Matinée Musicale Cincinnati presented a concert featuring two Cincinnati Opera singers, Jessica Rivera, soprano, and Edward Nelson, baritone, at the Annual Program and Luncheon at Greenacres Arts Center on Wednesday, June 14th.  Donald Hurd played on the organ as club members and subscribers arrived.  Subscriptions for Matinée Musicale’s next season were available to purchase at the entrance.

At 11 am, Nancy Walker, Matinée Musicale Artistic Director, welcomed everyone and introduced Carter Randolph, Ph.D., President of the Greenacres Foundation. Greenacres Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation established in 1988 by Louis and Louise Nippert. The Nipperts purchased Greenacres Farm in 1949 and wanted to preserve the land for the education and enjoyment of future generations.

Next, Jackie Quay, Arts Center Director at Greenacres, talked about the educational programs offered here. She enthusiastically told us about a program that brings inner city children to the farm for the first time. Then Evans Mirageas, Director of Cincinnati Opera, talked about the Opera’s summer series and introduced the two soloists from the current production, La Bohème: Jessica Rivera and Edward Nelson, accompanied by pianist Marie-France Lefebvre.

Following the concert, Nancy Walker thanked again the accomplished accompanist Marie-France Lefebvre, and asked all Matinée Musicale club members to stand for recognition. Judy Martin, Matinée Musicale Administrative Director, spoke about our new venue at Memorial Hall and announced that people who subscribe by Sept.15th will receive free parking at the Washington Park Garage. Nancy Walker then spoke about the new season’s artists and invited all club members and subscribers to enjoy lunch downstairs.

Photography by Gayna Bassin.

PROGRAM:

Ariettes oubliées (on poems of Paul Verlaine) by Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
I. C’est l’extase langoureuse
II. Il pleure dans mon coeur comme il pleur sur la ville
III. L’ombre de arbres dans la riviére embrumée
IV. Tournez, tournez, bons chevaux de bois
V. Voici des fruits, des fleurs, des feuilles
VI. Les roses étaient toutes rouges

Jessica Rivera, soprano

Four Songs by Henri Duparc (1848 -1933)
I. L’invitation au voyage
II. Le manoir de Rosemonde
III. Extase
IV. Phydilé

Edward Nelson, baritone

ENCORES:

Two songs from La Bohème

Jessica Rivera, soprano and Edward Nelson, baritone