Preview of Spring Bach Festival

Spring Bach Festival
St. Cyril & Methodius | 63 Popieluszko Ct.

Cantatas
Sunday, March 6, 1:00 P.M.
BWV 8: Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben?
BWV 170: Vergnügte Ruh’, beliebte Seelenlust
Featuring soloists:
Kelly Whitesell, soprano, Rebeca Almeida, mezzo,
Daniel Juarez, tenor, Steven Fasano, bass

Magnificat in D major, BWV 243
Sunday, April 24, 1:00 P.M.

Other Upcoming Bach Events

Violin Concerto in E Major | Sunday, March 13, 11:00 A.M.
Featuring soloist Brunilda Myftaraj, violin

Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 | Sunday, March 20, 11:00 A.M.
Featuring soloists Brunilda Myftaraj & Jessica Heller, violas

Violin Concerto in A Minor | Sunday, March 27, 11:00 A.M.
Featuring soloist Adrian Sylveen, violin

Baroque Youth Ensemble | Sunday, April 3, 11:00 A.M.

St. Cyril & Methodius Church
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Prior to 1898, the few Polish immigrants in Hartford attended St. Peter Church. In January 1901, the recently ordained Father Stanislaus Lozowski was assigned as curate to serve the Polish immigrants at St. Peter. On April 6, 1902, Bishop Michael A. Tierney established SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish for Polish immigrants, with Father Lozowski appointed founding pastor. The first parish Mass was celebrated in St. Peter’s basement. A small wooden church was dedicated on Governor Street. In September 1905, a parochial school, also on Governor Street, opened to 120 pupils under the Felician Sisters, who lived in the school. Polish Catholics next erected a large brick church. On July 9, 1916, the cornerstone was blessed. Father Stanislaus Musiel then launched a campaign for a new school in 1922. With the school-age population expanding, an edifice of 16 classrooms was built on Groton Street and opened on September 6, 1923.

Two Kings. One Church.
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The Organ is often referred to as the king of instruments, and not without reason. The pipe organ has been a staple in baroque music and as part of the tradition and culture of the church. The CT Virtuosi and St. Cyril have recently completed the installation of two pipe organs, and in doing so, greatly expanded the musical repertoire possibilities.

The larger of the two organs, an Austin Organ, was donated to the Chur by St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hartford.

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Meet the Musicians!

Mezzo-Soprano Rebecca Batista de Almeida (Orlovsky) sang Alcina in Connecticut Lyric Opera’s production of “La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina '' earlier this season. Additional highlights include Mercédès in “Carmen” and Orfeo in “Orfeo ed Euridice'' with Connecticut Lyric Opera, Giulio Cesare in "Giulio Cesare'' with the Connecticut Virtuosi Summer Institute, Dorabella in “Così fan tutte” with Greve Opera Academy, Flora in “La Traviata” with Opera Theater of Connecticut, and “Carmen '' with Grande Prairie Opera. A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Ms. Almeida has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Her achievements include 1st prize at XXVI Concurso Latino Americano Rosa Mística; two-time winner of “Concurso Villa Lobos''; and second prize at 20º Concurso de Piano ArtLivre – Prova Estímulo. Ms. Almeida has performed at renowned venues such as Theatro Municipal de Niterói and CCBB in Brasil, and The Garde Arts Center in New London, Connecticut.

Kelly Whitesell is a soprano from Hebron, Connecticut. She graduated with a BM in Voice Performance and a BM in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music, studying with Katherine Ciesinski as well as Philip Silvey. She is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Voice & Opera at University of Connecticut (UConn), under the tutelage of Rod Nelman. This spring semester, she looks forward to performing in Menotti's The Medium as Monica. Whitesell’s previous roles include Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus Act 2), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Celie (Signor Deluso), Witch (Into the Woods), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), and many chorus credits including Die Fledermaus, La Boheme, Orfeo ed Euridice, Don Giovanni and Cendrillon.

Tenor Daniel Juárez is becoming well known to New England opera audiences, having appeared in the past few seasons with Connecticut Lyric Opera, MetroWest Opera, Western Connecticut State University Opera Studio, and in various recital and concert venues throughout the region. The Day of New London, CT said of his performance of Erik in The Flying Dutchman: “Juárez almost stole the show Saturday, his full-throated tenor filing the hall with anger and frustration…” The Town Times of Middletown, CT said of his Don Jose in Carmen: “…the real revelation of the evening was tenor Daniel Juárez as Don Jose… he flooded the theater with big, burnished, baritonal sounds, a powerful top, and plenty of gut-wrenching passion…” The Day of New London, CT described his performance in Carmen as “a riveting evening of musical drama by tenor Daniel Juárez” and further noted, “His growing vocal ardor, a smooth and powerful tenor well-suited to this French material, and stagecraft through the final two acts . . . were character development writ large. From the Act 2 aria “La fleur que tu m’avais jetée” through the impassioned duets that followed to the finale, Juárez was the evening’s emotional epicenter.”

Baritone Steven A. Fasano (Frank) has established himself and appeared throughout New England on operatic, recital and concert stages. He has sung leading roles with the Regina Opera Company of Brooklyn, Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, Manhattan Opera, Riverside Opera, Panopera of Massachusetts, and Connecticut Concert & Lyric Opera. Several career highlights include the world premiere performance of music of Vladimir Pleshakov at Carnegie Hall with Aoede Consort and Trinity Wall Street Choirs, being featured as a soloist on the U.S. premiere recording of Jan Dimas Zelenka’s Missa Votiva, with Crescendo
Instrument Society in the Berkshires, as well as making his European debut as Germont in Verdi’s “La Traviata.”

Albanian-American violinist Brunilda Myftaraj has drawn enthusiastic accolades from audiences as well as critical acclaim for her masterful musicianship in Albania, Italy, Greece, France, Morocco, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Israel, and in the United States. She has been praised by the New London Day critic as an “especially fine and beautiful player”. Although Myftaraj’s teachers are some of the world’s finest, her true inspiration comes from audiences and her students. Her recordings of“Naked Violin” and “The American Pie” received impeccable reviews from Fanfare magazine.

Violist Jessica Heller, a native of Connecticut, began studying the viola at the age of seven and went on to study at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, graduating with a degree in both Viola Performance and Recording Engineering. In her final year at Duquesne, Ms. Heller won a viola position with the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and shortly after, won a substitute position with the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra. She has also performed alongside the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and with the Hartford Symphony, Classical Orchestra of Santiago, Chile. Ms. Heller is currently Assistant Principal Violist of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and Connecticut Lyric Opera. Ms. Heller has been teaching private lessons in the greater West Hartford area for over 15 years and has helped nurture a love for music in students of all ages as well as helped them to gain positions in elite ensembles in the region.

Adrian Sylveen (Conductor) enjoys a performing career in the United States and Europe. He serves as Artistic Director of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Connecticut Lyric Opera, and the Classical Orchestra of Pila in Poland. An active soloist as well as conductor, he has performed concerts and recitals in Poland, Switzerland, Germany, the former Soviet Union, and the United States. Sylveen graduated with distinction from the Paderewski Music Academy in Poznan, Poland, and holds Master's and post-Master degrees from the Yale University School of Music. He is the recipient of prizes and awards from international competitions and has participated in several international festivals such as Weimar and Lancut. Maestro Sylveen has received several prestigious scholarships and awards, including the “Primus Inter Pares” Award given by the President of the Republic of Poland.

Other Upcoming Events
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"We The People" Part 1 | March 10, March 31
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Giulio Cesere in Egitto | May 6, May 15
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"We The People" Part 2 | June 2, June 12

ABOUT CONNECTICUT VIRTUOSI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, the state’s premier professional chamber orchestra, is dedicated to presenting both traditional and contemporary classical chamber works to the public. The Orchestra, led by Founder and Artistic Director Adrian Sylveen, continues to grow in size and repertoire, presenting approximately 35 times a year in many major performing arts centers throughout Connecticut and New York. The organization consists of 27 professional musicians and an administrative staff of four.

The mission of the Orchestra is to preserve and perpetuate the great traditions of orchestral music through the expansion of its public performance season, its education series, and by showcasing the excellence of regional and international talent. In its choice of repertoire, special attention is given to music from Eastern Europe.

The Orchestra collaborates on many projects with the New Britain Chorale, Central Connecticut State University, Middletown Concert Association, New York’s Chopin Foundation, and others. The Orchestra co-produces fully-staged opera productions with Connecticut Lyric Opera. In addition to performances, the Orchestra enriches the community by providing free tickets to local schools and hosting lectures on orchestral music. A frequent guest at the Kosciusko Foundation’s Chamber Music Series, in 2003 the Orchestra was invited to perform at the Gala Concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s papacy.