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EAST PASSYUNK OPERA PROJECT PRESENTS ‘LOVE NOTES 4 PHILLY’

Society hill
EAST PASSYUNK OPERA PROJECT PRESENTS ‘LOVE NOTES 4 PHILLY’ SPOTLIGHTING COMMUNITY AID GROUPS AND STARRING TWO ARTISTS FROM OPERA PHILADELPHIA’S THE ANONYMOUS LOVER

 
* Concert Will Connect Audience with Mutual Aid Groups that Support the Underserved

* Cabaret Performance Includes Stars from Opera Philadelphia’s The Anonymous Lover and a Musical Excerpt from the Opera

Philadelphia, PA – East Passyunk Opera Project is proud to reunite with Society Hill Dance Academy and Top Dog Cocktails to present the highly anticipated Love Notes 4 Philly, the fourth and final concert experience in its beloved Love Notes series that started in 2021. The performance will take place on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 7:30pm at Society Hill Dance Academy, located at 1919 East Passyunk Avenue. This final installment of Love Notes will celebrate the power of community and shine a spotlight on the vital work of mutual aid organizations. The evening will feature performances by an impressive roster of artists who have performed at world-renowned venues including The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Cultural Campus, and many others across the U.S. and Europe. Audiences will also be treated to special performances by two of the stars from Opera Philadelphia’s The Anonymous Lover, adding an exciting element to the program. Tickets for Love Notes 4 Philly are now available at epopphilly dot org. General admission tickets are priced at $35, while VIP tickets are available for $50. All ticket holders will enjoy two exclusive cocktails from Top Dog Cocktails, including the chance to be among the first to try their new Strawberry Margarita flavor, adding a delicious touch to the evening.  Love Notes 4 Philly is sponsored by Circle Thrift, RE/MAX One Realty - The Capri Dessecker Team, Society Hill Dance Academy, and Top Dog Cocktails. 

 
Philadelphians may recall ePOP’s first 3 Love Notes concerts: During the first winter of the covid pandemic, ePOP presented Love Notes, a virtual cabaret featuring world-class opera artists performing songs celebrating love.

The following year, ePOP introduced Love Notes 2.0: Sour Notes, which focused on the real and less than ideal side of love. Presented in both virtual and in-person formats, the concert reached a broader audience while showcasing the talent of Philadelphia-based artists.

Last year, ePOP returned with Love Notes 3: Notes to Self, a contemplation on self-reflection, struggle, and growth… with a little levity and humor mixed in.

The series has been themed around variations on love. That which we share with lovers, that which we share with and for ourselves, that which destroys us. To close out the series, it seemed fitting to end with the greatest love of all: that which we share with one another - the love of community.

What does the love of a community look like? Action. Action made manifest. It is leaning on one another when we cannot stand on our own. Love Notes 4 Philly will not only be a performance, but a manner of fostering community that extends beyond the individual, allowing audience members to find actions they can continue beyond the performance. At the show, ePOP will connect the audience to several mutual aid groups in Philadelphia, and to the direct work needed to uplift them. That is love made manifest.

The cabaret will feature incredible Philadelphia artists who will offer refuge and catharsis amid works ranging from Simon and Garfunkel to Joseph Bologne, and many more.

Love Notes 4 Philly will feature artists from past Love Notes concerts: soprano Ashley Marie Robillard, mezzo-soprano Maren Montalbano, soprano Katrina Thurman, and ePOP music director, Aurelien Eulert. Cookie Diorio returns as the host for the evening, and Omar Saleem is back as beatmaker, DJ, and co-creator. And introducing, baritone Johnathan McCullough.

Both Robillard and McCullough will star in The Anonymous Lover at Opera Philadelphia which opens at the end of January. Love Notes 4 Philly is one of several ancillary events Opera Philadelphia is highlighting around the premiere of The Anonymous Lover.

“For our 4th and final Love Notes concert, we wanted to focus on the love of community and to shine a light on ways to uplift one another,” said ePOP General and Artistic Director Katrina Thurman. "We're excited to welcome back most of the original cast of Love Notes for this special concert, and to be partnering with Opera Philadelphia as part of the ancillary events surrounding The Anonymous Lover. We're also thrilled to feature two of the opera's stars, along with a musical selection from this rarely performed gem."

Love Notes 4 Philly is a special collaboration of Philadelphia-based businesses reuniting to highlight unique, world-class artists that make Philadelphia their home. Ticket holders will enjoy performances by artists who have performed at venues including The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, Opera Philadelphia, the Kimmel Cultural Center, and many other celebrated venues throughout the United States and Europe.

Following the success of the debut of Love Notes in 2021, Love Notes 2.0… Sour Notes in 2022, and Love Notes 3: Notes to Self last year, Love Notes 4 Philly is back— bigger, better, and more exciting than ever for its fourth and final installment.

ePOP’s Love Notes 4 Philly will take place at 7:30pm on January 11th at Society Hill Dance Academy; 1919 E. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148. Doors open at 6:45pm. Audiences are invited to come to the neighborhood early and catch dinner at one of East Passyunk’s neighborhood haunts before the show. The modern industrial event space at Society Hill Dance Academy is inspired by the arts and the eclectic energy of the surrounding neighborhood with steel beams, bistro lighting, and a striking, historic brick bar. ePOP is teaming up with Top Dog Cocktails to offer two complimentary cocktails to each guest over 21 years of age:

Top dogs
Strawberry Margarita- Introducing Top Dog Cocktails’ freshest new flavor: Strawberry Margarita! This twist on a classic margarita will surely satisfy all the senses. The pink hue of this marg invites you in, while the combination of sweet, tart, and tangy from top-shelf tequila and refreshing strawberry delight the tastebuds. It's an ideal cocktail for any occasion! Feel free to sugar or salt a rim and pour over ice to enjoy as if you're relaxing on a perfect summer day. Be among the first to experience this refreshing cocktail!


Greyhound- A classic cocktail featuring vodka and grapefruit, Greyhound is reimagined with the aromatics and flavors of rosemary and elderflower. Pouring the palest of pink hues, this concoction is as refreshing as it is beautiful when garnished with a twist of grapefruit or sprig of rosemary. Light and subtly sour, yet incredibly smooth, this cocktail is every bit as sophisticated as the dapper dog that is its namesake.

Whiskey Lemonade- Upon first whiff, you're immediately greeted with a bright, lemon aroma. More tangy than sour, the smooth whiskey flavor is complemented by a vibrant lemon burst on the tongue that concludes with a subtle sweetness and lemon zest, rounded out by a light orange finish.

Blood Orange Margarita- The vibrant, almost electric, red-orange color of Blood Orange Margarita invites the drinker in while the combination of sweet, tart, and tangy from the agave spirit and citrus fruits delight the tastebuds. This twist on a classic margarita is sure to satisfy all the senses.  

Peach Mango Tea- Here's the tea: Boasting big aromas of white peach and ripe mango, this vodka-based cocktail is full-flavored from the first sip to the last drop. Not overtly sweet or sugary, there's nothing artificial to distract you from the tropical fruitiness and hint of lemon.

Performance is at 7:30pm (doors 6:45pm). Tickets are $35 for general admission and $50 for a VIP ticket to the show. General admission includes two complimentary cocktails and general admission seating (first come, first served). VIP tickets include two complimentary cocktails and reserved seating near the front of the stage.

Tickets are now live at www dot epopphilly dot org. For more information about this collaboration and Love Notes 4 Philly, contact Katrina Thurman at East Passyunk Opera Project at kthurman at epopphilly dot com.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Cookie Diorio, vocalist & host

Cookie Diorio (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based drag performer, a classically trained vocalist, a songwriter, an activist, a husband, music teacher, and lover of all things sparkly. She mastered walking in 5 inch stilettos in the night clubs of Boston, achieved her hair fantasy by studying vintage videos of Grace Bumbry and founded the giving project Art of the Heel.  Diorio grew up in historic Auburn, NY with gospel in her ears, civil rights in her blood and many songs in her heart. She trained at Ithaca College in the voice studio of Angus Godwin and learned the many different skills of western classical music from master teachers such as Carol McAmis in vocal pedagogy, Lawrence Doebler in choral arts, Dana Wilson in composition and Patrick Hansen in opera coaching. While Diorio has been in and out of the drag scene since 2002, she began performing regularly in the Philadelphia area as host of the Art Song Repertory Theater Company’s salon series “Saturday Afternoon Drinking Songs” in 2013. Since, she has produced and performed in the off-broadway one woman show "Fire In My Bones: A Gospel Jubilee'' (Kraine Theater), several Philly Fringe shows including Beauty From Our Sorrows, Telling Herstories, Forces of Nature, and I, Too, Sing America. In 2022 she premiered the role of Oracle in the world premiere performance of Andrea Clearfield's Beyond the Binary. She performs regularly with the Bearded Ladies Cabaret and Opera Philadelphia, and is a soloist and host for events, galas, concerts and on the cabaret stage.

Aurelien Eulert, pianist

Hailing from Alsace, France, Aurelien Eulert made his U.S. house debut in 2014 with Palm Beach Opera as diction coach for their production of Les contes d’Hoffmann and head coach for the Young Artist Program. Before and since then, he has been on the music staff of Charlottesville Opera, Opera Memphis, Opera Roanoke, Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, USC Thornton Opera, UCLA Alpert School of Music, Pacific Opera Project and the Los Angeles Opera Education department. Aurelien has played for acclaimed singers such as Marilyn Horne, Phyllis Curtin, Dawn Upshaw, Frederica von Stade and Rod Gilfry. He has assisted and performed under conductors such as James Conlon, Robert Spano and John Williams. In 2019, Aurelien was named Head of Music Staff of OperaDelaware and oversaw the company’s Young Artist Program. He had previously held the position of Chorus Master and Principal Pianist since 2017. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, he was instrumental in OperaDelaware’s switch to digital and outdoor performances and managed the acclaimed Pop-Up Opera program with outdoor presentations on the company’s mobile stage. Aurelien’s recent seasons included a return to the theatre stage with OperaDelaware and Opera Baltimore, and his debut with Opera Philadelphia, Opera Southwest and Opera Montana. His 2024/25 season also includes a return to Opera Montana in the Spring, and debuts at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Johnathan McCullough, baritone

GRAMMY® nominated baritone and director, Johnathan McCullough, recently premiered his production of David T. Little’s Soldier Songs produced by Opera Philadelphia which was nominated by the Recording Academy for Best of Recording, an International Opera Award nomination, and won the Artistic Creation Prize at the inaugural Opera America Awards for Digital Excellence. He recently made his Canadian directing debut with the Atelier lyrique of Opéra de Montréal with a program entitled Emily centered around works written by Emily Dickinson, which he co-created with conductor and pianist Christopher Allen. Other recent appearances include singing the baritone soloist in Britten’s War Requiem at Walt Disney Concert Hall and recital with pianist Carol Wongs as part of the Carnegie Hall Citywide Series.

He has sung leading roles at Opera Philadelphia, Komische Oper Berlin, English National Opera, Opéra de Lausanne, Portland Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and many more. Johnathan was selected by Renée Fleming to participate in the Weill Institute Song Studio at Carnegie Hall where he has also performed in concert. Upcoming singing engagements include appearances with Pittsburgh Opera as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Opera Philadelphia as Ophémon in The Anonymous Lover, and Lyric Opera Kansas City as Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette. He holds a B.M., M.M., and Artist Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music and has been engaged as a guest speaker with institutions across the US and Canada including Yale, Curtis, Wolf Trap, UCLA, Young ARTS, Opéra de Montreal, and Pacific Opera Victoria. He currently serves as the Opera Program Director for the National Children’s Chorus leading Vail Opera Camp. As a director, McCullough’s work has been noted by The New York Times as “a pacesetter for cinematic opera”.

Maren Montalbano, mezzo-soprano

Ms. Montalbano can be heard on four GRAMMY Award-winning albums: Born (2023) Lansing McLoskey’s Zealot Canticles (2019), Gavin Bryars’ The Fifth Century (2018), and John Adams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning work, On the Transmigration of Souls (2005). She appears on over 30 commercial recordings, including Douglas Cuomo’s opera Arjuna’s Dilemma, Kile Smith’s Vespers, Lewis Spratlan’s Hesperus is Phosphorus, Edie Hill’s Evolutionary Spirits, Ted Hearne’s Sound from the Bench, and her debut solo album, Sea Tangle: Songs from the North.

Ms. Montalbano has been a guest artist with the Lancaster Symphony, Folger Consort, Lyric Fest, Choral Arts Philadelphia, Network for New Music, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, and Piffaro, the Renaissance Band. Her voice has been hailed as “pure, suave and sensuous” (Philadelphia Inquirer) and “impeccable” (Broad Street Review). She wrote, produced, and starred in an interactive digital one-woman show called The Bodice Ripper Project, which had its world premiere at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. In the 2024-25 season, Ms. Montalbano continues to walk the line between the digital and live worlds, currently developing a staged performance using hybrid live electronics.

Ashley Marie Robillard, soprano

Acclaimed for her "fresh-brook lyric soprano" (Parterre Box) and "robust sounds and emotions" (Broadway World), Ashley Marie Robillard emerges as a compelling narrator, enchanting audiences in opera houses, recital venues, and cabaret halls. She has graced esteemed stages such as the War Memorial Opera House, Academy of Music, Jordan Hall, National Portrait Gallery, and Trocadero Theater, and has collaborated with renowned institutions including Washington Concert Opera, Opera Philadelphia, the Amarillo Symphony, Opera Grand Rapids, and Opera Lafayette. Robillard's love for chamber music is marked by collaborations with the Dolce Suono Ensemble and a professional chamber debut with Music From Angel Fire. A fervent champion of contemporary works, she has performed pieces by George Benjamin, David Hertzberg, Rene Orth, Shulamit Ran, and participated in world premieres, including compositions by Dai Wei and Alistair Coleman. In the realm of recitals,  Robillard shines, co-curating performances with Opera Philadelphia and Classical Movements, and earning acclaim as a Gerda Lissner Lieder/Art Song competition grant award winner. Beyond the concert hall,  Robillard graces cabaret stages, lending her voice to the Bearded Ladies' Late Nite Snacks series, Stephanie Blythe's Queens of the Night cabaret series, and the Love Notes series by East Passyunk Opera Project. She spent three years doing a nationwide tour of the Italienisches Liederbuch by Hugo Wolf alongside renowned educator and pianist, Mikael Eliasen. Robillard is an alumna of the Curtis Institute of Music, the Merola Opera Program, the Wolf Trap Opera studio artist program, and the Opera Philadelphia Emerging Artist Program.

Omar Saleem, DJ & Beatmaker

Omar Saleem, a seasoned beat maker and drummer, graduated from Gamp High School with a passion for music that has defined his life. With over 25 years of experience, Saleem has become a luminary in the music scene, specializing in hip-hop, boom-bap, R&B, and house genres. At 47 years old, his musical journey has taken him to stages around the world, including captivating performances in Puerto Rico, Berlin, Cologne, and numerous venues across the United States. A maestro in crafting beats, Saleem's skillful production has left an indelible mark on the industry. From the rhythmic beats that echo his drumming expertise to the seamless fusion of genres in his compositions, his music resonates with a diverse audience. Beyond the spotlight, Saleem's dedication to his craft has been the driving force behind his enduring success. Whether in the studio or on stage, Omar Saleem continues to be a dynamic force in the world of music, blending tradition with innovation to create a sonic landscape that captivates the hearts of music enthusiasts globally. His journey is a testament to the timeless power of rhythm and melody, leaving an everlasting imprint on the ever-evolving tapestry of musical expression.

Katrina Thurman, soprano

Soprano and ePOP General and Artistic Director Katrina Thurman has been praised for her “remarkably vibrant and flexible voice” (Gramophone) and her “wonderfully clear sound and natural warmth of character” (Opera News). She is a versatile artist who has built a solid reputation performing traditional operatic repertoire while also specializing in contemporary opera and American musical theatre. Her repertoire encompasses over 45 roles in six languages and has taken her to theaters including The Metropolitan Opera where she made her stage debut in Akhnaten, as well as Opéra de Lyon and Festival Lyrique de Belle-Ile en Mer (France), Oper Bonn (Germany), Opera Philadelphia, The Dallas Opera, The Glimmerglass Festival, Florentine Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Opera Omaha, Utah Opera, Tulsa Opera, American Opera Projects, Syracuse Opera, Sacramento Opera, Anchorage Opera, Shreveport Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Center for Contemporary Opera, and the Aspen Music Festival. Thurman was recently appointed Director of Artistic Administration at Opera Omaha. Follow her on Instagram @katrinasoprano.  

ABOUT EAST PASSYUNK OPERA PROJECT (ePOP)

East Passyunk Opera Project (ePOP) was developed to create opportunities to bring opera off the stage and into Philadelphia communities. They bring the art form up close and personal in order to build a more intimate level of engagement between audiences, the artists, and the music. From their first packed house concert in December of 2019, ePOP quickly pivoted to alternative venues in 2020 and staged successful outdoor performances as well as digital productions. They collaborate with local opera singers, visual artists, musicians, and performance artists who are well established and revered in their individual art forms but may not be recognized by their local communities and neighbors. Additionally, ePOP presents internationally acclaimed, award-winning vocalists alongside local artists, exposing our Philadelphia neighbors to excellent interpreters of opera, art song, musical theater, and the visual arts. ePOP’s mission is to expand community awareness and access to opera, musical theater, and art song by collaborating with exceptional performance and visual artists paired with unique venues to bring innovative, accessible, and free or low-cost performances to Philadelphia audiences. Their overarching goal is to make classical music approachable and never “stuffy.” For more about ePOP, visit epopphilly dot org - and follow @epopphilly on Instagram.

ABOUT SOCIETY HILL DANCE ACADEMY

Society Hill Dance Academy, established in 2002, helps students achieve goals at their own pace. They teach all their dance classes in a style that is clear, supportive and fun. Their beautiful 2 story studio also boasts nearly 10,000 sf of stunning event space including beautiful hardwood floors and large floor to ceiling windows overlooking the trendy East Passyunk Avenue. It is a distinct modern industrial event space and is the perfect venue for weddings, celebrations, and corporate events. Inspired by both the arts and the eclectic energy of the surrounding neighborhood, this two-story venue makes a statement with steel beams, beautiful bistro lighting, and striking features including a historic brick bar and outdoor garden patio. One of the city’s most innovative events spaces, Society Hill Dance Academy fuses creative elegance with an authentic vibe. Exceeding expectations and rising above the ordinary, it is the perfect setting for your once-in-a-lifetime wedding or special event. For more about Society Hill Dance Academy, visit www dot societyhilldance dot com and follow @societyhilldanceacademy on Instagram.

ABOUT TOP DOG COCKTAILS

Welcome to the pack! Top Dog Cocktails’ flavor profiles were born and bred in Pennsylvania, where their team got to work crafting sophisticated cocktail combinations using premium spirits and real ingredients. Their passion stemmed from the idea that the taste of your drinks matters and that the moments spent sipping should be savored. They set out with one goal in mind—to create the highest quality, best-tasting canned cocktails with honest and recognizable ingredients. Each flavor profile begins with a premium, spirit base from their co-packing partner, Boardroom Spirits Distillery in Lansdale, PA, combined with fresh fruit and all natural flavors. Then they pack those flavors into a convenient, ready-to-drink can. The result is a delicious, high-end, real Top Dog Cocktail experience that you can take anywhere. Now you can enjoy the craftsmanship of a cocktail you would find at your favorite restaurant or bar, right from the comfort of your couch. Top Dog Cocktails looks forward to developing and sharing new delicious flavors with you as their adventure continues!

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