THE MARCELLA SEMBRICH OPERA MUSEUM
”The Year of Sembrich” Continues with Sembrich Heritage Week August 3-9 at The Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum in Bolton Landing
BOLTON LANDING – In honor of “The Year of Sembrich,” The Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum will celebrate the esteemed career and legacy of the famed diva with Sembrich Heritage Week Aug. 3-9.
The week, which feature concerts, lectures, and a free film, kicks off with “Polish Songs and Arias” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3 at the museum. The concert features acclaimed bass Valerian Ruminski and up-and-coming mezzo soprano Justyna Di Biaggio singing the music of Moniuszko and Chopin. Tickets are $20.
Justyna Di Biaggio made her debut with the Princeton Festival when she sang the role of Aldonza in their production of “Man of La Mancha.” She also recently made her European debut in the Polish National Opera House in Warsaw, Poland where she was featured in a critically acclaimed concert promoting the works of Polish National Composer Stanislaw Moniuszko. Ms. Di Biaggio will return to Poland in the Fall of 2008 where she will sing in the title role in “Czerwony Kapturek” (Little Red Riding Hood) in Krakow.
Valerian Ruminski is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and is recognized as one of the most unique and versatile vocalists working in the world of opera and classical music today. A true basso cantante, his bold and powerful vocal lyricism and remarkable coloratura have created worldwide recognition for this exceptional talent. An excellent musician and creative interpreter, he has performed with many of the great opera companies in the U.S. and abroad and can also be heard on the Naxos label release of 'Night at the Opera' with other singers who have debuted at the Metropolitan Opera.
He sees his upcoming performance of “Polish Songs and Arias” as homage to his own roots, as well as that of Marcella Sembrich.
“I’ve been raised in the Polish culture and I felt it was important to embrace some of the music of my heritage,” said Ruminski, who won the Sembrich Vocal Competition in 1997. “I was lucky to become associated with the Sembrich because of my win and now it is wonderful to return to the museum and entertain there.”
“The Year of Sembrich” began February 15 on the 150th anniversary of Marcella Sembrich’s birthday and continues through Feb. 6, 2009, the centennial of Madame Sembrich’s farewell performance at The Metropolitan Opera.
Other events during Sembrich Heritage Week include:
* The Academy Award-winning film, “The Pianist” will be shown with an introduction by Warsaw musicologist Malgorzata Komorowska at 7:30 p.m. Monday Aug. 4, at Bolton Town Hall. Admission is free.
* “A Celebration of Polish Culture” takes place at 5 p.m. Aug. 6 with readings of poems by Nobel Prize-winning Polish poets, musical interludes and artwork by Krzysztof Kmiec. The event is presented at the Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum by Adirondack Community College and tickets are $10.
* A free Sembrich Symposium takes place at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the museum. Musicologists Malgorzata Komorowska, Stephen Herx and Joseph Herter will speak on the life and career of Marcella Sembrich.
As a pre-heritage week bonus, Ruminski will perform an intimate concert of Sinatra favorites with “Opera Goes Sinatra,” at 10 p.m. Saturday Aug. 2, at Cate’s Italian Garden, 4952 Lake Shore Drive. The concert is a fundraiser for The Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum. Performing with Ruminski are the acclaimed pianist John Whitney, Mike Lawrence on bass, and Ted Mackenzie on drums. Tickets are $60 and seating is limited. To purchase tickets, please call the office of The Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum at 644-2431.
The museum is open daily June 15th through September 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Admission is by donation.
The Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association, Inc., a not-for-profit organization founded in 1940, dedicates its existence and purpose to honor the life and career of internationally renowned soprano, Marcella Sembrich. The MSMA maintains Sembrich’s former teaching studio as a museum displaying Sembrich’s personal effects that reflect on her daily life of teaching and her career. The MSMA also carries on the fine tradition of music through a summer concert series presenting renowned international musicians in concert at the studio.
Media Sponsor for the museum’s 2008 season is The Lake George Mirror. “The 2008 Year of Sembrich Summer Series” is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program and Warren County, administered locally by the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, the New York Council for the Humanities, the Warren County Occupancy Tax, and the Town of Bolton.”
To purchase tickets, please call the Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association at (518) 644-9839. For more information about the Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association, the Opera Museum or for a calendar of the MSMA's 2008 summer program please go to www.operamuseum.org or contact the MSMA at (518) 644-2431 (office) or (518) 644-9839 (museum).
The Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum
4800 Lake Shore Drive
Bolton Landing, N.Y. 12814
(518) 644-9839
www.operamuseum.org
