Opera comes to Firefighters’ Park

The Island Now

Dr. Pamela Levy and friends will be closing out Great Neck Plaza’s 2013 Summer Concert Series this Tuesday, Aug. 27. Joined by renowned opera singers, soprano Kristin Sampson and tenor Jeffrey Hartman, Levy will be putting on her trademark end of summer opera classic concert that will be sure to fill the seats at Firefighters’ Park. 

“Although it is sad to see the 2013 Summer Concert Series come to an end, Dr. Levy and her talented cast of singers will leave those in attendance in complete awe with their magnificent voices,” said Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender. “Concert-goers should make sure they get to Firefighters’ Park early in order to ensure they get a good seat for the night’s festivities.”

Levy, a longtime Great Neck resident, is a graduate of the Juilliard School where she received a B.M. and M.M. as a piano major. Currently Levy teaches at William A. Shine Great Neck South High School in the performing arts department, where she directs the choir and teaches opera, and at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege, where she is the conductor of the Manhattan Chorale. 

After a busy 2012-13 performing season, soprano Kristin Sampson picks up right where she left off, reprising the role of soprano soloist in Puccini’s Passions this fall. In December, Sampson will be joining tenor Raul Melo for a recital at Carnegie Hall’s, Weill Hall. Sampson will then reprise the role of Cio-Cio San in the touring production of “Madama Butterfly” in the spring of 2014. 

Tenor Jeffrey Hartman, a native of Anderson, IN, has had a busy 2013 performance schedule himself. In January 2013, Hartman made his international debut with Musica Viva in Hong Kong in the role of Turiddu in “Cavalleria Rusticana.” In June 2013, Hartman played the role of Canio in “I Pagliacci” with the Campaniia Lirica Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica. Later this year, Hartman will be playing the role of Radames in Verdi’s, “Aida,” with the Berks Opera Theatre in Pennsylvania. Also appearing on stage will be Michelle Geffner, Diana Charlop and Gabrielle Lowell. 

The final concert of the summer will begin at 8 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, the concert performance will be moved to the Great Neck Senior Center (80 Grace Avenue). Check with village staff at the village hall on the day of the concert, or call (516) 482-4500 for a recorded message if the concert has been moved indoors to the Senior Center. There will also be an announcement on the village website, www.greatneckplaza.net, in the case of inclement weather.

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