by Lori Mack

In the late 1800s, Italian immigrants moved into the Wooster Street area of New Haven, bringing with them the flavors and music of their homeland. This weekend, the city celebrates its Italian culture with a new event called Opera-Palooza. The New Haven Green's outdoor stage will showcase some of Connecticut's rising opera stars as the city celebrates all things Italian. It will be hosted by renowned mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer of the Metropolitan Opera and feature some of Italian opera's greatest hits according to Wendy Morgan-Hunter, co-organizer of the event and artistic director for the Connecticut Alliance for Music.

"We have 'O Mio Babbino Caro,' 'Les oiseaux la charmille,' which is doll's aria from 'Contes d'Hoffmann,' 'Non so piu cosa son' from 'Le Nozze di Figaro' by Mozart, 'Questo Amor' from 'Edgar,'" Hunter said. There's quite a few of them that will be known by the audience. They'll recognize it." Hunter said 11 talented singers were chosen. Most of them are finishing conservatory and about to step into music careers.

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Source: http://wnpr.org/