Staff Report
“Bel Canto by Candlelight,” the only annual opera event in the Santa Ynez Valley, returns to Sunstone Winery on Saturday March 23.
The fundraiser for the Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community begins at 6 p.m. with Sunstone wines and dishes prepared by Chef Jeff Olsson of Industrial Eats, Chef Chris Joslyn of Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café, and the Lucky Hen Larder. Desserts will also be served.
The musical program, the heart of the evening, will take place within Sunstone’s cave, taking advantage of its unique acoustics.
This year, the event will feature three outstanding singers: Greek-American soprano Jamie Chamberlin, called “spellbinding” by the San Francisco Chronicle; mezzo soprano Danielle Bond, whose performances were hailed with a “Brava!” by the Los Angeles Times; and cantor Mark Childs from Santa Barbara’s Temple B’Nai B’rith, who has been a featured soloist with the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony and the Santa Barbara Grand Opera.
Renee Hamaty will accompany the singers in the night of grand opera, musical theater and Jewish traditional music, including works by Mozart, Verdi, Bizet and Leonard Bernstein.
The evening will also include a silent auction.
“Bel Canto is a magical evening. The food, the spectacular setting at Sunstone Winery, and the musical performances in this acoustically perfect cave will be absolutely breathtaking,” said Susie Margolis Pierson, president of the SYVJC.
General admission tickets are $130, which covers the pre-performance buffet with wine as well as the concert. Seating is limited and tickets can be purchased directly from syvjc.org or by calling 805-693-4243.
For more information, visit www.syvjc.org.
