LAKEPORT – Four members of the prestigious San Francisco Opera scene will make an appearance in Lake County in a program entitled “Opera to Pops – With a Latin Flavor” on Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m. at Lakeport's Soper-Reese theater.

The concert is sponsored by Clear Lake Performing Arts.

Originator of the event is native son William “Bill” Pickersgill who was raised in Lake County and graduated from Clear Lake High School before embarking upon a musical career that led him to a tenured position as a baritone and bass with the San Francisco Opera Chorus.

In the interim he studied and performed in Austria, Germany and New York. He has appeared in a number of CLPA operatic concerts over the past two decades which has resulted in a substantial local following.

Pickersgill will be accompanied by tenor Jimmy Kansau and soprano Amy Giovannetti as well as pianist Cesar Cancino.

The "Latin Flavor" starts with Mr. Kansau who is a native of Venezuela and has sung leading roles in numerous U.S. venues, as well as in Europe where he appeared as a guest artist for the Internazionale Institutto d'opera di Roma.

Since settling in the Bay Area he has sung with the San Francisco Opera Guild, Napa's Jarvis Conservatory, the Livermore Valley Opera and also appeared with the Santa Cruz Symphony.

Soprano Amy Giovannetti studied music at Millersville University in Pennsylvania and participated in student programs in Salzburg and Graz in Austria.

After graduation she continued her solo work in the Philadelphia area before moving to California where she began performing with several opera companies, including the Livermore Valley Opera, the Townsend Opera in Modesto, the San Francisco Pocket Opera and Opera Fresca in Mendocino.

"Opera to Pops" will be the last Soper-Reese program before the facility closes for additional improvements. It is, however, a perfect venue for the kind of "up close and personal" performances presented by Pickersgill and friends.

The singers will be supported by an artist with an extensive musical background; Cesar Cancino has been a solo pianist, musical director and conductor since his graduation from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has accompanied such noted musicians as Joan Baez, Liliane Montevecchi, Thelma Houston and many others in performances throughout North America, Europe and Australia.

Tickets for the March 8 performance may be obtained in advance from "Wild About Books" on Olympic Drive in Clearlake, Catfish Books in the Willow Tree Plaza in Lakeport, the box office of the Soper-Reese or at the Main Street Gallery of the Lake County Arts Council in downtown Lakeport.

All tickets will be $15. For further information call 279-0877.

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The performance promises to provide a new electric blend of different art forms.

“I’ve been thrilled to find that my poetry takes on a whole new dimension when I read along with music,” McMillan said. “It’s almost like I’m singing.”

At this uplifting concert, titled “Calling for Light,” Hawley, Watts and McMillan will be joined by the four former Lake County Poets Laureate: Jim Lyle (2000-2002), James BlueWolf (2002-2004), Carolyn Wing Greenlee (2004-2006) and Sandra Wade (2006-2008), who will also be reading and talking about their poetry.

About the program, Greenlee said, “Poetry and music ephemeral as light spring wind — time to rest the brain while supporting the voice of the community — what a great way to spend a few hours in the company of good friends!”

Lyle said, “I hope that my poetry will communicate something that I believe (or don’t believe).”

Hawley, a renowned concert pianist, is looking forward to playing the Yamaha grand piano owned by Clear Lake Performing Arts.

“That piano is a beautiful instrument with exceptional tone,” Hawley said.

She will play three etudes by Chopin and some of her original compositions, along with the improvisations with Watts.

Watts, an aficionado of blues and jazz, hosts several popular music programs on KPFZ, 88.1 FM and writes criticism and reviews for music magazines.

“Calling for Light,” a Spring Concert of Poetry and Music, will take place on March 15 at 3 p.m. at the Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.

Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Children (18 and under) may attend for free.

Tickets are available at Watershed Books in Lakeport and Wild About Books in Clearlake, or by calling KPFZ at 263-3064. All proceeds benefit KPFZ, 88.1 FM, Lake County’s Community Radio Station.

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