Friday, May 31, 2013

Former Home Of Jess Thomas Hosts Golden Gate Opera

The late tenor Jess Thomas seen here in Wagner's Lohengrin.
This evening an event called "Arias on Top of the World," to benefit the Golden Gate Opera's Educational Outreach to School Children, was held at the Tiburon hilltop home originally owned by opera star tenor Jess Thomas. Guests were treated to delicious hors d'oeuvres and wines, mingled with opera fans and friends, all amidst spectacular views of San Francisco Bay. "The featured soprano is Olga Chernisheva, whose spectacular voice moved the crowd when she sang the 'Ave Maria' at Supervisor Charles McGlashen’s memorial service. Rising star Mezzo Anna Yelizarova, another beauty whose voice can move one to tears, will also headline this special gathering. They are accompanied by Maestro Robert Ashens to perform favorites from classic operas including La Boheme, La Traviata, Die Fledermaus, Carmen, Madama Butterfly, and Tosca. Golden Gate Opera is a tiny local non-profit with a huge outreach mission – to bring the joy and music of opera to Marin’s schoolchildren. General Director Roberta Wain-Becker and the all-volunteer group work tirelessly to raise funds to bring mini-performances of live opera to every school in Marin." [Source] For more about Golden Gate Opera, click here.