Hendel: Art, music events enliven local culture

Published Monday, May 19, 2025 10:00 am

TOLEDO supports the arts and cultural scene.

A ROMANTIC journey was through Italy, France, and America — no passport required! And right here in Toledo. It was the Toledo Opera Gala: A Musical Tour of Italy, France, and the United States Friday at the Toledo Club.

Resident artists Sarah Rachel Bacani-soprano; Emily Cotten-mezzo soprano; Brady DelVecchio-tenor; Robbie Raso-baritone; and Alex Rotundo-pianist, with artist director Kevin Bylsma enchanted the guests with their beautiful voices as they sang songs from Italian, French, and American composers and singers including Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi Gounod, Lalo, Bizet, Offenbach, Piaf, Weill, Rogers and Hammerstein, Bernstein, Sondheim, and Menken.

The evening started in the club's Red Room where James Norman, general director, welcomed everyone.

While aperitivo Italiano — antipasti tempted the taste buds, opera singers wowed the senses.

Diner Francais followed in the dining room where white roses with flags in silver buckets centered the white linen-covered tables. Mmm ... Beef Bourguignon, Coq au Vin, or Wild Mushroom en Croûte with French wines offered at each course. It was divine. While the opera singers dined with guests they took time out to impress everyone with melodies.

Stateside sweets ended the evening in the Centennial Room with heart warming and lively performances including "Ohio” from Leonard Bernstein’s Wonderful Town.

Among the 100 guests were opera board president Joel Gorski and wife Clare Gorski, Drs. Dominique and Charles Lash, Judge June Rose Galvin, Dr. William Mathis, Benjamin and Kate French, Jordan Killam and Brittany Publiski, Debbie and John Joslin, Marv and Nancy Robon, Dr. Celso Antiporda and his wife Lea Antiporda, Alan and Hindea Markowitz, Nancy Miller and Mike Mikkonen and Callie Jacoby in a creme gown with a flowing skirt.

The event raised more than $60,000.

Thanks go to Ann Sanford, Kim and Doug Kearns, Kelli and Thomas Winston, Toledo Opera's board of directors, and event sponsors including Owens Corning, KeyBank, BGSU Musical Arts, and Gryphon financial partners.