Oren Gradus will present a concert of arias and show tunes to benefit Civicure on Saturday, July 26. Civicure is a Hoosick Falls non-profit organization driven by the mission of community revitalization through active stewardship of Hoosick’s rich heritage and rural environs and the art inspired by them. Gradus’ performance will support restoration of the live performance space in the Wood Block Building at 5 Main Street, where traveling and local artists once graced the two stages.
Oren Gradus, whose rich bass voice has been lauded as “full-bodied and sensitive,” has appeared in some of the world’s greatest opera houses. Notable venues in North America include New York’s Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera and the Canadian Opera in Toronto. European appearances include Teatro Communale in Bologna, Opera Marseilles and the Liceu Opera House in Barcelona. Gradus can be seen in the Great Performances at the Met broadcast of La Bohème, televised by PBS affiliates on Friday, June 27, at 9 pm.
Joining Gradus is lyric soprano Mariona Pallach from Catalonia, Spain. A graduate of the Barcelona Conservatory, she is an award winning vocalist and voice instructor who has sung feature performances on the premier stages of her country. In addition to opera and show tunes Pallach will contribute music from Spain to the program.
The singers will be accompanied by Jennifer Peterson, a gifted pianist, opera coach and accomplished conductor. She is the founder and director of operamission, based in New York City.
The concert is hosted by the Hoosac School which is celebrating its 125th year as an independent preparatory school in Hoosick. Reservations include a 7 pm reception with hors d’oeuvres on the East Lawn of the Tibbits Mansion, with its sweeping views. The concert begins at 8 pm in the auditorium. Meet the artists over coffee and dessert afterwards.
The Hoosac School is located at 14 Pine Valley Road. Tickets for the event are $20. For reservations by phone please call 518-686-4258 or online visit hoosac.org or email civicure@gmail.org.