Time: 3:00PM–6:00PM

Calling all Opera Lovers and Oenophiles!!!

Cavalleria rusticana by Pietro Mascagni,
performed by Opera Appassionata
at the Wellbrook Winery, Delta, BC.

Dear Retirees,

Following the success of the Playhouse tour and performance last month, I'd like to announce an opportunity for retirees to get together for a wonderful musical event in May.

Opera Appassionata is a local operatic group that has scheduled four operas and concerts for 2008/9. Of particular interest is their performance on Sunday afternoon, May 24th at 3 pm of Mascagni's opera Cavalleria Rusticana at the Wellbrook Winery in Delta. Wellbrook Winery is located at 4626 88th St., near the intersection of Highway 10 and Ladner Trunk Road. Here is a map.

I've talked to Frank Klassen, the Artistic Director for Opera Appassionata, and he confirmed that this will be a fully staged opera with orchestra in a heritage barn on-site. Although the opera is written in one act, this performance will have two acts and an intermission. The intermission will provide an opportunity for patrons to sample the wines of Wellbrook Winery (at a nominal price) and thereby enhance their enjoyment of the second half of the opera (in which Turiddu gets his just rewards for messing around with Lola, Alfio's wife).

The SFURA is eligible for a group rate of $15/ticket if we can put together a group of 10 or more. However, this will need to be done in advance of the performance date (no group sales at the gate, and no refunds). So, as a first step, would those interested in attending, please email me as soon as possible (certainly not later than May 8th) and I will create a list of potential attendees. If we have at least 10 interested people, I will let you know and at that time ask that you send me a cheque or cross my palm with cash. I can then write a cheque to Frank for the entire group.

I look forward to a great afternoon of music and wine and good companionship.