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Opera at the Acorn's third performance this season on Saturday, August 20 promises to be the signature event of the Summer. This is a chance to see Verdi's Rigoletto up close and personal, Opera at the Acorn style, performed for the first time in O.A's history with symphony orchestra. Rigoletto has an astonishing number of the greatest arias ever written for opera. It features the lilting, heartbreaking Caro Nomé, the mischievous La Donna e Mobilé, and the gut-wrenching Cortigianni,accompanied by members of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Philip Bauman.

The stellar cast includes mezzo-soprano Isola Jones in her signature role of Maddalena, a role she made her own at the Metropolitan Opera with the likes of Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti. In the title role, making his O.A. Debut, is baritone John Payonk, a singer who defines the role. The role of the lacivious duke will be portrayed by tenor Isaac Hurtado, also making his O.A. debut-- a role that was made for this handsome gentleman. Soprano Sarah Hibbard will sing the role of Gilda, Rigoletto's love-struck daughter. This is also Sarah's first visit to the Acorn-no question audiences will be hoping it's not her last. The role of the assassin Sparafucile will be performed by O.A. founder Robert Swan. “To be perfectly honest, I wanted to do Rigoletto so I could perform this great villain again, and to do it in this great compnay will be an honor. The climactic final scene is without a doubt one of the most beautifully realised, dramatic scenes ever written.”

Rigoletto will be performed in the original Italian—but don't worry, you won't miss a word with the translation carried above in “supertitles.”
Opera at the Acorn is proud to be joined by Maestro Bauman and his orchestra-an orchestra comprised entirely of very talented local musicians. We hope that this is just the beginning of our collaboration, and if this effort strikes a chord in the audience, to be able to offer more than one performance of these major works.

We promise you...

• This is the one you shouldn't miss!
• You will leave humming the great tunes!
• At 1 ¾ hours, you'll wish it were longer!

We recommend you buy your tickets early.
Saturday, August 20 8pm Eastern
www.acorntheater.com
269-756-3879

Dr. Doug Busby was recently awarded the Magic Baton at the Robert J. Hiler Family Foundation Pops Concert, young@hearts.

The Magic Baton has a rich history with the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra. The idea began in 1981 at the symphony's second annual pops concert, titled “To La Porte With Love.” The concert opened with a rousing “Stars and Stripes Forever,” conducted by Mayor A. J. Rumely. It was part of the city of La Porte's 150th birthday celebration.

The following year the "Magic Baton" was born. The conductor's baton, previously mastered by Mayor Rumely, was transformed into a "Magic Baton." It has since become an integral and indispensable feature of the La Porte County Symphony's Pops Concert. Each season, an auction is held to determine the winner of the baton. The magic instantly transforms the highest bidder into an experienced symphony conductor.

After the bidding concludes, the winner steps to the conductor's podium to lead the orchestra in John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.” In addition to their moment as “Maestro,” winners are presented with an engraved plaque and a photograph of their experience.

From Dr. Doug Busby

I remember being the angel, Gabriel "blowing his horn," in a kindergarten play when I was a kid.  Maybe that got me interested in the trumpet, which has made it possible to enjoy being in many concert bands over the past 55 years.  "Stars and Stripes"  has certainly been my favorite march, which I'll again be playing on April 30th with the Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band at the VU's Annual Sousa Festival Concert.

Quoting Dr. Busby, "Now I might even conduct this great march. WOW, what an honor that would be! Please make this possible for me."  Indeed, he won and did a fantastic job! Thanks for being part of our fabulous tradition!

Dr. Doug Busby, Vice President, LCSO Board of Directors

Previous Baton Auction winners

Listed alphabetically, include:

• Miss Janet Ault
• Mr. Keith Bancroft
• Mr. C. Phillip Barning,Jr.
• Mr. Jeffrey Bernel
• Mr. James Bruno
• Ms. Suki Cho
• Mr. Phillip Drayton
• Ms. Cherie Fuller
• Mr. Jon Goble
• Mayor Elmo Gonzalez
• Mr. Ray Grivetti
• Mrs. Rita Hagenow
• Mr. Bob Jackson
• Mr. Lew Jagger
• Mr. Keith Jones
• Mayor Carl Krentz
• Judge Kathleen Lang
• Mayor Leigh Morris
• Dr. Hester Muller
• Mayor A. J. Rumely
• Mr. Chuck Sauers
• Mr. Andrew Steck
• Mr. John Utley

Give the gift of music for someone you love.

For a limited time only,  purchase a pair (2) or more of tickets to the March or April concerts and you will receive $2.50 off each ticket.

Bring your Sweetheart to the March or April concert and save by entering coupon code "Valentine".

Read more: Sweetheart Ticket Deal

Music styles as diverse as opera, modern country and jazz were performed at the Civic Auditorium on Saturday, June 19 by those hoping to be the 2010 Hoosier STAR.

Mitchel Pynakker, 16, won the youth division and $500 with his performance of Van Morrison’s “Moondance” sung a la Michael Buble.  Mitchel is a junior at Valparaiso High School.

Michael Ohm’s performance of “Save the Last Dance For Me” charmed the audience enough to win him the first runner-up spot and $400.  Michael, 16, is from Valparaiso and has performed in the lead role in “Footloose” as Willard at the Portage Community Theatre.

Read more: 2010 Hoosier Star Winners