The Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency (GAAR), under the Artistic Direction of Sabra Jones, is proud to announce its 1st Annual Opera Festival as part of the 2017 Summer Season in Vermont. Heidi Lauren Duke choreographs & directs Mezzo-Soprano Martha Prewitt in Lee Hoiby’s comedy Bon Appetit!, written about the legendary chef Julia Child, from June 30 – July 3, 2017, at the Town House (20 Church St.) in Hardwick, Vermont. The return of opera performance marks a full circle moment for Hardwick’s historic Town Hall which was, in fact, built as an opera house in 1898. As we all remember, the painted curtain at the Town House was painted In March of 1903, by artist Charles W. Henry, was commissioned to paint a theater curtain for the then opera house. The cost was $162 and was painted with tempera paint on a cotton canvas.
A restoration of the two curtains that Henry painted was undertaken in the 1980’s. In October of 2003, another restoration of the curtains was completed under the direction of Christine Hadsel of the Vermont Painted Curtain Project.

In its review of Bon Appetit!, the New York Times praised the opera as “A comic culinary extravaganza that taps the wit and antics of one of America’s best-loved television personalities. The music is draped over the words and gestures of Julia Child, the mother of all foodies." Mezzo-soprano Martha Prewitt has sung leading roles in international productions of CARMEN, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, LA TRAVIATA and MANON. Director Heidi Lauren Duke has previously directed opera and plays and musicals at such venues as GAAR last summer, Hubbard Hall Opera, Boston Opera Collective, Palm Beach Opera and Sarasota Opera.

At intermission, in keeping with the onstage action in BON APPETIT! in which Julia Child bakes a cake, the audience will be served chocolate cake. Residents in what’s known as the Northeast Kingdom where Greensboro and Hardwick are located, will delight to know that Julia Child was first discovered by local resident Judith Jones during her tenure as Senior Editor of Knopf and Company publishers.

The performance of BON APPETIT! will conclude with a variety of arias – under the direction of Sabra Jones – that famously reference food. Performers include Ms. Prewitt, Ms. Duke and Marla Schaffel, a Tony Award nominee (JANE EYRE) who appears each summer in GAAR productions - and a surprise guest artists, Kate Havesi, age 7, who studies now with Denes Striny.

Denes Striny, a well-known conductor, tenor and bel canto coach, joins GAAR this season as Co-Artistic Director, with Heidi Lauren Duke, both assisting Sabra Jones, of the GAAR Opera Company. Mr. Denes recently donated a Kawai Baby Grand piano to Hardwick Town Hall which will first be used in the coming Operas. Denes Striny has led Opera Companies in Italy and Massachusetts, been responsible for the voice of Lauren Flanigan of the New YORK State Opera, and toured the world as Don Jose in Carmen with the great Maria Ewing singing Carmen. He has also conducted the London Philharmonia.

PERFORMANCES AT THE TOWN HOUSE WILL BE AT 7 30 PM ON JUNE 30, JULY 1 AND JULY 3 AND AT 3 PM ON SUNDAY JULY 2.

TICKET INFO TO BE MADE AVAILABLE SHORTLY. INTERESTED PARTIES PLEASE RSVP EVE.POMERANCE@GMAIL.COM