First Class Performing Arts in Our Own Backyard!

By Doris Shaw Block

Look no farther than Larchmont, Mamaroneck, and New Rochelle for wonderful and affordable performances by committed groups of professional artists during the upcoming holiday season and throughout the year. There is no need to travel afar for first class entertainment!

The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit’s November 14 breakfast program featured nonprofit high quality performing arts venues in our community. The panel included New Rochelle Opera’s Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Camille Coppola, who opened the program by singing an aria from “The Merry Widow.” The other noted speakers were Mark Ettenger, President of the Emelin Theatre Board of Directors, Eric Milnes, Director of Music at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Mamaroneck, and Tony Coretto, President of The Westchester Chorale.

Camille Coppola co-founded New Rochelle Opera 33 years ago with a dual mission of providing young opera singers with a performance venue and the community with an appreciation of live opera. The company performs a fully staged and costumed opera with professional singers each year at the Ursuline School. Next June the Company will perform Puccini’s “La Boheme.”

Mamaroneck’s Emelin Theater, a multi genre performance venue with the motto “world class right here,” recently celebrated its 45th anniversary with a gala featuring Tony award winning singer/actress Kelli O’Hara. With 110 performances annually entertaining an audience of 25,000, the Emelin provides an enormous variety of affordable, quality performances by well-known artists, including all types of music, dance, comedy and children’s’ programs. There is also a popular Wednesday evening film club showing independent and foreign films.

St. Thomas will be celebrating its 200th anniversary with five major performances at 4 pm on the following Sundays: December 17, February 4, March 25, April 15 and June 10. Musical director Eric Milne crafts programs drawing from all traditions of music. Handel’s Messiah, performed last year to much praise, will be repeated this year on December 17, featuring the Choir of St. Thomas, an orchestra of Baroque instruments and internationally acclaimed soloists.

The Westchester Chorale, founded in 1965 and currently resident at the Larchmont Avenue Church, is the oldest chorus in Westchester County, with a mission of presenting the best in choral music. Under the musical direction of Douglas Kostner, the 35 to 45 member chorus performs fall and spring concerts showcasing diverse musical traditions. The upcoming December 10 concert at 4 pm will include a variety of music and a performance by the Westchester Children’s Chorus. On December 16 at 4 pm, The Chorale also will perform Handel’s Messiah.

The panelists spoke about their organizations’ outreach to, and involvement with, the local communities and their efforts to reach diverse audiences. Ms. Coppola teaches local school children about opera and then brings them to a performance for their first live opera experience. Mr. Ettenger noted that artists performing at the Emelin have conducted master classes at local schools, and the Emelin offers student and group discounts. The Emelin has made efforts to showcase a variety of performers and engage diverse audiences, including dance programs with dancers of color and presenting “the Sound of Music” with Spanish subtitles. Mr. Milne noted that St. Thomas offers free concert admission to anyone unable to pay and stressed the Church’s mission of encouraging and celebrating diversity, inclusiveness, and service to the community. Mr. Coretto noted the Chorale’s policy of student discounts and free admission to children under 12.

This breakfast forum was hosted by the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit, an informal community council that seeks to make life better for all in the tri-municipal area. The Local Summit’s December 19 breakfast program will feature a discussion with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shaps on Mamaroneck’s growing enrollment and space challenges. Nautilus Diner, 7:45 am.