FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

Contact: Carmela Altamura
518-622-0070 or 201-863-8724
Altamura Center for the Arts
404 Winter Clove Road
Round Top, NY 12473
t: 518-622-0070 e: icpainc@optonline.net

THE HARRIS FAMILY TO PERFORM AT

ALTAMURA CENTER DINNER THEATER

Round Top, New York. September 18 – On Sunday, October 5 at 4 p.m., the Altamura Center will play host to the famous Harris Family, along with The Good Times Band from Windham, as they perform in the “Change of Foliage” dinner theater program. Happy hour and dancing will begin at 4 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner and performance at 5 p.m.

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.

When Lawrence Harris embarked upon his dramatic career change, he was summoned to a study program at the Metropolitan Opera. He and Guerrero, who received their early training in Texas, moved to the New York Metropolitan area. Harris has since appeared in over 30 leading roles in opera houses worldwide. The New York Times music critic, Bernard Holland, wrote that

Lawrence Harris is gifted with “a major voice” and that “he established himself overnight as an important Verdi baritone.”

Harris has appeared in many of the world’s most prestigious concert venues such a Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and has performed for heads of state from four continents. A winner of both the First Prize and Audience Award in the Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition, he has appeared on CNN, ESPN, CBC/Radio-Canada, and in other media outlets.

Upon arriving in New York, pianist Renee Guerrero earned her master’s degree and professional studies certificate in piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music, where she was invited to teach in both the college and preparatory divisions. She made her New York debut with the Yamaha Young Artists Showcase and has since performed at Carnegie Hall, Weill Hall, Merkin Hall and CAMI Hall.

As a collaborative artist, Guerrero has performed with the Bronx Opera, New Rochelle Opera, VoiceExperience with Sherrill Milnes, the Altamura Arts Festival, and the Manhattan School of Music’s ArtReach. She is on the piano faculty at the Westchester Conservatory of Music and, last summer, joined the faculty of the Narnia Festival in Terni, Italy. In addition to accompanying family members, Guerrero will perform the solo version of the much-loved Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin on the October 5 program.

17-year-old singer and actress, Sydney Harris, made her professional debut at 8 as a child chorister in Opera North’s production of Tosca, and has since appeared with professional companies such as the Bronx Opera, Opera Company of Brooklyn, New Rochelle Opera and the New York City Opera Children’s Chorus. She made her solo debut in Pergolesi’s comic opera, La Serva Padrona, and has also appeared in The Wizard of Oz, Annie Get Your Gun, and Yeast Nation.

This past summer Sydney attended the Bel Canto Institute in Florence, Italy. She is the
founder/director of The Salt Club (Society for Artistic & Literary Teens) as well as the Teen

Acting Intensive at HB Studios. In the fall of 2014, she will perform in The Mermaid’s Legs at
The Tank in New York City.

Quintin Harris, 14, made his stage debut as the Lord High Drummer Boy in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Gondoliers with Opera North. He has since appeared in community and professional productions such as Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver, Willy Wonka, and Yeast Nation. As a member of the Hudson River Children’s Chorus, he performed in a live televised concert with Susan Boyle on The Today Show. At age 9, Quintin sang the role of Gherardino in Puccini’s opera, Gianni Schicchi, under the baton of world-famous conductor, Anton Coppola, at the Altamura Festival.

This past summer, Quintin was selected to join the Teen Summer Institute at The Wooster Group, and this fall he will join the Teen Acting Intensive at HB Studios. He will also appear in the upcoming production of The Mermaid’s Legs at The Tank in New York City.

The Good Times Band, a popular Windham-based duo, has appeared for organizations such as the Greene County Council of the Arts, and for countless events throughout New York State. They’ve also performed in conjunction with artists such as Lex Grey and with groups such as Dram, the Irish rock band. They will grace the Altamura Center stage during the cocktail hour.

With plans to close the Altamura Center at summer’s end, co-founder/director Carmela Altamura, said that the response from many area patrons and audience members had been so overwhelming, that she and her husband, co-founder Leonard Altamura, had decided to remain open for the time being. “We have been deeply touched by the response, and we felt it was only fair to our audiences that we continue to offer our programs,” Mrs. Altamura said. “It is a labor of love, and we have wonderful offerings on board for October and November.”

Altamura Center for the Arts
404 Winter Clove Road
Round Top, NY 12473
T: 518-622-0070 or 201-863-8724 Contact Us
Tickets: $35 per person (wine and beer not included)

 

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NEWSLETTER, CHRISTMAS, 2013

Inter-Cities Performing Arts, Inc.,  ICPAINC, 

Altamura International Voice Academy

 Union City, New Jersey

A subsidiary of the Altamura Center for the Arts, Round Top, New York 

Looking back to 2013, some of it planned and some unplanned, it can be said that we covered much territory.   Of course, the second Agnes Varis grant of $50,000 helped us immensely.  What a pleasure it is to have been able to help numerous talents, especially in this punishing economy.   We received thanks upon thanks from the artists who did not expect anything and who did not know how they were going to continue their vocal coaching.  Truly, this is faith in action, to receive something hoped for and for which there is no evidence.   This is why we tell our young artists to persevere, for we do not know what awaits us at the next turn.

This past summer, we produced Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana to a full-capacity audience.  Stage directed by Camille Coppola, it was artistically a great success.

Many friends, from Ieri  Oggi  Domani, a long-standing Italian American organization from New Jersey, came by bus, 90 in all.  We cannot thank them enough for supporting us for the second year, thanks to Giulio Picolli, President, and his administration.  And what about our Greene County friends?  By word of mouth, they too continue to grow in number.  Several of them are active as volunteers.  They are a blessing.  To these, we express deep appreciation.   Every year, we enter new and uncharted territory, but with God’s Divine Providence, we manage to complete our work.  THANK YOU!.  You will always have a place in our hearts.

In this journey of trust and faith, we concluded the year on December 8 with a soiree that featured voice students and artists from the USA, Canada, Italy and Greece.  Some came asking for a scholarship.  In order to find a solution to this request, too painful for us to refuse, we formed a voice academy with a fully developed curriculum, a requirement needed by the Fulbright Program.  In addition, after students begin to improve in development, we offer three more years of applied studies, with repertoire appropriate to each voice’s category.  Without wanting, expecting or imagining, we find ourselves now with a new program, the Altamura International Voice Academy, a subsidiary of the Altamura Center for the Arts, funded by the Agnes Varis Foundation and Inter-Cities Performing Arts, Inc.  May that same Divine Providence provide us with the energy to keep up with so many demands.

On a personal note, my daughter Cristina is preparing to concertize in Canada.  Her husband, Dr. Adam Sliwinski, and his associates, So Percussion, continue their innovative performances to sold-out Carnegie Hall audiences.  Not bad!  Adam is on the faculties of Bard College and guest teacher at Princeton University.  For some people, success is not intoxicating – a rare occurrence.  When invited to our home, Adam still offers to wash dishes after a meal.  He even offered to group my recipes in a cook book.

Finally, after much struggle, prayers and sighing, my son Lenny, who six years ago received a new kidney donated by his wife Iris, earned national honors for his excellence in Computer Science/Information Technology and Studies in Network Security. The next step is landing a satisfying job!  Good luck Lenny!  Your parents are so proud of you!  My daughter-in-law Iris, more secure now with her English, is working at Provident Bank.  Good for you, Iris!

I nearly forgot. The Giuseppe Verdi Parade in New York City was well attended as were the Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition finals that followed at the Christ and St. Stephen Church.  The level of excellence was so exceptionally high, that our request to the Agnes Varis Foundation for additional funding was quickly and favorably received.  Within one week, the trustees sent an additional $10,000 to distribute, $1,000 each among the ten finalists.  PRIZES: 1ST. $12,500 – 2ND. $7,500 3RD.  $5,000.  It must be noted that this year, our eminent jury, Maestro Anton Coppola, Krzysztof Biernacki, Maria Knapik, Roger Malouf, Lewis Ehlers, Francisco Casanova, Camille Coppola, myself and my husband Leonard,  spent three hours making final decisions.  What a dedicated and most professional team!

A special word of appreciation to, Altamura and Crossin Law Offices

The Agnes Varis Foundation trustees, Sami Harawi, Paul Feuerman and George Svokos,

Robert Zaccone and the  Columbian Associations;   Dr. and Mrs. Michael Altamura;    Onofrio Petruzzella, President of Societa’ Unita;  Giulio Picolli  and administration of IERI  OGGI  DOMANI;  Dr. and Mrs. Mehdi Shaari;   Congressman Frank Guarini;  past patron, Jersey City Developer, Joseph Panepinto  America Oggi, Italian/American National Newspaper

Much appreciation to Natalia Quintavalle, Consul General of Italy in New York and  Giorgio Lipton, Founder/President , Verdi Square Festival   of the Arts at Verdi Square,  for facilitating the  ICPAINC’s  Verdi Parade at Verdi Square on October 6, 2013,  for their caring and generosity.

We warmly thank all of our most kind supporters and staff:   Angelica Llerena, Sonia Flecha, Lenny Altamura, Jr., Dror Navarro, Cristina Altamura, Marie Trotta and Lola Migliaccio.

We are truly blessed.   Merry Christmas and peace to all men of good will.  Let us hear from you! 

Leonard Altamura and Carmela Altamura, Founders

_____________________________         _______________________________

icpainc@optonline.net  www.altocanto.org 

 Offices:  4000 Bergenline Ave, Union City, New Jersey and 404 Winter Clove Road, Round Top, New York 12473,  T. 201-863-8724

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FORTHCOMING  –  SUMMER 2014

Sunday, August 23, 2:00 PM,  Summer Institute Music Festival with celebrated works

International Piano Duo extravaganza, Lorenzo Di Bella and Cristina Altamura

Sunday, August 31, 2014, 2 pm,  OPERA HITS

scenes, arias, duets, trios, quartettes from Mozart to early G. Verdi

Featuring winners of the

Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition, Verdi Edition

which took place in New York City this past October 6th, 2013

Inter-Cities Orchestra conducted by Roger Malouf, Metropolitan Opera.

 

See www.altocanto.org for updated info 

EARLY RESERVATIONS ADVISED – 201-863-8724[/box]

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Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy and ecology

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

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