Federico Carosio III - "Main Highway"

Federico Carosio III is a self-taught artist whose work captures the intense light and rich colors of South Florida like no photograph can.

Carosio’s eye for detail can be seen in the photo-realism of his early pop-art paintings, while his abstracts and sculptures reflect the bold colors of his native Colombia. But it is his landscapes and streetscapes (acrylic on canvas) that have made him one of South Florida’s most celebrated and successful painters.

From the sun-drenched beaches of Key West and Miami Beach to the tree-shaded streets of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, Carosio’s beautifully detailed paintings bring to life the region’s lush tropical splendor.

Each work of art perfectly captures the vibrant colors and varied shapes and textures of South Florida’s tropical foliage…and the complex interplay of light and shadow that changes not just with the seasons but also with the time of day.

Painting has been Carosio’s passion since he was a three-year-old boy living in Bogota, Colombia. Perhaps it was in his genes: his great uncle was the renowned Italian painter Lorenzo Carosio, and his father was an actor who painted and sculpted in his spare time, often with young Federico by his side.

Carosio’s talent was recognized and nurtured as a child, and eventually he decided to make painting his career. He started painting professionally in Soho in 1974, but it wasn’t until he settled in Miami in 1979 that he discovered his passion for painting South Florida’s tropical landscapes.

Carosio says his paintings are his way of sharing his love of nature with others. “I love creating things that are pleasing to me and others,” says Carosio. “And I love knowing that my paintings are giving people an appreciation for South Florida’s abundant natural beauty.”

Carosio is a frequent exhibitor in one-man shows and at South Florida’s many juried art festivals. His paintings have been honored with a number of “Best of Show” awards and featured as the official poster for the South Miami Art Festival, South Miami Arts & Crafts Festival, Pinecrest Fine Art Festival and Key Biscayne Art Festival. Today, Carosio’s popularity extends far beyond South Florida, and his work hangs in homes all around the world.

A single father, Carosio claims that his best work of art will forever be his two now-grown children, Federico and Bianca, whom he raised since they were mere toddlers.

Georgi Danchev

Pianist and conductor Georgi Danchev was born in Varna, Bulgaria. Graduating with honors from “D.Hristov” School of Music and “P.Vladigerov” National Music Academy he was appointed as Professor in conducting at the latter, Artistic Director of the Plovdiv Singing Society and Choirmaster of Plovdiv Philharmonic Choir. Since 2005 he serves as Conductor of Choirs and Orchestra at Church of the Epiphany in Miami.

Mr. Danchev’s concert activities include various performances with numerous live recordings registered by Bulgarian National Television, Bulgarian National Radio, Classic FM Radio, Eurocom Television etc. The latter two has released hour-long artistic portraits highlighting his musical career. Mr. Danchev has received national and international acknowledgments as a prizewinner at Piano Competitions in Huesca and Palma de Mallorca in Spain, Sofia, Varna and Pleven in Bulgaria as well as honor fellowships from “Sofia Fund” and “Geza Anda Fund” in Zurich. Solo and chamber recitals or performances with orchestras at different festivals and venues take places in Bulgaria, Italy, Germany, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, Japan, USA.

Teppei Kono

Teppei Kono, Bass

A rich, sonorous vocal quality and trenchant involvement are trademarks of the performances of bass Teppei Kono. Mr. Kono’s career took an international leap when he made his debut at Singapore Lyric Opera in the title role of Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro”. Other Mozart roles include, the title role in “Don Giovanni”, Guglielmo and Don Alfonso in “Cosi fan tutte”, and Papageno in “Die Zauberflöte”. Out side of Mozart, Mr. Kono has performed as Angelotti in “Tosca”, Bonze and Yamadori in “Madama Butterfly”, Escamillo and Morales in Carmen, Malatesta in “Don Pasquale”, Belcore in “L’Elisir d’amore”. Apprenticeships with the San Francisco Opera Center’s Merola Program, Chicago Opera Theater’s Young Artist Program, and Lyric Opera Cleveland’s Apprentice Program, have provided opportunities to cover important major roles including Conte d’Almaviva in “Le Nozze di Figaro”, Leporello in “Don Giovanni”, and Chou En-Lai in John Adam’s “Nixon in China”

Mr. Kono made his symphonic debut with the Erie Philharmonic in Dvorak’s “Te Deum”. He has also made his debut with the Master Chorale of South Florida as a Bass soloist in Mozart’s “Requiem”. Other concert work also includes soloist of Fauré “Requiem” and Vaughan-Williams’ “Five Mystical Songs”. He was also one of the ten teams to perform at The Art Song Festival of Cleveland, OH. Mr. Kono is equally at home in recitals, he has performed not only in Chicago and Cleveland but also in Tokyo, Japan and Jakarta, Indonesia, where he also gave a public Master Class to the students of Renata Lim, an acclaimed Soprano and a voice instructor in Jakarta.

Mr. Kono won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in both Cleveland and Northern Illinois Districts, and was a finalist in both the Great Lakes and Central Regions. He was awarded the Encouragement Award from Gerda Lissner Foundation.

He received his Bachelor of Music and Professional Studies in Vocal Performance from Cleveland Institute of Music. He also received his Performance Diploma in Opera from Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

Time: Saturday, May 21 · 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: First Presbyterian Church of Miami; 609 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL

The incredible devastation in Japan caused by the Tōhoku earthquake and Pacific tsunami on March 11, 2011,  along with the subsequent aftershocks and ongoing nuclear situation have left many South Floridians with a sense of helplessness at not being able to do more to help the people of Japan, especially in today’s economic climate.

To raise much-needed funds for Japan, South Florida artists have united to present “Sakura: A Benefit Concert for Japan.” This concert will be held on Saturday, May 21st, 2011 at 7:00 pm inside the beautiful and historic First Presbyterian Church, which is located at 609 Brickell Avenue in Miami, Florida (on Brickell Avenue in the financial district).  Last year, South Florida artists with Amici dell’Arte and Hispanic-American Lyric Theatre presented “Voices For Haiti:  A Benefit Concert for Haiti.”

All proceeds are to benefit the American Red Cross through donations to the American Red Cross Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund. So that funds reach the Japan Red Cross as quickly as possible, donations can be made online to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund. A copy of your donation receipt is your ticket to the event. To donate online, visit: www.redcross.org, select “Donate” and select “Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.”

There will be a reception during intermission in the Fellowship Hall of the church, and a raffle will be held at the end of the concert.  Free parking is available directly behind the church.

Please call (305) 781-5528 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (305) 781-5528 end_of_the_skype_highlighting for information and reservations. Reservations are strongly encouraged.  Minimum requested donations for general seating will be accepted as follows: $15/general seating, $30/VIP seating, $10/students & seniors.

South Florida and Japanese musicians and artists will lend their talents to this event.  Featured artists include:   Federico Carosio III, Crosstown String Quartet, tenor Javier Abreu, pianist Sahily Canovas, violinist Garrett Charnin, soprano Betsy Diaz, baritone Enrique Estrada, Japanese soprano Iori Kotake, Japanese bass Teppei Kono, cellist Anna Litvinenko, soprano Ravenna Maer, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Maurel, pianist Sergio Puig, baritone Daniel Snodgrass, tenor Jesse James Vargas, soprano Joanne Martínez Von Gonten.

“Sakura” is Japanese for the blossom of the cherry tree.  The cherry blossom holds special significance for the Japanese people as it represents a new beginning, and its arrival is greatly celebrated in Japan and Washington, D.C.  The cherry blossom festivals usually take place in springtime.  This year, however, many such festivals were canceled or subdued in reverence to those who were displaced and/or killed due to the earthquakes, tsunami and aftermath.  The organizers hope that the proceeds of this concert will, like its namesake, help to promote new beginnings for the disaster’s victims.

This event is made possible by the kind contributions of:  First Presbyterian Church of Miami, Allegro Music Center, BankAtlantic Foundation, Federico Carosio III, Geico, Kunkel Insurance Agency, Kurt A. Von Gonten, P.A., Miami-Dade County, Orchestra Miami, Organiste, Redland Auction, Sunstate Bank, and Yin Care Clinic.

Amici dell’Arte, Inc. (Friends of the Arts) is operated and governed by South Florida artists, for South Florida artists since 1998, and is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt public charity organization since 2002.  Hispanic-American Lyric Theatre is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), tax exempt public charity organization, since 1987.

Visit First Presbyterian Church of Miami online:
http://www.fpcmiami.org/

Directions:
http://www.fpcmiami.org/directions.html

$15 donation = General Seating
$30 donation = VIP Seating
Raffle and Advertising Opportunities available

Information & Reservations:
operamici@yahoo.com
call (305) 781-5528 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (305) 781-5528 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Event Information: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=148589638539834
Amici dell’Arte Information: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amici-dellArte-Inc/108003212575464