Our Soirée celebrates the origins of opera in seventeenth-century Italy and the influence of Italian camerate—societies of intellectuals, poets, and musicians—on later French salons, including that of Winnaretta Singer, Princesse de Polignac. This is a virtual benefit featuring an exclusive pre-recorded recital by Anna Reinhold and Justin Taylor, followed by a live interview with the artists and Ryan Brown.
Under the distinguished patronage of
Le Comte Gilbert de Pusy La Fayette
Anna Reinhold soprano
Justin Taylor harpsichord
in recital
performing music by
Barbara Strozzi
Girolamo Frescobaldi
Claudio Monteverdi
Premiere of exclusive recording for Opera Lafayette
filmed at La Fondation Singer-Polignac, Paris
Benefit Co-Chairs
Marifé Hernández
Nizam P. Kettaneh
Guest Hosts
Ishtar Méjanès
Maryvonne de Saint-Pulgent
Benefit Committee
Catia Z. Chapin
Francis Dubois
Susan A. Lynner
JoAnn Willis
Comité d’honneur
His Excellency Philippe Étienne
Ambassador of France to the United States
Jérémie Robert
Consul General of France in New York
Artists
Photo Credit: Charles Plumey
Anna Reinhold – After studying at the Conservatoire de Paris and the University of Vienna, Anna Reinhold made her stage debut under the direction of William Christie, as part of his academy, "Le Jardin des Voix"; this was followed by numerous engagements with Les Arts Florissants, in Europe and America. She now collaborates regularly with many conductors and ensembles: Leonardo García Alarcón (Cappella Mediterranea), Raphaël Pichon (Pygmalion), Laurence Equilbey (Accentus and Insula Orchestra), Jonathan Cohen (Balearic Islands Simphony Orchestra, Arcangelo ensemble, Orchestre d'Auvergne), Vincent Dumestre (Le Poème Harmonique), Simon-Pierre Bestion (La Tempête), Ryan Brown (Opera Lafayette), John Butt (Edinburgh Orchestra), Josh van Veldhoven (De Nederlandse Bachvereniging), Andrea Marcon (La Cetra Barockorchester Basel). Full bio at www.annareinhold.com.
Photo Credit: JB Millot
Justin Taylor – In 2015, aged only 23, the Franco-American musician Justin Taylor won First Prize at the prestigious International Musica Antiqua Harpsichord Competition in Bruges, obtaining, in addition, the Audience Prize, the Alpha Prize, and the EUBO Developing Trust Prize awarded to the most promising young European musician. He was later nominated as one of the three finalists in the “Instrumental Soloist Revelations” category at the 2017 “Victoires de la Musique”. That same year, the Professional Critics Association awarded him the “Musical Revelation of the Year” Prize. Justin has recorded for Deutsche Grammophon and currently collaborates with Alpha Classics. Full bio at www.justintaylorharpsichord.com.
Fondation Singer-Polignac
Courtesy of Fondation Singer-Polignac
In 1928, Winnaretta Singer, Princesse de Polignac, formed the foundation that bears her name, thus giving a legal frame to her long-term patronizing activities in favor of the arts, letters and sciences. Her musical salon welcomed Fauré, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, and Ravel. After the World War I, when her salon was overseen by Nadia Boulanger, her tastes became more avant-garde, and often present in her salon were Stravinsky or de Falla, and all the composers of Les Six, with Francis Poulenc, Georges Auric, Germaine Tailleferre, Darius Milhaud, Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger. After the death of the princess in 1943, the Fondation inherited her Paris mansion, reopening to the public in 1945. Continuing Winnaretta Singer’s patronage of emerging artists to this day, the Fondation Singer-Polignac provide artists from the best European music schools a place to rehearse and perform, including under its auspices this recital by Justin Taylor and Anna Reinhold.
Tickets
Maecenas — $800
Access to the premiere of Anna Reinhold and Justin Taylor’s recital
Includes one gift box of delicious confections delivered to the patron
Live Q&A with the soloists and Ryan Brown
Sponsorship recognition if invitation returned by June 14
$700 tax deductible
Angel — $400
Access to the premiere of Anna Reinhold and Justin Taylor’s recital
Live Q&A with the soloists and Ryan Brown
Sponsorship recognition if invitation returned by June 14
$400 tax deductible
Each ticket grants access to the Soirée for a household. If you are interested in hosting other guests either at the Maecenas or Angel level to benefit Opera Lafayette (akin to purchasing a table), please write Austin Stewart, Director of Development, at austinstewart@operalafayette.org.
Opera Lafayette
Opera Lafayette is the pre-eminent American interpreter and producer of period-instrument opera from the 17th through the 19th centuries and an international leader in this repertoire. Based on meticulous research and the creation of modern performing editions, the company’s compelling performances and recordings of rediscovered gems and historical masterpieces highlight the works’ original appeal and introduce a new generation to their contemporary relevance.