Fundraising Letter January 2015

January 2015

Dear Friends and Supporters of Inter-Cities,

Good health and happiness to you all in the coming year!

2015 is rich with plans and events, and we want to share some of them with you. Two events are very much worth noting: First, on October 25, 2015 in New York City, we are holding the 14th Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition. This segues into the second event – performances in Venice, Rome and southern Poland of Peruvian composer, Alejandro Allauca’s, beautiful Missa Andina with the 2015 Altamura Competition winners as soloists. This magnificent work for piano, organ, choir and vocal soloists, has already been performed in Milan, Spain, Peru and the United States.

Discussions are under way to perform the Missa Andina also at the Vatican.

It is worth noting that Inter-Cities, our company under whose umbrella the Altamura/Caruso Competition takes place, has always steadfastly adhered to our founding principles of social justice and reverence for life. We support deserving, young talented musicians who reflect these values in their careers. Read on, because this has particular significance.

As many of you know, Auschwitz is located near Krakow, and 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of its liberation. On the occasion of Poland’s Independence and the American Veterans’ Day, and with our founding principles firmly in mind, we can think of nothing more appropriate than to perform Maestro Allauca’s Missa Andina there. Our program, “In Remembrance, Never Again,” will be dedicated to the memory of those who perished there so many years ago. We feel humbled to be able to present some of the world’s finest musical talents, joined by our recent competition winners, for this momentous performance.

As always, supporting and launching the careers of deserving young musicians from around the world is costly. We’ve been very fortunate to have been awarded a considerable grant from the Agnes Varis Foundation. But to provide opportunities for young singers while participating in a once-in-a-lifetime event such as this, we need further financial resources to help us cover transportation and housing costs, musicians’ fees, hall rentals, and so much more.

Our European tour is of tremendous importance, affording valuable experience and exposure for our young winners. All those who have signed on to help will receive grateful acknowledgement in our programs. Further, we hope you will gain satisfaction in knowing that, while supporting young deserving talent, we are also imparting the values of tolerance, compassion, dignity, reverence for life – and doing what is right. We can think of no project that more adequately, more powerfully, more beautifully addresses these principles than Maestro Allauca’s Missa Andina.

We hope you will join us in adding your name to those who are contributing to this noble cause and occasion. Know that every dollar you contribute will support deserving young musicians while helping to make the world the place we want it to be.

With our deepest thanks,

Leonard and Carmela Altamura
Inter-Cities Performing Arts, Inc.
4000 Bergenline Avenue
Union City, New Jersey 07087
USA

T: 201-863-8724 www.altocanto.org
E: icpainc@optonline.net or altacfa@gmail.com

 

Christmas Concert – November 30 2014

The Altamura Center For Arts

Presents

Christmas Concert

Sunday November 30, 2014

christmas-around-the-world

November-30-Concert

Masterclass & Country Festival May 7-10 2015

Carmela Altamura, singing teacher and President of Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition

Casale Di Tormaggiopre

Pomezia Roma
Masterclass & Country Festival May 7-10 2015, Italy

Masterclass & Country Festival May 7-10 2015

Masterclass & Country Festival May 7-10 2015

 

“Working with Carmela Altamura was an amazing experience. Her approach to singing is so natural, and my voice seemed to respond very quickly. It feels and sounds more opened, and the language coaching was an eye-opener.  I will definitely be interested in doing another masterclass with her again.”
Jodi Karem

“I would like to express you my gratefulness for your exciting service to highest traditions of Italian opera. I have got a priceless experience and developed my professional skills during these four days more than last four years.”
Svetalana Bedrinets

Dinner Theater – Sunday November 30 2014

coming soon!

DINNER THEATER

@THE ALTAMURA CENTER

404 Winter Clove Rd, Round Top, NY  12473

BROADWAY, OPERA, COMEDY, JAZZ

Celebrate change of foliage: Sun, 10/5             chase away winter blues: Sun, 11/30

Happy Hour at 4 pm     Dinner and Performance at 5 pm

FINE CUISINE    LOVELY AMBIENCE    WORLD-CLASS ARTISTS

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MEMORABLE FUN EVENINGS    RAFFLE    DOOR PRIZES

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$35 per person    Cash Bar

The best!  Abundant! Affordable!

518-622-0070 or 201-863-8724 Limited Reservations

icpainc@optonline.net   www.altocanto.org

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THE HARRIS FAMILY TO PERFORM AT ALTAMURA CENTER DINNER THEATER

[box] Audiences know Lawrence Harris as an operatic baritone whose performances have won accolades worldwide. What many might not know is that Harris was a former NFL linebacker for the Houston Oilers. Stranger things have happened, but one has to admit his is a career path more unusual than most. On Sunday, Harris will tap in to his extensive repertoire to sing solo, duo, and in various other combinations with his talented family. On the program will be songs by the Italian composer, Paolo Tosti, which Harris and his wife, the pianist Renee Guerrero, recorded for their recently released CD, Romanze Joining the couple will be their children, 17-year-old Sydney and 14-year-old Quintin, in selections from “The Sound of Music,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” and a Neapolitan art song by beloved opera composer, Gaetano Donizetti.[/box]

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Cultivating, ethnic, social, professional and cultural relations in the world through the arts

Dear Friends,

Numerous faithful followers were deeply saddened by the idea of closing the Altamura Arts Center. Through the years many have enjoyed the high level of our performances. Closing was a painful decision for us, compelled only by the high operational costs. After careful thought, we have decided to remain open on a trial basis as a dinner/theater. The plan is to raise additional funds by presenting the best of many arts disciplines: Broadway, opera, jazz, pop, dance, comedy, instrumental and vocal programs, in addition to home cooking and dancing (see enclosed flier with dates of events). Before closing for winter, we can produce two events: A welcome for the coming two seasons — colorful fall and dazzling winter. These can be memorable, enriching and fun events. If you like the idea, please say so by returning the tear portion at the bottom of this notice indicating which event(s) you would attend and on which committee you would like to serve. You may also make reservations. Your response will help us to adequately prepare for both events.
We need your help in making this turn of events successful. Some have already offered their assistance as volunteers. We plan to provide for you the best entertainment and cuisine at affordable prices.

Thank you! ARRIVEDERCI!
Carmela Altamura

 

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Simonetta Tancredi – All-Peruvian Solo Program – August 22 2014

Italian Pianist Simonetta Tancredi to Perform All-Peruvian Solo Program on August 22 at the Altamura Center for the Arts

ROUND TOP, NY – Guest artist and well-known Italian pianist, Simonetta Tancredi, will present a solo piano concert on Friday evening, August 22 at 8 p.m. at the Altamura Center for the Arts in Round Top. An Alfred Cortot International Piano Competition winner, Ms. Tancredi will perform works by the Peruvian composer, Alejandro Núnez-Allauca.

Simonetta-TancrediNo stranger to international concerts halls, the young pianist has performed in New York, Miami, Lugano, Frankfurt, Belgrade, Oita (Japan), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Budapest, Mumbai, Buenos Aires, and in the major cities of Italy including Rome, Naples and Milan. She has appeared with conductors Riccardo Muti, Lorin Maazel, Riccardo Chailly, Kazushi Ono, Vasily Petrenko, Roberto Abbado, Nello Santi, Vladimir Jurwoski and Mstislav Rostropovich.

Holding degrees in piano from the San Pietro a MaJella Conservatory at the Vincenzo Vitale School, and in harpsichord from Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, Ms. Tancredi also specialized in chamber music, studying at the Chigiana Academy in Siena and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. In 1996, after having won a competition for a chair as “singers’ coach” at the famed La Scala in Milan, Ms. Tancredi served as a master vocal coach there until 2008.

In an unusual and varied solo piano program with works by the Peruvian composer, Alejandro Núnez-Allauca, Ms. Tancredi will interpret music that carries the influence of the early Christian church, dance and folk themes from South America, and techniques and sonorities from more contemporary times.

The pianist was recently invited by the prestigious recording label, Deutches Grammaphon, to prepare a recording with world-famous tenor, Placido Domingo.

Carmela Altamura, co-founder of the Center, said, “On this, our last summer series at the Center, we wanted to present three very special farewell concerts. Simonetta Tancredi is a beautiful pianist, and her program is an usual and very appealing one. I can promise that it will be special in every way.”

 

Summer 2014 Concerts

OUTSTANDING OPERATIC PRESENTATIONS

Friday, August 22, 2014, 8:00 pm
Special performance; SIMONETTA TANCREDI, pianist/conductor, La Scala, Italy
SOPRANO, MARSHA THOMPSON. COMPETITION WINNER

 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 AT 3 PM

IMMORTAL SCENES IN OPERA

MOZART TO VERDI, ORCHESTRA, CONDUCTED BY ROGER MALOUF, METROPOLITAN OPERA
Emilia Diakopoulou; Mika Nisula; Maryla Madura; Jiulia Rolwing
ALTAMURA/CARUSO INTERNATIONAL VOICE COMPETITION WINNERS FROM
RUSSIA, ITALY, GREECE, POLAND, NETHERLANDS, CANADA, USA

Frank Fliska, Svetlana Bedrinets, Kwang Kyu, Pauline Van Der Roest, Anne Tormela
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 3 PM

CELEBRATED VIRTUOSI IN PIANO AND SONG MASTERPIECES

Critically acclaimed pianist Cristina Altamura; & Lorenzo Di Bella, first prize/gold medal winner of the Vladimir Horowitz Piano Competition, Kiev, Russia


 

Admission $35 $30 Snrs Res. only. 518-622-0070 or 201-863-8724 icpainc@optonline.net www.altocanto.org
Altamura Center for the Arts
404 Winter Clove Rd,, Round Top, New York 12473

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Summer-2014-Concerts

Parade Notice for New Yorkers

GIUSEPPE VERDI BICENTENNIAL

PARADE, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2013, 12:30 PM

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AT VERDI SQUARE, W. 72 STREET, BET. BROADWAY & AMSTERDAM
THE PUBLIC WILL CONVENE TO SING ‘VA PENSIERO’, FROM VERDI’S NABUCCO. (SEATING IS LIMITED). Read more

Giuseppe Verdi Commemorative Ceremony

On Sunday, October 6th, at 12:30 pm, a group of Verdi lovers, and members of the Italian American Community will meet at Verdi Square, 72 St., between, Amsterdam & Broadway, to sing “VaPensiero” from Verdi’s Nabucco.
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Cavalleria Rusticana

ALTAMURA CENTER FOR THE ARTS

OPERA AND THEATER SEASON

PRESENTS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013, 2 PM
A MURDER TRIAL SCENE OF STUNNING INTENSITY TAKEN FROM THE OPERA

SACCO AND VANZETTI, BY ANTON COPPOLA

FOLLOWED BY PIETRO MASCAGNI’S

CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA Read more

Verdi’s Bicentennial Celebration

ALTAMURA CENTER FOR THE ARTS

OPERA AND THEATER SEASON

PRESENTS
SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013, 2 PM

GIUSEPPE VERDI BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
GUEST ARTISTS: BARITONE KRZYSZTOF BIERNACKI; SOPRANO ANNE TORMELA; Comments on Giuseppe Verdi by Soprano Carmela Altamura

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Mezzo-Soprano Anna Tonna; Soprano Ania Hejnar; Baritone Krzysztof; Tenor Luigi Boccia, Soprano Anna Tormela

 

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