WORCESTER, MA February 3, 2025 – Mechanics Hall is pleased to present “Love and Romance: A Night of Italian Opera.” The performance will take place in the Great Hall of Mechanics Hall on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 and features internationally acclaimed composer, organist, and pianist Leonardo Ciampa.
“Leonardo’s past programs have been so moving, powerful and delicate at the same time,” said Kathleen Gagne, Executive Director of Mechanics Hall. “This program is not just for people who are already opera aficionados. Opera is full of drama and humor, splendor and charm, so this can be a fabulous introduction and a unique experience for music enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a bit of the spectacular.”
“Italian opera holds a special place in my heart,” said Maestro Ciampa. “The music and language are inextricably fused. Having played piano for thousands of voice lessons and performances, in America and Italy, I’ve noted that 90% of voice technique is related to vowels Italians use every day. Much of this can’t be fully appreciated unless you experience it live, sung by talented singers in a hall with exceptional acoustics – and it’s no state secret that Mechanics Hall has some of the greatest acoustics in the country, if not the world.”
Ciampa will provide piano accompaniment during the program, which will include selections from Puccini’s “La rondine” and “Manon Lescaut,” Verdi’s “La traviata” and “Il trovatore,” Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “L’elisir d’amore,” and “Maria di Rohan,” and Mascagni’s “Cavalleria rusticana.” Singing these arias and ensembles are baritone Michael Meraw, tenors Teddy Edgar and Lucas Hickman, mezzo-soprano Heather Gallagher, and sopranos Olga Lisovska and Letitia Stevens.
Seating and service begins at 7:00pm, with performances from 7:30-9:30pm and a brief intermission. Patrons can choose between standard theatre seating and a VIP Package, which Gagne noted tends to sell quickly. “While the music will be beautiful from anywhere in the Great Hall, the cocktail seating and delicious food seem to transport you to Italy by bring additional senses into the experience,” she said. The VIP Package includes a reserved table for 2 in a premium section, charcuterie and sweet treats. A full bar will have additional selections for purchase. Seating selections can be made when purchasing tickets at MechanicsHall.org/Tickets.
The Great Hall is located on the 3rd floor of Mechanics Hall, which is accessible by elevator from the Waldo Street entrance, or by stairs from both the Main Street and Waldo Street entrances. Tickets can be purchased online through MechanicsHall.org/Tickets, or by calling the Ticket Office at 508.752.0888 Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm.
About Leonardo Ciampa
Composer, organist, and pianist Leonardo Ciampa is a musician of international repute, having performed in numerous venues across North America and Europe. Currently, Ciampa is Director of Music at Our Lady of the Angels in Worcester (since 2024); Founding Director of the Organ Festival of Worcester (since 2023); and Maestro di Cappella Onorario of the Basilica in Gubbio, Italy (since 2015). Previously, he was the Artistic Director of the “Music for a Great Hall” concert series at Mechanics Hall (2023-2024); Mechanics Hall Composer-in-Residence (2021-2023); Founding Director of Art MetroWest (2012-2019); and Artistic Director of organ concerts at MIT (2009-2016). Learn more at LeonardoCiampa.com.
About Mechanics Hall
Steeped in the rich history of 19th century Worcester, Mechanics Hall is internationally regarded as one of the world’s great concert halls. Regionally, it is a meeting place beloved for the central New England location, its architecture, and the legacy of prominent figures engaged. The world’s most renowned orchestras and performers – including the London Philharmonic, Yo-Yo Ma, Ella Fitzerald, and Linda Ronstadt – have taken the Hall’s stage. Among the many luminaries who have spoken at Mechanics Hall are Charles Dickens, Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, and Mark Twain. In addition to serving as a premiere venue and recording site, Mechanics Hall offers inspiring cultural experiences for diverse audiences through a variety of creative initiatives, including free concerts, community events, a youth chorus, and collaborative programs with local colleges and nonprofit organizations.
Mechanics Hall is a nonprofit organization owned and operated by the Worcester County Mechanics Association, est. 1842. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more at MechanicsHall.org.
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