MUSIC AND MARTINIS Mixes Opera and Opulence

Scintillating décor met delightful dining and musical magnificence at the third-annual Music & Martinis at the Cable Center at the University of Denver last Thursday. The event offered the first glimpse at some of this year’s Apprentice Artists of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program, a ten-week intensive program created by Central City Opera’s Artistic Director Emeritus, John Moriarty.

Costume sketches by Sara Jean Tosetti, available for the silent auction

The fundraiser event started with cocktails and a silent auction on the upper level of the Cable Center and then continued with dinner, live entertainment by the Apprentice Artists and a live auction. The evening also offered a special “auctioned” performance by John Moriarty and Central City Opera’s General/Artistic Director, Pat Pearce.

Emcees John Moriarty, Pat Pearce and Matthew Halls

Auctioneer Gary Corbett

Apprentice Artist Andrew Harris

Jonathan Winell and Andrew McLaughlin on and off the video screen.

Apprentice Artist Annie Rosen

Also in attendance were the principal singers from the upcoming performance of Amadigi di Gaula - Katherine Manley, Kathleen Kim, Christopher Ainsle and David Trudgen. The conductor of Amadigi di Gaula (and an emcee for the evening), Matthew Halls also accompanied Christopher Ainsle on piano for one of the final performances of the night. And to top off the evening, the Apprentice Artists joined together for a rousing chorus of Toreador from Carmen.

AMADIGI DI GAULA's Christopher Ainslie, accompanied by Matthew Halls

The Apprentice Artists will be featured in various roles throughout the Central City Opera Festival.  However, be sure to get your tickets to the Nina Odescalchi Kelly Family Matinees of Carmen on July 28th and

Amadigi di Gaula on August 4th, where the young artists will perform the lead roles.

For tickets or more information CLICK HERE or call (303) 292-6700.

Photos by Mark Kiryluk and Jake Sinatra.