Brooks: Carmen Under the Stars provides perfect evening

Bill Brooks  •  Calgary Herald
Published Aug 12, 2022  •  Last updated Aug 12, 2022  •  1 minute read
Join the conversation
Honens Honours 2022 recipients Larry and Jan Fichtner were the hosts with the most at the recent Carmen Under the Stars outdoor concert held Aug 6 in their Riverdale backyard.
Honens Honours 2022 recipients Larry and Jan Fichtner were the hosts with the most at the recent Carmen Under the Stars outdoor concert held Aug 6 in their Riverdale backyard. jpg

 Imagine the perfect pairings for an outdoor concert. A stunning private backyard overlooking the Elbow River. Glorious summer weather. Fabulous fare. And, of course, the all-important element of terrific talent. The recent Honens Summertime Soiree spectacular Carmen Under the Stars featured all this-and more.

Carmen Under the Stars held Aug. 6 was a feast for the senses. Pictured at the Honens Summertime Soiree are legendary mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah (centre) in the lead role of Carmen with cast mates Cristina Pisani in the role of Frasquita and Richard Troxell in the role of Don Jose.
Carmen Under the Stars held Aug. 6 was a feast for the senses. Pictured at the Honens Summertime Soiree are legendary mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah (centre) in the lead role of Carmen with cast mates Cristina Pisani in the role of Frasquita and Richard Troxell in the role of Don Jose. jpg

Held Aug. 6 at the home of philanthropists Larry and Jan Fichtner, the immersive musical experience was an evening not soon to be forgotten. The sold-out fundraiser supported Honens’ education and outreach activities. In recognition of the Fichtners’ extraordinary contribution to the arts across the country, they are the well-deserved recipients of this year’s Honens Honours. The Fichtners’ love of the arts began in 1992 when they hosted a  competitor at the inaugural Honens Competition.

Story continues below

Carmen is the story of  a young gypsy girl entangled in a love triangle – replete with seduction and jealously. Who better to star in lead but mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah whose performance this night was nothing short of breathtaking. Nesrallah was joined by an equally talented cast who ensured guests were sublimely satiated with the immersive musical experience.

Guests in attendance at the SRO concert included: Jenny Belzberg; Elizabeth Carson; Ann Calvert; Stephanie Felesky; Heather Edwards and kd lang; Eva Friesen and her husband Stan Carscallen; Linda Green; Jeff and Marilyn McCaig; Sharie Hunter; Richard Lindseth; Gordon Ross and Richard Cote; Peter Verburg and Vivienne Huisman; Dr. Stephen Valentine and his wife Sue Anne Valentine; Clarice Siebens; Marnie Patrick Roberts; Janet Poyen; Betty Stein; Kelly Streit; emcee Jonathan Love; Honens’ Amanda Smith; Adrian Burns and her husband Greg Kane;  MRU’s Tim Rahilly and his partner Dr. Charlie Chen; and others pictured.

Carmen Under the Stars co-host Larry Fichtner pictured with Lucia Cesaroni who performed the role of Micaela in the iconic opera.
Carmen Under the Stars co-host Larry Fichtner pictured with Lucia Cesaroni who performed the role of Micaela in the iconic opera. jpg
Pictured in the role of Dancaire in the iconic opera Carmen is Christopher Dunham (left) with cast mate Scott Rumble in the role of Remendado.
Pictured in the role of Dancaire in the iconic opera Carmen is Christopher Dunham (left) with cast mate Scott Rumble in the role of Remendado. jpg
Pictured in the role of Mercedes in the iconic opera Carmen is Rachel Miller with cast mate Michael Nyby in the role of Escamillo.
Pictured in the role of Mercedes in the iconic opera Carmen is Rachel Miller with cast mate Michael Nyby in the role of Escamillo. jpg
kd lang sports a Spanish vibe at the Aug. 6 Carmen Under the Stars outdoor concert in support of Honens’ education and outreach activities.
kd lang sports a Spanish vibe at the Aug. 6 Carmen Under the Stars outdoor concert in support of Honens’ education and outreach activities. jpg
From left Greg Kane and his wife Adrian Burns with MRU’s Tim Rahilly and his partner Dr. Charlie Chen.
From left Greg Kane and his wife Adrian Burns with MRU’s Tim Rahilly and his partner Dr. Charlie Chen. jpg
From left Numi Health’s Peter Verburg, Sotheby’s Vivienne Huisman, ReMax Central’s Gordon Ross and his partner community supporter Richard Cote.
From left Numi Health’s Peter Verburg, Sotheby’s Vivienne Huisman, ReMax Central’s Gordon Ross and his partner community supporter Richard Cote. jpg
Dr. Stephen Valentine and his wife Sue Anne Valentine
Dr. Stephen Valentine and his wife Sue Anne Valentine jpg
From left Marnie Patrick Roberts, Clarice Siebens and Janet Poyen
From left Marnie Patrick Roberts, Clarice Siebens and Janet Poyen jpg
The Fichtner’s Riverdale back yard was the perfect setting for the recent Carmen Under the Stars outdoor concert
The Fichtner’s Riverdale back yard was the perfect setting for the recent Carmen Under the Stars outdoor concert jpg

Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Trending
Read Next
Latest National Stories
    This Week in Flyers