On Friday, February 11th, ArtsLEAF, a component of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, and Trestle Inc. will host at Newburgh Free Academy “Salute to Heroes, Heroes Among US”, a benefit concert to honor the heroes in our communities starring international opera singer Patrick Carfizzi.
After his acclaimed performance in Seattle Opera’s “Barber of Seville”, Patrick Carfizzi will star in this musical tribute accompanied by pianist Gordon Shacklett and featuring vocalist Mary Kay Messenger and a 60 voice chorus from the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. The program will feature selections from Broadway, jazz, gospel and contemporary music as well as student testimonials, essays and artistic displays about those heroes who inspire our young people.
As part of the event, on the morning of the concert Mr. Carfizzi and Ms. Messenger, accompanied by professional artists in other disciplines, will participate in a series of workshops with 150 students, giving them the opportunity to learn from the creative process of these professionals and to share stories about their heroes and mentors, be they artists, educators, athletes, or veterans.
The benefit concert will take place on Friday, February 11 at 7PM on Newburgh Free Academy, 201 Fullerton Ave Newburgh, NY. Proceeds will be donated to ArtsLEAF, Trestle Inc. and VA Medical Center at Castle Point. Tickets ($20) can be purchased in advance by calling Trestle Inc., at 845.565.0844 or at the door the night of the event.
ArtsLEAF is a component of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan providing free mentoring to young artists. Made up by artists and educators, ArtsLEAF matches professional artists of all disciplines who volunteer their time to share their experience with talented emerging artists. ArtsLEAF combines traditional face-to-face mentoring with the latest communication technology, videoconferencing and a dedicated online platform, making possible to extend the mentoring relationship beyond geographical limitations. For more information on ArtsLEAF visit www.artsleaf.org.
Patrick Carfizzi recent notable engagements include Paolo in Simon Boccanegra with the Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Opera, Brander in Berlioz’ La damnation de Faust with the Metropolitan Opera, Nourabad in Les pêcheurs de perles with Seattle Opera, Taddeo in L’italiana in Algeri with Dallas Opera, Dr. Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Seattle Opera and Canadian Opera Company and Papageno in Die Zauberflöte with Houston Grand Opera. Upcoming engagements include Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro with Houston Grand Opera and his German debut as Leporello in Don Giovanni with Oper Koln. A graduate of the Yale University School of Music, Mr. Carfizzi has won several prestigious awards: Of note, he has won the Richard Tucker Career Grant Award, the George London Award, the Sullivan Foundation Award, and The Richard F. Gold Career Grant from The Shoshana Foundation. www.patrickcarfizzi.com.
