After listening to an evening of world-class operatic brilliance, starring internationally acclaimed tenor Marcello Giordani performing “Amado Mio Vero,” patrons and friends of the Vero Beach Opera set aside their opera glasses to relax at an enjoyable After Party at Grand Harbor Club.
The concert was the grand finale of Giordani’s International Vocal Competition, a huge coup for Vero Beach’s growing reputation as a cultural center. Two of the competition winners, 30-year-old baritone Anthony Clark Evans, and 26-year-old soprano Beibei Guan, were featured performers to the delight of the audience, who were generous with well-deserved brava’s, bravi’s and bravo’s throughout.
Guests moved about the dining room amid round tables clothed in crisp white with crimson and black centerpieces, schmoozing, sipping wine, and anticipating the sumptuous late-evening buffet supper. The dress – elegant; the color of choice – black.
In black sequined jacket and swingy auburn tresses, Marcia Loewinger channeled (a young) Shirley MacLaine. She and husband Dr. Robert Loewinger are Grand Benefactors; he is VBO vice-president.
“It’s still hard to believe that Vero Beach is a cultural destination,” said board member Karl Steene. “This concert, the culmination of the opera season, is like Tanglewood and other such well known musical venues.”
Steene turned to greet Bruce Stasyna, VBO Music Director and pianist, and Kim Crossen, gorgeous in deep blue. Stasyna had just completed a grueling span, accompanying the competition’s applicants and playing through the entire concert.
“How are your fingers?” asked Steene. “It’s not my fingers,” Stasyna smiled. “It’s my brain.”
Board member Joe Palowich commented, “Every year the quality and excellence of the competition exceeds the previous year.”
Applause rippled through the room as Giordani, tall, with a military bearing and a great deal of Italian charm, made his entrance. Through his foundation, he has conducted competitions in Europe and in New York City but realized, “New York wasn’t the right place for it.”
A long-time friend of Roman and Dr. Joan Ortega Cowan (VBO Artistic Director and President respectively), Giordani came to Vero Beach to perform and “fell in love” with its unique character. (Thus Amado Mio Vero – My Beloved Vero).
“We took a risk,” he admitted, with a grin. “But Roman likes risks. And I like risks.” Obviously a risk well taken.”
The two young winners basked in the heartfelt praises heaped upon them by the room full of opera aficionados. Evans is currently a Young Artist at the Lyric Opera of Chicago Ryan Opera Center. In addition to his powerful pipes, he has the impressive ability to transform his pleasant, “baby face” into a stormy, brooding visage, well suited to his roles of choice. His dream role? The evil police chief Scarpia, in Puccini’s Tosca. “When I heard it, I knew I could play that guy.”
Guan’s delicate personage belies her big, passionate voice. “I am so excited,” she exclaimed, beaming as congratulatory patrons grouped round.
Said Dick Brick, attending with wife, Sally, “Last night you were good. Tonight you were spectacular!”
From Zhejiang Province in southeast China, Guan just graduated from Boston Conservatory.
“I miss my family very much,” she said wistfully. But she looks forward to attending Giordani’s Master Class this summer and will then perform at the Opera Company of Middlebury, VT. Her dream role? “Madama Butterfly, of course.”