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Chamber Music Sedona Presents “A Night at the Opera” Holiday Gala Benefit

Baritone Rod Gilfry and talented daughter Carin Gilfry

Baritone Rod Gilfry has performed around the world in the greatest opera houses from Zurich to The Metropolitan Opera. He’s kept company with Plácido Domingo, Cecilia Bartoli, Renéee Fleming and Susan Graham among others. His seventy-four role repertoire ranges from Captain von Trapp to Mozart’s beloved Don Giovanni.


Gilfry’s voice has brought shouts of bravo and encore around the world. Conductors André Previn, James Levine, John Elliott Gardner, Nicolaus Harnoncourt and many others have worked closely with the internationally acclaimed, two-time Grammy nominated baritone. Los Angeles Opera General Director Plácido Domingo said Gilfry embodies the best of contemporary opera, offering “superb vocalism and dramatic insights matched with the right looks for the roles he performs.” During the 2009-2010 Season, Gilfry stared as Emile De Becque in the Lincoln Center production of South Pacific. Gilfry is currently starring in his sixth world-premiere opera, in the title role of “Gesualdo” in Zürich, Switzerland written by the 1994 winner of the Rome Prize, Marc-André Dalbavie, who was voted USA Today’s “Best Young Composer of the Year” (1998) and designated a “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” by the French Ministry of Culture (2004).


Daughter Carin Gilfry gave the U.S. premiere of Cavalli’s Eliogabalo conducted by Jane Glover at the Aspen Music Festival where The New York Times said, “(the role) was winningly sung by the sweet mezzo-soprano Carin Gilfry.” In July 2010, Ms. Gilfry returned to the Santa Fe Opera to create the role of Estrella in the world premiere of Lewis Spratlan’s Pulizer-Prize winning opera Life is a Dream under the musical direction of Leonard Slatkin. This September, Ms. Gilfry was invited to join the Los Angeles Opera as a new member of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program for the 2010-2011 Season.


From December 2009 to January 2010 Ms. Gilfry ventured into the world of American musical theater where she appeared alongside her father as Liesl in 27 sold-out performances of The Sound of Music at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.


Sunday, December 12th at the Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa, 140 Ridge Trail Drive, Sedona 86351, the Gilfry’s, joined by pianist Rita Borden, will bring their magic to Chamber Music Sedona’s fifteenth annual Holiday Gala Benefit–A Night at the Opera. “I’m very pleased to return to Sedona, and Carin and I are delighted to perform together for Chamber Music Sedona,” said Mr. Gilfry. “When Bert told me the evening was based on the Marx Brothers film A Night at the Opera, I couldn’t resist the chance to see him dressed in costume. Carin and I are looking forward to this evening in support of the truly world-class programming CMS has brought to the community, and now, including The Met: Live in HD. That is remarkable.”


The Hilton is offering a $99 Sunday online rate for Gala patrons and may be viewed on the CMS web site. Guests are encouraged to dress up as a character from A Night at the Opera or as their favorite opera personality. Funds from the evening will be used for education programs.


The Gala begins at 5:30pm with hors d’oeuvres and champagne and includes a gourmet dinner prepared by Hilton Executive Chef Daryl Richards with wines by Page Springs Cellars. Entrees include a choice of Herb Chardonnay Cured Breast of Chicken with Artichoke Spinach Gratin and Baby Heirloom Carrots, Oven Roasted Halibut with Smoked Tomato Emulsion and Roasted Squash Ragout, or Eggplant Cannelloni stuffed with Wild Mushrooms and Tomato.


“With the addition of The Met: Live in HD to our series this year, Barron and Brynn Unger planned this Benefit perfectly – A Night at the Opera. It is an unbelievable honor to have Rod and Carin Gilfry with us, given their busy schedules, this promises to be an extraordinary evening,” said Executive Director Bert Harclerode. The evening program begins with Mr. Gilfry singing The Toreador Song from Bizet’s Carmen and Se vuol Ballare from the Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. Carin then sings Voi Che Sapete from the Marriage of Figaro, followed by Una voce poco fa from Rossini’s opera The Barber of Seville. The two will then sing Bei Männern from Mozart’s Magic Flute, followed by the duet from Jules Massenet’s Cendrillon. Mr. Gilfry returns to sing Joey Joey from The Most Happy Fella and Ms. Gilfry then sings La Vie en Rose followed by Sexy Lady. Ms. and Mr. Gilfry then bring the program to a close with Morton Lauridsen’s Sure on This Shining Night, a composition the Gilfry’s gave the world premiere.


Reservations are required and are $150 per person of which $65 is tax-deductible. Reservations can be made by logging on to www.ChamberMusicSedona.org or by calling Chamber Music Sedona at 928.204.2415. A silent auction will take place during the evening and CMS Vice President Chris Seymour will be the Master of Ceremonies.

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