OPERA PROVIDENCE PRESENTS

The 3 Divas

PROVIDENCE, RI (May 1, 2002): Opera Providence (formerly known as Ocean State Lyric Opera-OSLO), Rhode Island's premier opera company, presents a rare, unprecedented performance by three of Rhode Island's most renowned sopranos, Maria Spacagna, Diane Alexander and Kathryne Jennings. Hosted by WGBH's beloved Classical Music Radio Host, Ron Della Chiesa, the concert will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sapinsley Theatre at Rhode Island College in Providence. The concert will be followed by a "Meet the Divas" fund raising reception at the Italo American Club on Broadway in Providence.

	Diane Alexander

Many people who have never been to an opera will now have the opportunity to hear some of the most beautiful music ever written, sung bythree of Rhode Island's favorite opera divas. Ms. Spacagna has achieved great success internationally at such great opera houses as La Scala, theMetropolitan Opera and the Santa Fe Opera. Most recently, Ms. Spacagna re-enacted her signature role, Cio-Cio San, in Opera Providence's 2001 Fallproduction of Madama Butterfly. Ms. Alexander comes back to Rhode Island after singing with such

nationally respected companies as the Washington Opera, Atlanta Opera and Nashville Opera. She was seen last in Rhode Island as Musetta in Opera Providence's 1999 production of La Bohème. Ms. Jenningsturns the tables from behind the stage (she is Artistic Director of Opera Providence and cultural host of Cox Cable's new Prime Time television show) to center stage. She has performed with professional opera companies and orchestras throughout the United States and in concert with Opera Providence in Music and Mistletoe. The 3 Divas concert also gives these three sopranos the rare opportunity to sing together - as colleagues and friends.

The program includes classics from opera, Broadway and operetta with arias and songs written by the greats - Puccini and Mozart, Gershwin and Sondheim, and Gilbert and Sullivan and Herbert. The 3 Divas will perform solo selections and ensembles with piano accompaniment by Dr. Matthew Larson.

The 3 Divas is the first production of the 2002-2003 Opera Providence season.

	Kathryne Jennings

This concert has been planned to help achieve Opera Providence's goal of introducing live, exciting, unedited, uncanned, adventurous musical productions to the people of Rhode Island.

"One of the goals of Opera Providence is to offer programs that everyone can enjoy," said Kathryne Jennings. She continued, "The musical selections for the 3 Divas concert promises to achieve that objective. Plus it's rare to have three sopranos singing on the same program and the three of us are really excited by this opportunity to perform together."

Opera Providence is offering season tickets for the first time, guaranteeing assigned seating and additional incentives. This year's opera season includes the September 20 and September 22, 2002 production of Rossini's Cinderella (La Cenerentola) at VMA Arts and Cultural Center. This opera combines the well-known fairy tale with Rossini's comic genius, guaranteeing fun for audiences of all ages. The second grand opera production will be presented. on April 4 and 5, at VMA Arts & Cultural Center when Opera Providence will present a collaborative production of Puccini's Tosca with the Boston Academy of Music. This production will be a multi-media event that promises to enrich this great tale of passion and deceit, political intrigue, corrupt desire and breathtaking music. This event will also be performed in Boston on March 21, 23, and 25 in Boston at Northeastern University, Blackman Auditorium.

	Maria Spakagna

On Saturday, December 21, Opera Providence will begin its concert series at the

Sapinsley Theatre at Rhode Island College with the third annual holiday concert, Music and Mistletoe, and on Friday, February 14, 2003 the third annual That's Amore! Valentine's Day concert.

Tickets for the Three Divas concert are $35. Tickets for the post-concert "Meet the Divas" fund raising reception at the Italo American Club are $40 per person (a percentage is tax-deductible) which will include wine, antipasto and dessert. For ticket and season information call the Opera Providence office, 401-331-6060.

For artists' photos and biographical information contact Ruth Davis, 401-521-2700 or request by email, rdavis@rdwgroup.com

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