International opera star Casanova to sing at concert

By STEPHANIE OTTEY

SHARPSVILLE, Pa. — This summer, the Pierce Opera House reopened after 80 years of silence with a historic production of Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale.” The event brought Hubbard native Jason Budd back to the area after years of touring the country as a professional actor and singer.

Now, only four months later, the theater is making big sound waves again as internationally known opera star Francisco Casanova visits for a one-time performance Nov. 8. Casanova and other singers will give a concert of opera selections.

Casanova, a tenor, came to prominence in 1999 with his role as Eleazar in Halevy’s “La Juive” at Carnegie Hall. The attention-grabbing performance was a turning-point in his career and earned him “tenor to watch” status. One year later, he reprised his role in “La Juive” at the Vienna State Opera and also made his debut on the Metropolitan Opera stage playing Manrico in “Il Trovatore.” Since then, Casanova performed in Italy, Germany, Spain, France and the United States.

Thanks to Dr. Francisco Cano, president of Valley Lyric Opera, Casanova will extend his travels to Sharpsville, Pa. Cano has known Casanova since he was 8 years old and has enjoyed following his career over the years. “I’ve definitely seen the good and the bad parts of his career. It’s never easy to make it in the opera world,” said Cano, who will be performing with Casanova in the concert.

Needless to say, things are now strictly “good” in Casanova’s career. The maestro has begun teaching master classes in select cities so that he can share his knowledge with promising students.

He also continues to travel the world to perform and also gives private lessons to select students.

“There comes a time in a performer’s career when it’s just as fulfilling to share your knowledge as it is to perform,” said Cano. “Casanova is very excited to share his passion with some budding artists.”

Some of those budding artists will be performing alongside Casanova and Cano in the Sharpsville concert.

Sandra Mercado and Adam Peterson will travel from New York to appear on the Pierce Opera House stage, while Daniel Byerly, a Beaver County native, also will perform with his teacher.

“We were very lucky to have the opportunity to bring him here” said Cano.

“He was only able to squeeze us in because his tour in Italy was canceled.”

Casanova’s performance will be in tribute to his own vocal teacher, the late maestro Pier Miranda Ferraro.

Casanova, Cano and the talented group of Casanova’s students will pay homage to Ferraro through a selection of songs from a wide variety of operas. A reception also will take place after the concert so that attendees can meet the cast, including Casanova.

“It is a privilege and an honor for the Valley Lyric Opera and the Sharpsville Historical Society to be able to bring an artist of this caliber to the Shenango Valley,” said Cano.

“This is an historic performance because at no time has an artist of his stature in the operatic world performed in our area.”