “Roman Holiday,” to be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at William Tennent Auditorium, 333 Centennial Road, Warminster.
Soprano Holly Gash and baritone John Tenaglia, take center stage in singing arias from operas from the works of Verdi, Puccini, and Leoncavallo. The operatic combination of intrigue, infidelity, and treachery, with pure love and family devotion, create an irresistible story line for the stage.
Gash has graced stages in the U.S., Italy, and throughout Central America since 2003. She is thrilled to be making her encore presentation with Warminster Symphony since her debut in 2022. Gash, currently residing in New York, has performed over 30 leading roles in operas and musicals. She is a frequent guest soloist for Newtown Chamber Orchestra, New Jersey Lyric Opera and the Amici Opera of Philadelphia.
Throughout Tenaglia’s career he has sung with most of the major opera companies in the United States. These companies include Opera Delaware, Chautauqua Opera (also where he served his union apprenticeship), Opera Company of Philadelphia, New York City Opera, Pennsylvania Opera Theater, Cape Cod Lyric, Florentine Opera, Florham Opera, Berks Grand Opera, Chicago Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, Haddonfield Symphony, and Warminster Symphony.
“From ancient times to the present, the ‘Glory of Rome’ has been an irresistible magnet for world travelers; and without a doubt, opera, where exquisitely trained voices combine with dramatic stories and incredible staging, is the highest level of artistic expression,” said Joseph Lovecchio, music director. “The orchestra members, our guest stars, Holly and John, and I are excited about bringing these elements together for you, in what promises to be an unforgettable performance.”
The sonorous and expressive instrumental side of the Italian music tradition will also be featured when the orchestra performs Verdi’s Overture to “La Forza del Destino” (The Force of Destiny), and Respighi’s blockbuster “Pines of Rome.” Respighi employs nature, in this case, the centuries-old pine trees that so characteristically dominate the Roman landscape, as a point of departure for this four-movement work, which recalls memories and visions of two millennia of Roman life.
And, just as no Italian meal is complete without a few sweet desserts, WSO’s “Roman Holiday” will also include a few of the “Neapolitan Songs” made famous by Pavarotti and other singers.
Tickets at the door are $30, or $10 for students. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.warminstersymphony.org. Advance tickets are also on sale at $25, or $8 for students, cash or check only, at John S. Cryan Jewelers, 673 Second Street Pike, Southampton, 215-357-8850; and M&H Custom Framing and Gallery, 318 York Road, Warminster, 215-443-0968. For information, visit www.warminstersymphony.org. or call 215-672-9650.
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