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NewsLetter - January 2017
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Welcome in the New Year with Prologues!
The Sarasota Opera Guild's Prologues are an excellent way to learn more about this season's operas as well as enjoy an evening with friends over wine and hors d'oeuvres. Join us at 7:15 pm on four Mondays in January for presentations by opera aficionados. $15 at the door.
Jan. 9. The Italian Girl in Algiers, with Dr. Roseanne Martorella
Jan. 16. Madama Butterfly, with Phyllis Lowitt
Jan. 23. Dialogues of the Carmelites, with Philip Gainsley
Jan. 30. The Love of Three Kings, with Dan Garde
Unity Church, 2013 Proctor Rd (between Swift and Beneva)
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Want to Come to a SOG Event, but Can't Drive after Dark?
Guild member Jerry Cohn has generously arranged for “Seniors on the Go” to transport SOG members to evening Guild events, such as the January Prologues. The service utilizes a licensed provider and is strictly limited to members unable to drive at night due to physical limitations.
You will be picked up and returned to your home – AT NO CHARGE -- when calling Seniors on the Go, 941-444-0569. Reservations must be made at least two days, or more, prior to the event.
To schedule:
- Call Dave at Seniors-on-the-Go, 941-444-0569 at least 48 hours prior to the event
- Tell him you are an SOG member who is unable to drive at night (Dave has the SOG list of events, places and times).
- He will advise you when he will pick you up, based upon your location.
- If there are other SOG members unable to drive in your area, Dave may arrange car-pooling.
- For an emergency cancellation, you must notify Dave at least four hours before the scheduled pick-up time.
Tipping is not required, but would be appreciated as a nice “thank you”.
There is limited capacity. You should request a ride only if you are certain you plan to attend the event, but are unable to do so due to physical limitations. Not following these rules could jeopardize the future of the program. For record-keeping purposes, Dave will provide the Guild with the names of those utilizing the service.
The Guild expresses its sincere thanks to Jerry Cohn for suggesting and funding the new program.
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32nd Annual Poinsettia Luncheon Showcases Daring Divas and Dashing Dons
Nearly 200 persons enjoyed lunch and a fashion show at the Annual Poinsettia Luncheon at The Francis on December 8. And, many walked away winners in the silent auction and gift basket raffle.
"I would like to thank everyone for all of their hard work to make the Poinsettia Luncheon such a profitable success," said Antoinette Dowling, Poinsettia Committee Chair. "The Opera and children who benefit from our support are very fortunate to have all of you in our Guild. Thank you with all my heart." Thirty guild members were on the committee to produce the event, and Betsy Bagby and her family donated the poinsettia centerpieces which graced the tables. Thanks also to the 10 fine boutiques who displayed their fashions, the jewelry vendors, and all those who contributed items to the auction and raffles.
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Models for the fashion event included Joe Cyr modeling for Martin Freeman, and Tommy Zteckel from Tommy's Fine Men's Consignment.
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Janet Huelster follows Michael Bowers; on the right, Barbara O'Connor
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Suzy Phillipes, wearing an outfit from Zaks, and Hope Byrnes in a cocktail dress from Ciao Bella. (Photos by Ray Broth)
Thanks to the other participating boutiques: Casa Smeralda, Evelyn and Arthur, Farm House Frocks, Karen Roth Lounge Wear, Eyeware by Eyes on You, and Sandy's Designer Clothing.
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President's Message
by Peter Phillipes
 Suzy and I just returned from a fascinating trip to Cuba, which included two wonderful musical events—a performance by a company called Habana Compas Dance, that combined classical dance with percussion instruments to create a unique sight and sound presentation for a very enthusiastic audience, and a Christmas night concert at the Fine Arts Museum by a group known as Vocal Ele, which offered classic Latin music, as well as Christmas Carols, to mark the occasion. Our only regret was not seeing a production at the beautifully restored Opera House. Now it is time to once again focus on the Guild and the upcoming year.
We ended 2016 on a high note, with a well-attended Poinsettia Luncheon, that was notable for its level of participation and activity. Antoinette Dowling and her team are to be commended for producing a memorable event that included great fashions with musical accompaniment, an impressive raffle of holiday baskets and a very spirited silent auction. Special thanks go out to the many Guild members who worked hard to make this 32nd annual event a great success.
As we look forward to a new and different opera season following the completion of the Verdi Cycle, our January series of Prologues will offer a unique opportunity to learn about two operas not previously performed at Sarasota Opera—Italian Girl in Algiers on January 9 and Dialogues of the Carmelites on January 23—and one which is returning after 14 years—The Love of Three Kings on January 30. Madama Butterfly, which opens the Winter Season, will be the subject of the January 16 Prologue.
February’s cultural event on the 9th will mark the return of presenter Jack Kahgan whose “Shades of Love” will focus on five different approaches to love in opera, from kind to selfish. Then on March 2, we will offer something new and different, “Noel Coward and Opera.” Writer/actor Alan Brasington will explore how the very stylish Noel Coward might have humorously depicted an opera composer trying to create a modern opera.
Finally, please note that our January 17 and February 14 Singers and Social meetings will be at David Cohen Hall and the March 14 meeting will be our annual visit to Venice at the Jewish Congregation of Venice.
We offer best wishes for a New Year filled with good times and great music.
Best regards,
Peter
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Guild Members - Extraordinary People
Stan, Alma, and the Opera
Stan Abshier grew up in the Mid-West, mainly in Michigan. Stan remembers there was always classical music in the house. “One gloomy Monday, my mother had Tchaikovsky’s 6th symphony (the “Pathetique”) on the radio. It impressed me because it was fitting for the day.” Stan’s father played the clarinet and was the Concert Master in the symphony bands. Stan played the French horn in elementary and high schools, and even played in the Michigan Marching Band.
Stan graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in chemical engineering and chemistry. At the time, the U.S. was behind in the space race, so Stan decided to help. He went to California to design and build large solid rockets. Although Stan has been called a “rocket scientist” on occasions, he really spent his career building the rockets and the facilities to produce them. He worked on the Shuttle boosters, Titan 3C, Poseidon, Trident, and Tomahawk, to name a few.
After completing the allotted missiles for the SALT treaty, Stan decided to retire and moved to Sarasota, Florida, where he met, Alma, his wife to be.
Alma Abshier was born and grew up in Switzerland, where her father instilled in her a love for music and opera. “It broke my mother’s heart when I left to join my first love, an American who I met when he was studying medicine in Bern. The night before I embarked on the SS Homeric for America, my father and I attended La Boheme. It was a bittersweet, highly emotional evening not knowing if we would see each other again.”
While living in New York, Alma became a subscriber to the Metropolitan Opera. However, after Alma’s twin daughters were settled in respective colleges, Alma chose to live in Sarasota where she joined several organizations including the Opera Guild. “Then I met my ‘Knight in Shining Armor,’” says Alma. Alma introduced Stan to his first opera, Lucia di Lammermoor, and the rest was history.
“I fell in love with opera and Alma at about the same time,” confesses Stan. “To be poetic, our first opera together should have been Romeo and Juliette.” However, by the time the famous “mad scene” rolled around, Stan was hooked, and the love affair with opera began.
As a result of their love for the Opera, Alma is on the Board of the Sarasota Opera Guild and Stan is on the Board of Trustees. The Sarasota Opera Guild is fortunate to have both Mr. and Mrs. Abshier as members of the Opera community.
We have all had exciting lives and accomplished amazing things. If you would like to share your story, or would like to recommend someone you think should be spotlighted, please contact Jodie Myers at eng214@hotmail.com.
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