C21 Ensemble: Marty Swisher, Anna Bensch Tondelli, Kate Burch, Lindsay Bruce, Diane Deckert, Karen Barbee Dixon, Judy Earley, Erin Fox, Emily Gage, Czerina Salud, Lauren Schachter, Terri Schultz, Amanda Thomas, Jess Vogt, and Salina White-Vicks, Myron Silberstein
Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Annual IWD Concert!
This all-female concert celebrated in song the contributions of women in the arts.
Sunday, March 5, 2:30pm,
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Oak Park
Premiering a vocal quartet
“Will They Remember Life Was Beautiful?”
— holding space for young lives lost to gun violence.
Mary Grace Bertulfo, lyrics
Elizabeth Doyle, composer
Featuring sopranos Sarah Kropski, Susan Nelson, Christine Steyer, mezzo-soprano Anna Tonna;
pianists Jennifer McCabe, Shannon McGinnis;
emcee Jeanne Franks
& guest ensemble C21 conducted by Martha Swisher.
Painting: Cheri Wolf
Bellissima Opera is an initiative of Working In Concert
The concert highlight is the premiere of a women’s quartet “Will They Remember Life Was Beautiful?” The work gives voice to women effected by gun violence: the mother of a victim, a teacher, a first responder and the mother of a shooter. The title serves as a mantra to create a collective and contemplative moment.
In addition to classic operatic gems, the concert repertoire celebrates women’s musical contributions across the globe with works by lyricists and composers Pauline Viardot Garcia, Amy Scurria, Germaine Shames, Thea Musgrave, Christine Steyer, Christina Rossetti, May Erlewine, Elaine Romanelli and Edith Piaf. Visual artist Cheri Wolf will create the images for our program and stage backdrop.