From this Friday 19th to the 28th June, The Classical Music Development Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (CMDFTT) will observe its 10th Anniversary, celebrating the superb talent of our youth in music and arts by initiating its first T&T Opera Festival. A Festival of this magnitude is pure magic. With a most tempting menu of delectable, musical fare, the CMDFTT has indeed pulled off an extraordinary feat. 

Sponsored by the CMDFTT’s Platinum Sponsor, the National Gas Company of Trinidad & Tobago, T&T Opera Festival will take place at Queen’s Hall Auditorium.



The cast of CMDFTT's Cosi fan Tutte (from left to right, back row: Stephanie Nahous, Daniel DeCranie-Pierre, Maegan Pollonais, Justin Welch. front row: Diego Godoy-Gutierrez and Natalia Dopwell)

The Festival has three (3) main parts: the staging of Mozart’s light romantic opera Così fan tutte (four performances only: Friday 19th & 26th and Sunday 21st & 28th), a featured concert of soul-stirring classical singing from critically acclaimed T&T/UK tenor, Ronald Samm (two performances only: Saturday 20th & 27th), and the Annual Music Competition (Thursday 25th June) with a cash prize of TT$30,000, which is open to local music students seeking further education in classical music studies.

On Tuesday 23rd June, a vocal masterclass will be hosted at Queen's Hall. The participants will be tertiary level selected singers and competitors of the Annual Music Competition. On this day, Queen’s Hall will be open to the public and entry to observe the masterclass will be free of charge to all attendees.

The CMDFTT will offer a free performance on Wednesday 24th June for schools and children from homes in North Trinidad, entertainment that is greatly appreciated by all who attend.

The Opera Festival will open with a youthful cast in Mozart’s light romance Così fan tutte, a comic masterpiece about the romantic complications that ensue when a pair of friends decide to test their fiancées’ fidelity.

The sleek production of Così fan tutte features a cast of world renowned and rising stars, including Natalia Dopwell and Maegan Pollonais as the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella; Justin Welsh and Diego Godoy-Guttierez as their fiancées - Ferrando and Guglielmo; and Stephanie Nahous as their feisty maid Despina.  Daniel De Cranie-Pierre is the cynical Don Alfonso.

New York-based vocal coach and pianist, Dr. Jeffrey Middleton and June Nathaniel will share the Music Director role and prepare the singers. Helmer Hilwig will be Stage Director, Margaret Sheppard will do Costuming, Randall Halfhide will work on Set Design and Celia Wells will work on Lighting Design, to bring the opera to life.

Two special performances of ‘Ronald Samm in Concert’ will also take place on Saturday 20th and 27th June at the Queen’s Hall Auditorium.  Internationally-acclaimed soloist, and well-loved Trinidadian tenor, Ronald Samm is one of the nation’s most popular classical music performers recognized in the UK for his fantastic voice and his commanding presence on stage.

At Opera Festival 2015, Samm will be performing a feast of the most beautiful Operatic Arias as well as selections from Porgy Bess with special guest appearances by Soprano Ayrice Wilson, members of the CMDFTT Young Artist Collective and violinist Jonathan Storer.

Tickets and ticket specials for T&T Opera Festival are available now from the Queen’s Hall box office by calling 621-5103, or from the CMDFTT by calling 632-2548, emailing classicalmusictt@gmail.com or visiting www.CMFDTT.org | facebook.com/CMDFTT.