LA Opera Talk with Live Singers!

The February 21st Opera Talk will be on Mozart’s The Magic Flute and will feature live singers performing selections from this classic opera that has long been a favorite for children and adults. Thanks to the Friends of Crowell Public Library, Soprano Anne Gholson and baritone Cody Lowry will be joined by tenor Roberto Esqivelzeta and perform excerpts from the opera, including such delights as the Queen of the Night aria.

Cody Lowry grew up in Pasadena,CA and studied classical voice at Pasadena City College. He's worked with Aram Barsamian, Gail Gordon, and thanks to the Pamela L. Gerard Scholarship, the internationally acclaimed artist Carol Vaness. He has performed such roles as Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro at PCC), Masetto (Don Giovanni), Don Alfonso (Cosi fan Tutte at The Broad Stage), and Papageno (The Magic Flute at PCC). Anne Gholson obtained her B.A. of Music, with a focus in Vocal Performance at Cal State University, Long Beach. Once her love of opera had blossomed, she performed the role of Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro. Anne has had musical theater roles as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, and Vera Charles in Mame.
Tenor Roberto Esquivelzeta hails from México City and first studied with Maestra Diana Jimenez, and Maestro Julio Julián. Since then he has accumulated a multitude of performance credits, including his 2014 Los Angeles debut in concert with the Repertory Opera Company. In 2015 he sang the main role in the opera I Pagliacci with the renowned Maestro Frank Paul Fetta and the Marina Del Rey Symphony Orchestra. He has sung the role of Prince Ishizukuri in the U.S. premiere of the Japanese opera Kaguya-HIme at the Aratani Theatre in Los Angeles.

The popular LA Opera Talk series brings community educators to Crowell Public Library where they present fascinating facts and excerpts from the operas that are playing downtown at the Music Center. The always knowledgeable and entertaining speakers talk about the story of the opera, and give information about the composer and the music. Come explore the world of opera through LA Opera’s education programs. Opera is literature, social studies, cultural diversity, multiple languages and most of all, it is exciting! It has something for everyone. Don’t miss this special LA Opera Talk brought to all by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library.

Linda O. Johnston: Bite the Biscuit

Thursday February 11th 7:00 p.m.

The Friends of Crowell Public Library’s Meet the Authors series continues with Linda O. Johnston, author of the Barkery and Biscuits Mystery series about veterinary technician Carrie Kennersly, known for her healthy dog treats at the clinic where she works. When the owner of the local bakery moves away, Carrie jumps at the chance to buy the business and convert half of it into a “barkery,” a shop where she can make and sell her canine delights. But Myra Ethman, co-owner of another pet product store, hates the competition, insisting she'll find a way to shut the place down. When Myra is found dead with a Barkery biscuit beside her, Carrie must prove she didn't do it before she's collared for murder.

Local writer Linda O. Johnston's first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the year. Since then, Linda, a former transactional lawyer, has published more short stories, novellas, romance and mystery novels, including the Pet Rescue Mystery Series and Pet-Sitter mysteries. She currently writes the Superstition Mysteries and the Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries, and also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. Her short story Love on Sunset Boulevard is part of the anthology Murder on Sunset Boulevard. She is a member of the Orange County chapter of the Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Los Angeles Chapter, the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. Linda lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lexie and Mystie.

If mysteries and romance intrigue, come to Crowell Library and learn more about Linda O. Johnston on Thursday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the library’s Barth Community. Thanks to the Friends of the Library, the authors keep coming to Crowell Public Library!