Local teens join Fox Valley Lyrical professionals for performance

Fox Valley Lyrical Productions (formerly Soirée Lyrique) will hold a benefit event at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin, following the last installment of the Proverbial Opera series presented by the Rev. Rick Carlson.

Singers featured during the event include mezzo-soprano Karen Archbold of Wheaton, soprano Wendy Cotton of Carpentersville, tenor Nicholas Metzger of Elgin, bass-baritone Jim Hinton of Elgin and artistic director and soprano Solange Sior of West Dundee.

Young Artist Program vocalists set to perform include Julia Smitendorf, 14, of Lake in the Hills and Blake Buczkiewicz, 15, of Huntley.

The presentation will feature Hinton, Archbold and Solange Sior in the trio "Soave sia il vento" from the Mozart opera "Cosi fan tutte."

Pianist Jonathan Besancon of South Elgin will accompany the singers. While listening to the singers, audience members can enjoy refreshments and view auction items.

The group is asking for donations only.

"We are in need of donations to help us in the production of a series of professional concerts and to provide training and performing opportunities to our Young Artist Program," Sior said. "Part of the mission of Fox Valley Lyrical Productions is to educate, encourage, challenge and develop aspiring singers in the classical vocal field, and expose the audience to the interesting stories of the operas."

Fox Valley Lyrical Productions also accepts donation at www.foxvalleylyricalproductions.org, or checks can be sent to: Fox Valley Lyrical Productions, 326 Wilcox Ave., Elgin, IL 60123.

This event is made possible by the support of Carlson and First United Methodist Church in Elgin.