The annual Opera Club of The Villages scholarship concert has always been about voice, music and spirit.
The “Three Tenors Plus One,” Harold S. Schwartz scholarship concert Saturday at The Sharon carried on that tradition.
Maestro Bill Doherty, Devin Eatmon and Fanyong Du provided the powerful tenor voices while soprano Corinne Bach charmed the audience in the “plus one” role.
Since Doherty left his usual spot behind the piano, Sean Pollock, Director of Worship at New Covenant United Methodist Church, supplied the music.
And the spirit?
As it was two decades ago during the first scholarship concert, it was Saturday — the spirit of the late Oscar Feliu permeated the event. Feliu came up with the scholarship concert idea and founded the The Opera Club of The Villages. It has raised about $250,000 for local students over the years.
Doherty was thinking of Feliu during the opening performance, “Parlami d’amore, Mariu (Speak to me of love Maria)”
“I met Oscar when we were both working as entertainers at Disney,” Doherty said. “I became his voice teacher and this is a song I taught Oscar and he loved to sing it.
“This whole ‘Three Tenors…’ scholarship was the brainchild of Oscar. He birthed it. I’m singing this as a tribute to Oscar.”
Opera is filled with drama and emotion, and Doherty delivered the vocal with tender passion. He did the same on another tribute to his mentor, opera singer Licia Albanese. She died a few years ago at 105.
“We brought her here to The Villages to produce some operas,” Doherty reminisced. “She was in ‘The Merry Widow’ and performed with Oscar. She made quite an entrance with him.”
Doherty then sang “Non ti scordar di me (Don’t Forget Me),” to honor his two late friends and musical associates. It was a memorable effort, and you could tell by the look on Doherty’s face, it came from the heart. He may be best known for playing piano and conducting, but Doherty displayed vocal majesty.
Devin Eatmon won a Schwartz scholarship while a student at The Villages High School. He is now in his third year at Florida State University and his talent continues to blossom.
“We are very proud to feature Devin tonight, a shining example of your contributions at work,” Gerri Piscitelli told the audience in her opening remarks.
Eatmon not only delivers vocal energy but has a charismatic stage personality. He also knows when to soften the vocal as he did on “Torna a Surriento.” Eatmon turned to Broadway for what is becoming a trademark song, “Bring Him Home,” from “Les Miserables.”
Fanyong Du’s biography almost sounds like the plot to an opera. He was born in China, raised in Russia and has performed throughout the world. Doherty spotted him at a singing competition in New York and brought him to The Villages.
Du is like an actor on stage, bringing the lyrics alive with expressions and vocal dexterity. He sang an aria from Tchaikovsky with gentle grace and added some pop music flair to “Granada.”
Corinne Bach sparkled with a bright red dress and engaging smile. She knows her way around a stage and has performed with a variety of acts, including Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban and Kenny Rogers.
Bach, who recently released an album called “In Circles,” teaches voice and music near Tampa. She brought The Sharon crowd to life during a spirited sing-a-long on “I Could Have Danced All Night,” from “My Fair Lady.” Bach showed her serious and classical side on a selection from “La Boheme.”
All the tenors romped through a roaring version of “O sole mio” and the performers gathered again for “Nessun Dorma.”
This was a concert filled with dynamic performances but it meant more than entertainment to Gerri Piscitelli and the Opera Club.
“We want to continue the example Oscar Feliu set in helping young, local artists,” she said. “Our goal is to help these talented young people reach their goals.”