Operatic Arias and Orchestral Overtures
and Silent Auction
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Doors open at 5:30pm - Dinner at 6:30pm - Concert at 8:00pm
Program
Bellini Overture to Norma
Catalani La Wally: Ebben…ne andrò lontana
Puccini E Lucevan le stelle (Tosca)
Puccini Tosca: Vissi d’arte
Di Curtis Torna al Surriento
Massenet Meditation
Puccini Vogliatemi bene duet (Madama Butterfly)
Intermission
Von Suppe Poet and Peasant Overture
Bizet La fleur que tu m’avais jetée
Puccini In questa Reggia (Turandot)
Puccini La Boheme fantasy
Puccini, Duet, Mario, Mario, Mario from Tosca Act 1
Soloists
Jennifer Carter, Soprano
“A wonderfully honest and communicative performer,” embodying “dramatic intensity and vocal ease,” Ms. Carter has appeared locally as Suor Angelica, Miss Jessel (The Turn of the Screw), and Silvia (Zanetto) with Grand River Opera. She has performed with the Wagner in Vermont Festival, Dramatic Voices Berlin, Powerhouse Opera, Opera by Request, Opera Susquehanna, and the Colours of Music Festival in Barrie.
Roles include Valkyries & Rheinmaidens in Wagner’s Ring Cycle; Chrysothemis, 4.te/5.te Magd (Elektra); Ariadne auf Naxos; Donna Anna (Don Giovanni); 1.Dame, Pamina (Die Zauberflöte); and Nedda (Pagliacci). She is based in Kitchener, founded GRO, and teaches singing at Resound Voice Studio.
Menu
Tossed Garden Salad
Balsamic vinegar dressing on the side
Grilled Chicken
white wine sauce on the side
Potatoes, Vegetables
Country Style Cheesecake
Vegetarian Option
Stir-Fry with Rice
(Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan)
A selection of Fresh Seasonal Vegetables (Onions, Green and Red Peppers, Zucchini, Mushrooms, and Eggplant) tossed with Fresh Herbs and sautéed in Virgin Olive Oil and Sun-dried Tomatoes.
Fruit Plate
Children Under 12
Veggies and Dip
Chicken Fingers and Fries
Ice Cream
coffee, tea
Cash Bar
Non-alcoholic Beer, Beer & Wine $7
Pop $2
Ernesto Ramirez, Tenor
Mexican-Canadian tenor Ernesto Ramirez is garnering rave reviews for his distinctive Italianate sound, “wonderfully fluid line and brilliant high notes,” combined with his “suave, nuanced lyricism.” Ernesto debuted as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Mexico’s Opera de León, Rodolfo in La bohème with Pacific Northwest Opera, and sang Don José with Opera Kelowna’s Carmen.
Ernesto recently starred as Cavaradossi with Mississauga Symphony in their fully staged Tosca, and as Don José in Carmen with Orchestre Classique de Montreal. Further engagements include Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur with Calgary Concert Opera Company, Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera and Alfred in Die Fledermaus with Alberta Vocal Arts.
In 2023/24, Ernesto sang in Handel’s Messiah with Hamilton Philharmonic, and with Symphony Nova Scotia in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, which he has performed with Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Niagara Symphony, and Kingston Symphony. Ernesto’s “resplendent tenor” has been heard in performances of Verdi’s Requiem with The Peterborough Singers, Brott Music Festival and Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería, Mexico.
Ernesto has performed to great acclaim for audiences in France, Germany, Switzerland and the United States, and opera companies in Zurich, Québec, Montreal, Tel Aviv and Mexico City have welcomed him as a guest artist in their Opera Galas.
Rescue your Favourite Section
Shipwreck Symphony
Whose ship will you Sink?
Dread Pirate Dan, that dastardly Ship's Conductor?
The Walk-the-Plank Wadley's, who play the dreaded Violas?
The Woodwinds, whose eerie tones draw The Sirens to sink the Good Ship KWCO?
Now the Bidding Begins!
Dive into the excitement and help us make the Opernball Silent Auction a dazzling success! Get ready for spirited bidding wars and an electrifying atmosphere that’s sure to make the night unforgettable! 🌟🎶✨
Thank you to the many members, friends, family members, and businesses that donated to our Opernball Silent Auction
The Kitchener Waterloo Community Orchestra is thrilled to present an evening of exceptional music featuring our local talented youth!
Each year, the KWCO partners with the Kiwanis Music Festival to offer students an exciting opportunity to play in concert with the backing of a full orchestra. The concerto features different instrument groups each year. For 2025, the Kiwanis concert will feature the winners from the Piano, Strings, and Wind participants!
Please join us as we support and welcome these young musicians to the stage to showcase their incredible talents. Their hard work and determination will prove to be an inspiration for us all!
Soloist bios, and concert program to be announced in May.
The event is scheduled for May 31st at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. W. Waterloo.
The KWCO is dedicated to making this cultural experience accessible, especially for students. High school students and younger music enthusiasts can attend free of charge, while tickets for adults are priced at $25, $22 for seniors, and $18 for university and college students. To secure your seats, please visit www.kwco.org/programme, or purchase tickets at the door.
For more information, please visit or contact:
• https://www.kwco.org/may-31-kwco-partners-kiwanis-music-festival
• kwcommunityorchestra@gmail.com
• Tel: 519 744 2666
• https://www.facebook.com/www.kwcokitchenerwaterloocommunityorchestra/
• Instagram @kwcommunityorchestra
