“Altamura welcomes child prodigy” |
| Altamura welcomes child prodigy Posted: 15 Aug 2010 11:19 PM PDT ROUND TOP — In the foothills of the Catskills, a star is born. At the Altamura Center for Arts and Cultures this month, a budding stage performer will enliven a lucky audience with a voice all-at-once angelic and powerful. Sydney Harris, a 13-year-old stage actress and singer from New York, will perform in a production of Pergolesi's one-act Neapolitan School comic opera "La Serva Padrona" on Aug. 28 during the Altamura Center's summer music festival. This year's festival, "Neapolitan Opera and Song" will celebrate the Chopin anniversary, early Italian opera and popular Neapolitan song, with Harris joining an accomplished cast on center stage. Carmela Altamura, co-founder of Round Top's performing arts hub, described Harris as a "child prodigy" with an innate talent that was passed on by a baritone father and world-class pianist mother.Altamura, herself an accomplished artist and voice coach, has taken Harris under her wing to develop her natural talents. "We've chose the highest levels of excellence to live up to," Altamura said during an interview in the center's concert hall. "We bring people together in commonality; for arts is the glue that brings hearts together." Harris has had a passion for the stage since she was exposed to it at the tender age of 2, accompanying her mother, Renee Guerrero, and father, Lawrence Harris, to various performances in the New York metropolitan area. Her first performance on stage was when she was little more than 4 years old and now, at 13, she has performed in an off-Broadway production of "Annie" as Miss Hannigan. "It's pretty exciting," the young Harris said of her active and very early career. "I really enjoy it." Though she has not had many singing roles, Altamura has nurtured Harris' talents for her role as Serpina in a 15-minute prologue, written by Altamura, taking place 10 years before "La Serva Padrona" takes place. The prologue provides the context for Serpina, a servant that later becomes the house mistress, as a feisty, passionate soul deserving of more than servitude. Harris said she has learned a lot from Altamura's teachings during the two months of coaching. "It's definitely different than any other lesson that I've had," Harris said. "It's been great." To grapple with the operatic challenge of stage and song, Harris has tapped into her talents as an actress. "You just have to want what you're doing to be real," she said, "so it becomes genuine." Altamura said while her teachings have helped foster Harris' organic development as an artist, Harris brings a lot of her own influence into the role. "She has a very independent, creative mind," Altamura said of Harris. Harris' Serpina will prelude the adult version of the character played by American soprano Anne Tormela. She will play opposite Greek bass-baritone Stefanos Koroneos. The production will feature Canadian conductor Michel Brousseau and stage director Camille Coppola. The 15-minute prologue will feature American composer Rob Mitchell and Guerrero will perform the continuo. Venerable conductor and composer Anton Coppola will provide expertise and consultation. "La Serva Padrona" is the first production of the festival, scheduled for 2 p.m. Aug. 28, with "The Art of the Prima Donna" to follow that evening. On Aug. 29, the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra will perform celebrated Neapolitan Songs. "This summer will have something for everyone — a world-premier prologue to a popular opera, singers, conductors, actors and pianists," said Altamura in a prepared statement. "Our weekend festival is going to be an extravaganza extraordinare! We have limited seating, so book early." More information on the performance and the Altamura Center for Arts and Cultures is available at www.altocanto.org. Tickets for the festival are $35 for general admission, $25 for seniors, and $15 for students with identification. Call 518-622-0070 or 201-863-8724 for reservations. Complimentary dessert and cappuccino will be provided. To reach reporter Colin DeVries please call 518-943-2100 ext. 3325, or e-mail cdevries@thedailymail.net. The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of thedailymail.net. You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
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