PV Orchestra

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Orchestra concert
  • Classical orchestra
  • Popular orchestra
  • Orchestra opera

PV Orchestra

Header Banner

PV Orchestra

  • Home
  • Orchestra concert
  • Classical orchestra
  • Popular orchestra
  • Orchestra opera
Orchestra opera
Home›Orchestra opera›Commemorative concert for Maestro José Alejando “Alex” Guzmán of the Regina Opera, by Nino Pantano

Commemorative concert for Maestro José Alejando “Alex” Guzmán of the Regina Opera, by Nino Pantano

By George M. Ortiz
January 9, 2022
0
0

On the afternoon of Sunday, November 21 at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Brooklyn, in Sunset Park Brooklyn, a special commemorative tribute to the famous conductor José Alejando “Alex” Guzmán (1946-2021) been presented to his longtime fans at the Regina Opera. Selections from Mozart’s Nozze Di Figaro and Don Giovanni; Fidelio by Beethoven, Otello by Verdi, Manon Lescaut by Puccini and Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni were conducted by maestros Gregory Ortega and Scott Jackson Wiley.

The illustrious career of Maestro José Alejando “Alex” Guzmán spans more than 50 years in the lyrical and symphonic repertoires with numerous orchestras and opera companies. In the program notes, he mentions the highlights of Maestro “Alex’s” career. He directed the Regina Opera for 35 years and served on its board of directors. He has served as Music Director of the Center Symphony Orchestra, the Staten Island Philharmonic, the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble, the Bronx Symphony Orchestra, the Rockaway Five Towns Symphony Orchestra, and the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra. He was also in great demand as a guest conductor of many groups in the Tri-State region.

At the memorial concert, Maestro Gregory Ortega conducted the Regina Orchestra and the singers in a masterful sampling of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. The bustling opening was lively and full of hi-jinx. Maestro Ortega was an excellent conductor of Mozart and it was so nice to finally break the long fast of the festival of live music. Baritone Robert Garner was superlative as an earl. Christina Rohm was a bubbly countess. The pure and powerful voice of Sarah Moulton Faux, like Susanna, caressed her ear. Baritone Scott Lefurgy was a funny and comical Figaro with a rich voice. Brian Ballard portrayed Antonio the Gardner, who was puzzled as to who jumped into the Earl’s flowerbed. Marcellina was sung by the wonderful mezzo-soprano Galina Ivannikova, Basilio was sung by Adam Inyong Goldstein. Gennadiy Vysotskiy, in the role of Bartolo, completed the spicy ensemble.

Then comes Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio. The opening was conducted by Maestro Scott Jackson Wiley with the verve and wit of the great composer. The overture set the mood with its high spirits and the Act One quartet was bright. Leonore, whose husband, Florestan, has been wrongfully imprisoned, poses as a boy to cheat the powers that be and save her husband. Marzelline was in the hands of the soprano Hayley Kobilinsky. I first heard Ms. Kobelinsky years ago when she was a child and was overwhelmed by the beauty and quantity of her voice. She still sings in a fullness of tone with an angelic hue and haunting quality, and I can still hear her uniquely beautiful sound. The Act One quartet “Mir ist so wonderbar? With Hayley Kobilinsky, Lenore Megan Nielson, Joshua LeRose and Steven Fredericks as Rocco was a beautiful mix of melodic passion.

The duet from act 2 of Beethoven’s Fidelio, “O namenlose Freude! Was sung by Megan Nielson as fiery Lenore and Peter Hakjoon Kim as Florestan, a growing tenor who is quite Stentorian. Mr. Kim was a very strong and impressive Scarpia in the past. Peter Hakjoon Kim and Dilara Unsal as Desdemona performed Verdi’s Otello love duet. Their voices blended with love and their end notes were pure heaven. The great Wagnerian tenor Lauritz Melchior sang as a baritone for six years before becoming the greatest Wagnerian tenor in the world and later in Hollywood films.

The program continued with Manon Lescaut from Puccini. The duet from act 2 “Tu, tu amore?” Tu ”was sung like magic by soprano Dilara Unsal and Sicilian tenor Christopher Trapani, whom I remember singing a splendid Manrico in Il Trovatore at the Regina Opera in 2019.

The program ended with “Intermezzo” by Pietro Mascagni from Cavalleria Rusticana. We were all delighted by this touching and sincere tribute to Maestro Alex Guzmán. Wayne Olsen drew the beautiful drawing of Maestro Guzmán on the cover of the program.

When Judy and I entered the room of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), a masked woman said, “Hello, Nino”. It was Maestra Eve Queler of the Opera Orchestra of New York, a world-renowned conductor and her assistant and friend from Bensonhurst, Deborah Surdi. There were a lot of people but we reunited with Francine Garber-Cohen, the president and beloved wife of Maestro Guzman, Linda Cantoni. Maestro “Alex” was loved by his colleagues and the audience and will be sadly missed. We will never forget Maestro José Alejandro “Alex” Guzmán whose staff sent us all skyward.

Galina Ivannikova, Dilara Unsal, Maestro Gregory Ortega, Sarah Moulton Faux, Steven Fredericks, Hayley Kobilinsky, Hyong Sik Jo, Peter Hakjoon Kim, Photo by Steven Pisano

Tagsmusic directorsymphony orchestra

Categories

  • Classical orchestra
  • Orchestra concert
  • Orchestra opera
  • Popular orchestra

Recent Posts

  • The Irish Chamber Orchestra presents a festive concert at Birr
  • Could It’s a Wonderful Life prove ENO’s saviour? National Opera Arts Council cuts funding to London Coliseum
  • West Australian Opera announces 2023 season
  • Alive Music Orchestra will perform an annual Christmas concert at Valley Church – The Vacaville Reporter
  • NTD’s Special Thanksgiving Program – Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra Concert

Archives

  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • November 2016
  • September 2016
  • February 2016
  • April 2015
  • January 2013
  • November 2012
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions