Sins of Youth, Sins of Age with the Bel Canto Young Artists

SINS OF YOUTH, SINS OF AGE WITH THE BEL CANTO YOUNG ARTISTS
Katonah, NY ~ June 24, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Cohn Dutcher Associates

CARAMOOR INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS
SINS OF YOUTH, SINS OF AGE WITH THE BEL CANTO YOUNG ARTISTS

THURSDAY, JULY 14 AT 7:30PM IN THE SPANISH COURTYARD
KATONAH, NY – On Thursday, July 14th at 7:30pm in the Spanish Courtyard, Caramoor Director of OperaWill Crutchfield presents the Bel Canto Young Artists in a festive program of Rossini's songs and vocal chamber music entitled Sins of Youth, Sins of Age. Rossini shocked the world by retiring from opera at the age of 37; however, it was not for lack of creativity or inspiration. Decades later, as a grand old man in Paris, he produced volume after volume of miniature works in a startling variety of moods and genres. He called these"Peches de vieillesse" - sins of old age. The program combines these captivating, though relatively unknown, works with some of Rossini’s rarely heard earlier works performed by singers nurtured by Caramoor’s Bel Canto Young Artist’s mentoring program.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
In 1998 the training program now known as the Bel Canto Young Artists was established at Caramoor by Will Crutchfield. Each year 10 to 15 young opera singers are chosen to receive rigorous training in bel canto singing, and are given the opportunity to fill solo performance slots that arise during the International Music Festival. The program, which is five to six weeks long, includes daily group classes by Caramoor staff and guests. Members of the program are also understudies to the principal roles of each summer’s operas, and participate in full-scale rehearsals that provide them with invaluable opportunities to develop their skills. They also gain performance experience and exposure with Caramoor audiences in pre-opera recital concerts. One of this year’s participants, Tynan Davis, has said of the program and the artists that “this isn't opera camp for amateurs; the collective has already achieved a level of professional excellence with managers and agents and booked performance calendars…To witness vocal breakthroughs at Caramoor is to hear good singers unlock thrilling star quality.”

Many graduates of this program have since graced such stages as La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, and Covent Garden. Vivica Genaux, Georgia Jarman, Daniel Mobbs, Kate Aldrich, Elizabeth Futral, Lawrence Brownlee, and Nancy Fabiola Herrera are among the performers who got their start at Caramoor.

ABOUT CARAMOOR
Caramoor is the legacy of Walter and Lucie Rosen, who built their summer home – now known as the historic Rosen House at Caramoor – and filled it with their treasures. Walter Rosen was the master planner for the Caramoor estate, bringing to reality his dream of creating a place to entertain friends from around the world. Their musical evenings were the seeds of today’s Caramoor International Music Festival. Realizing the pleasure their friends took in the beauty of Caramoor – the house with its art collection, the gardens, and the musical programs on summer evenings – in 1946 the Rosens established a public charity to open Caramoor to the community. Lucie Rosen survived her husband by seventeen years. During those years, she expanded the Music Festival: the Spanish Courtyard was used as a setting for musical events, as it is today, and, under her direction, the great stage of the Venetian Theater was built.

Caramoor is a performing arts center, located on a unique 90-acre setting of Italianate architecture and gardens in Westchester County, NY. It enriches the lives of its audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality. Its mission also includes mentoring young professional musicians and providing educational programs for young children centered around music. It is often described as “a Garden of Great Music,” where audiences are invited to come early, explore the beautiful grounds, enjoy a pre-concert picnic, and discover beautiful music in the relaxed settings of the Venetian Theater, Spanish Courtyard, Music Room of the Rosen House, and the magnificent gardens. With its unique heritage, Caramoor remains a place where magical summer days and nights are shared and enjoyed by thousands. “Caramoor is the loveliest Festival of them all.” - The New York Times

Concert Venues and Gardens
Most Summer Festival concerts take place in two outdoor theaters: the 1714-seat, acoustically superb Venetian Theater and the more intimate, romantic Spanish Courtyard. Caramoor’s gardens are also well worth the visit and include nine unique perennial gardens. Among them are a Sense Circle for the visually handicapped, a Butterfly Garden, Tapestry Hedge, and Iris and Peony Garden, which may be enjoyed on one’s own or seen on a guided tour.

GETTING TO CARAMOOR
By car from the West Side of Manhattan and New Jersey, take the Saw Mill River Parkway north to Katonah. Exit at Route 35/Cross River. Turn right, and, at the first traffic light, make a right turn onto Route 22 south. Travel 1.9 miles to the junction of Girdle Ridge Road. Follow the signs to Caramoor. (For detailed directions call 914.232.5035 and press 2, or online at www.caramoor.org). Parking at Caramoor is free on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. Once on-site parking is full, alternate parking will be available with free shuttle bus service.

By train, take the Harlem Division of the Metro-North Railroad to Katonah, New York. Taxi service from the station to Caramoor (5 minutes away) is available.

TICKETS
Sins of Youth, Sins of Age: $20.00, $30.00
To order tickets, call the Box Office at 914.232.1252 or visit www.caramoor.org. Groups of 16 or more may purchase discounted tickets by contacting Matthew Scarella at 914.232.5035 ext. 252 or matthew@caramoor.org.

PICNICKING AT CARAMOOR
Extend the Caramoor experience by arriving early and enjoying a picnic amidst the beautiful gardens. Concertgoers can bring their own picnic, or order one for pick-up at Caramoor by calling Great Performances® at 212-337-6055 or online at www.greatperformances.com/caramoorpicnics.

PRESS CONTACT
For press tickets, images, artist information or interviews, contact Whitney Holden at 917.339.7188 or wholden@cohndutcher.com or Brittnee Walker at 917.339.7183 or bwalker@cohndutcher.com

Performances are made possible, in part,
by ArtsWestchester with funds from Westchester County Government.

Performances are made possible with public funds from
the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

The 2011 International Music Festival is supported in part by
an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

ALL PROGRAMS AND ARTISTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

CARAMOOR CENTER FOR MUSIC AND THE ARTS IS LOCATED AT
149 GIRDLE RIDGE ROAD, KATONAH, NY