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Wednesday, December 4th, 2002 The Brampton Guardian |
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Local artist John Cutruzzola hosts
Classics Bloom at Heritage on Saturday, Dec. 14 |
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It's a two-part evening to support one worthy cause. At
7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Heritage Theatre, local painter John Cutruzzola
presents Classics Bloom, an evening of classical opera. Following
the show, guests can visit his annual art exhibit and wine and cheese
reception at the Art Gallery of Peel, 9 Wellington St. E. Transportation from
the theatre will be provided. All proceeds
from the concert and the sale of the artwork will be donated to the Brain
Tumor Foundation of Canada's David Bloom Legacy Fund. David Bloom,
a Brampton singer, dancer and actor, died in April 2001 at the age of 19
after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. "When I
heard the story of David Bloom, it touched me deeply as a father," said
Cutruzzola. "When a young person dies like that of a disease that no one
knows how to cure yet, it is sad for everyone. I also wanted to honour his family,
who have been through so much, and hope that it is a little consolation to
know they have not been forgotten by their community." The concert
stars tenor Vaguif Kerimov, a native of Azerbaijan who, in 1984, was named
National Artist of the Soviet Union, and has since performed as Cavaradoosi
in Tosca, Don Jose in Carmen, Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana, Rodolgo in
Luisa Miller and the title role in Don Carlo. The show
also stars mezzo soprano Tatiana Ilina, who won second prize at the 2002
Kiwanas Festival and soprano Barbara Goldman, who began her career as a
dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet before becoming a singer and performing
the roles Anina and Flora in La Traviata and Frasquita in Carmen. Classics
Bloom will be directed by maestro Sabatino Vacca of Opera Hamilton. "The
Heritage Theatre will be proud to have these personalities on her
stage," said Cutruzzola. "Let this be a prelude of the great things
to come when we build our new theatre." The show
also features a number of other singers, including Cutruzzola. "Most
people know I'm a painter, but don't know me as a tenor, but it's something I
have pursued all my life," said Cutruzzola, who is also the president of
Inzola Group Inc. "I've had 14 years of vocal training, I've done my homework
and paid my dues, so I hope I can measure up to the other wonderful
performers of the evening." He said he
is honoured to be sharing the stage with such world-class performers. "I
don't want my involvement to in anyway minimize the grandness of the
show," he said. "These are all singers at the top of their field,
whom I have had the pleasure of meeting and knowing, and when I asked them to
participate they were all happy to support such a good cause." Following
the concert, at approximately 9:30 p.m., guests will be chauffeured in one of
five hired buses for the trip from the Heritage Theatre to the Art Gallery,
for the unveiling of 20 of Cutruzzola's new paintings and a wine and cheese
reception. "Hopefully,
we'll get a little snow that night," he said. "We can take a nice
drive around Gage Park on the way to the gallery." In previous
years, Cutruzzola has donated the proceeds from the event, nearly $12,000 to
the Brampton Hospital. He said that Classics Bloom is an event that everyone
can feel good about attending. "It's a
great price for such world-class entertainment, some nice wine and cheese,
see some art and help a good charity and support a local family who suffered
such a terrible loss," he said. "What better way to get into the
Christmas spirit?" Tickets are
$30 for the concert, $45 for the concert, wine and cheese reception and art
show. Call 905-874-2800 or Joan at 905-453-8266. |
