Bellezza Vocale was presented by SOG on a recent Saturday evening to an admiring audience of over 50 Guild members and guests at Tagney Jones Hall. Four recent winners of the Guild’s Singers’ Development Awards delighted us with selections stirring and plaintive, old favorites and new, French, Russian, German, and Italian. Although there was no charge to attend, the audience generously donated a nice addition to our Singers Development Fund.

The singers were Stephanie Pfundt, Malinda Wagstaff, Théodora Cottarel, and Rosamund Dyter. In between arias, each explained how winning the SDA helped her progress in her career. It was so heartening to hear the uses to which they put the prize money, from lessons with a special teacher to plane flights across the country to attend auditions, and so many other costs developing young singers must find a way to pay for. In addition to the prize money, just being able to list the award helps boost their credibility.

The final item on the program was the hilarious Cat Duet from Rossini’s Barber of Seville, with all the meows and bared claws one could wish for!

Our singers benefited from the expert accompaniment of Reid Wolch, who was equally skilled playing Verdi or Puccini, Wagner or Saint-Saëns.

Many thanks are due to Regina Thomas, SOG’s VP of Education, who put the program together, and Patricia Pavia, who organized many of the logistics. The whole SOG board pitched in at the conclusion of the recital when they presented Seattle Opera’s new General Director, James Robinson, gifts to make him feel more at home in Seattle: everything from a cookbook of Seattle chefs’ favorites recipes to a rainhat and ferry tickets, and most humorously, a geoduck caching kit. James was such a good sport, especially considering this was only his third day in Seattle! Bravo, James, and bravo to all the artists who gave such wonderful performances.