It is always somewhat surreal and incredibly uplifting when dreams become reality. When Bex, Rosa and I moved to this little hamlet in the mountains seven years ago, we were standing in the Parish Field where the Festival Stage is now being set and Bex looked around and said to me "You should do an opera here". In typical man style, I gave her the "look" and questioned how this could possibly manifest. A couple of years later I was standing on the same spot in the field and happened to overhear a conversation between two mothers who were discussing how money could be raised for playground equipment for the park. A light went on in my mind as I recalled Bex's idea. I mentioned to the mothers that I thought I could pull together an open air opera concert as a fundraiser. I invited my opera singing neighbors Maria and Louis to join me, borrowed a tent and spread the word. Opera Under the Stars was a great success and Maria, Louis and I banded together and developed the idea of a Festival devoted to the celebration of the human voice.
I hope everyone will come along to Phoenicia this coming weekend and enjoy the Festival of the Voice. "Rigoletto" is one of my personal favorites and will really be a treat to see Louis perform this amazing role.
