‘Songs of Passion’ opera to serve as fundraiser for Saluda Fire Department

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, August 8, 2018

AmiciMusic will return to the Orchard Inn in Saluda with “Songs of Passion” at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30. 

AmiciMusic, the award-winning musical organization based in Asheville, will make its fourth visit to the Orchard Inn in Saluda to perform more arias and duets from famous operas, operettas and musical theater, including works by Puccini, Lehar, Webber, and many more. The featured performers will be Simone Vigilante, soprano; John Kaneklides, tenor; and Daniel Weiser, piano.   

Simone Vigilante

Weiser, the founder and artistic director of AmiciMusic, will help set the scenes and provides anecdotes about the composers and their works. 

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Tenor John Kaneklides, a North Carolina native now residing in New York City, was hailed by Opera News as “the very picture of youthful optimism and potential.” One critic recently wrote about his role as Lt. Cable in “South Pacific” in a Florida production: “whenever he sings, his voice makes the audience melt.” 

Soprano Simone Vigilante has been praised as a “beautiful dramatic soprano capable of some truly awesome fireworks” and has appeared with opera companies in both Europe and across the U.S. 

Pianist Daniel Weiser has performed in over 20 countries across Europe and Asia and was the 1996 U.S. Artistic Ambassador of Music. A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, Weiser founded AmiciMusic in 2011 with the mission of bringing top quality chamber music to the region performed in intimate venues and non-traditional settings. 

John Kaneklides

This performance is also a fundraiser for the Saluda Fire and Rescue Department, whose resources have been depleted after the severe mudslides in May. 

Tickets will include hors d’oeuvres and desserts prepared by Marc and Marianne, the Orchard Inn owners. Drink coupons are available at the door for wines and other beverages. 

Daniel Weiser

For more information, people may contact Marc or Marianne Blazar at innkeeper@orchardinn.com or 828-749-5471, or may visit orchardinn.com/specials/amici-music-concert.

Submitted by Cathy Jackson