SECOND QUARTER 2002
THE SOONER THE BETTER! CELEBRATION 2002 SET
FOR OCTOBER 24, 2002
In the intimacy of Northwestern University’s Pick-Staiger
Concert Hall, four of the brightest stars in the world of classical
and contemporary music and opera will come together. Joining them
will be the acclaimed Chicago Symphony Singers for an unforgettable
evening of music and magic. (See Full Story.)
- WHAT? CELEBRATION 2002, Rainbow’s 13th annual benefit
concert.
- WHEN? Thursday, October 24, 2002, 7:30 p.m.
- WHERE? Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University,
1977 Sheridan University, Evanston, IL, 60201
- WHY? To assist Over The Rainbow Association fund new
strategies to expand facilities and services assisting adults
with severe physical challenges.
Order tickets by phone at 847-328-1607, or order
by mail
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FLAG DEDICATION, GRAND OPENING OF MAGNIFICENT
NEW GARDENS HELD AT HILL ARBORETUM
A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS WILLING TO HELP MAINTAIN THE GARDENS. CONTACT
LEO KIRWAN (847-328-4507).
A July 27th ceremony marked the completion of Hill Arboretum’s
spectacular gardens and the dedication of the American flag to fly
on the property’s new 25-foot flagpole. On hand for the ceremony
were Evanston Mayor Lorraine Morton, Representatives Julie Hamos
and Jeff Schoenberg and Rainbow friends, board members and residents.
Evanstonian Scott Flack, who worked on the gardens as part of an
Eagle Scout project, helped to raise the flag, while world-renowned
soprano Nancy Gustafson led in the singing of the National Anthem
(see photo at right).
Honored were members of the Highland and Lincolnwood garden clubs,
whose tireless work on site and generous financial support transformed
the Hill Arboretum grounds into a true showplace where residents
and friends can gather outdoors. For the enjoyment of visitors,
the garden clubs will install small signs identifying various plantings.
Said Eric Huffman, Rainbow’s Executive Director, “We
are deeply grateful to the garden clubs and the 60 women who worked
so hard to make this dream a reality.”
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THE BRILLIANT STARS OF CELEBRATION 2002 COME
OUT OCTOBER 24! ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY
CELEBRATION DEBUT FOR CHICAGO SYMPHONY SINGERS
The Chicago Symphony Singers is no ordinary choral group. The newly
established 24-person ensemble invites listeners to discover "how
the creative use of space and sound expands and enhances the experience
of vocal music." Over The Rainbow proudly welcomes this agile,
exhilarating group to the CELEBRATION stage for the first time.
Writing after the Singers' debut in May at Orchestra Hall, Chicago
Tribune music critic John von Rhein noted, "With the advent
of the Chicago Symphony Singers, a city rich in choral activity
just got richer."
The exciting repertoire of the Chicago Symphony Singers includes
the music of American composers Stephen Foster and Charles Ives,
as well as Shakespearean text settings by Ralph Vaughan Williams
and Benjamin Britten and audience-pleasing commissioned compositions.
Performances typically include a mix of solos, duets, quartets and
quintets.
The Singers' jubilant, joyful music is accompanied by creative
staging and lively movement. Under Conductor Duain Wolfe, piano
accompanist Sharon Peterson and Stage Director Gary Griffin, the
Chicago Symphony Singers promises the CELEBRATION audience a richly
entertaining experience.
In addition to its triumphant Orchestra Hall debut, the "company
of singers," as Conductor Wolfe likes to call the group, this
year thrilled audiences in Cincinnati, Ohio and Concord, New Hampshire
with beautiful vocal artistry and theatrical twists. By all accounts,
the Chicago Symphony Singers ensemble is poised for soaring success,
locally, nationally and internationally.
It is a great pleasure for Rainbow to bring the Chicago Symphony
Singers to CELEBRATION 2002!
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SAMUEL RAMEY
 Today's
foremost interpreter of bass and bass-baritone repertoire, Samuel
Ramey is back by popular demand to sing for the fourth time in CELEBRATION.
A New York Times review said, "Few voices at any range work
as well and are used to better purpose so consistently as Mr. Ramey's."
And the Hamburger Abendblatt noted, "To put it succinctly,
his performance was that all too rare evening of world-class caliber."
This season Mr. Ramey will sing Don Carlo with the Vienna State
Opera; L'amore dei tre re with the Zurich Opera; Les vepres Siciliennes
with the Opera National de Paris; Susannah with the Lyric; Les Contes
D'Hoffmann with the Los Angeles Opera; Nabucco and Rake's Progress
with the Metropolitan Opera; and Atilla with the Opera Orchestra
of New York. His recital appearances include Amsterdam, Vienna,
Madrid and Lisbon and several U.S. venues.
Renowned for his portrayals of villains, Mr. Ramey is tremendously
versatile. To the bel canto of Bellini, Rossini and Donizetti, the
lyric and dramatic roles of Mozart and Verdi, and the heroic roles
of Russian and French composers, Mr. Ramey brings uncommon talent
as vocalist and actor.
During each performance before the CELEBRATION audience, Mr. Ramey
wins new fans who also treasure his artistic approach to
lighter, contemporary music. Samuel Ramey is a legend in the world
of opera, and a wonderful friend to Rainbow.
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NANCY GUSTAFSON
 For
world-acclaimed soprano Nancy Gustafon, CELEBRATION 2002 will be
the sole U.S. appearance this season. Her fans in Europe, however,
will see the statuesque artist in several notable roles.
In September and October in Switzerland, Ms. Gustafson will sing
Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier, Jiri Kout conducting.
In November and December, Ms. Gustafson will appear in a new production
of Jonny Spielt Auf in Vienna's Staatsoper, with Seiji Ozawa conducting.
Next she travels to Munich to sing during January, February and
March in a new production of Gotterdammerung at the Bayerische Staatsoper,
Zubin Mehta conducting.
Also in March, Ms. Gustafson begins a series of concerts. She will
sing the title role in a concert of Ariadne auf Naxos in the Canary
Islands; a concert with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Frederic
Chaslin conducting; and concerts in Dresden, Germany of Rossini's
"Stabat Mater," Fabio Luisi conducting, and of Wagner's
Die Feen.
Further appearances in St. Gallen, Aberdeen and elsewhere will
keep her busy through 2003.
Following a recent star-studded concert performance that included
Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Verdi's Don Carlo and Wagner's
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg at the Royal Opera-Covent Garden,
one London critic noted, "Nancy Gustafson launched the quintet
radiantly," and another wrote, "Nancy Gustafson was gorgeous
as Eva."
Indeed, CELEBRATION audiences know Ms. Gustafson is as talented
and generous as she is gorgeous. Each year since 1990, she has persuaded
brilliant stars in the world of classical music to join in raising
funds to support Over The Rainbow's barrier-free housing and other
special programs for adults with physical disabilities.
Brava! Bravo! To Nancy Gustafson and her friends.
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POPULAR ACCOMPANIST DAN BECKWITH RETURNS
 Returning
as piano accompanist to the CELEBRATION stage is Daniel Beckwith,
whose career as conductor has soared in recent seasons.
His engagements as conductor during the 2002-2003 season include
Don Pasquale for the Calgary and Edmonton Opera companies; Don Giovanni
with Kentucky Opera; and the Rape of Lucretia for the New York City
Opera.
In recent seasons, Maestro Beckwith conducted a concert with acclaimed
Korean soprano Youngok Shin at the National Arts Center in Seoul,
Korea; Susannah with Calgary Opera; and Ariadne auf Naxos and Il
Re Pastore with the Lake George Opera Festival, where he is co-artistic
director.
As accompanist, Mr. Beckwith has appeared in concert with the renowned
singers Benita Valente, Sylvia McNair, Carol Vaness, Marilyn Horne,
Frederica Von Stade, Jennifer Larmore, Jerry Hadley, Ben Heppner,
Richard Leech and Samuel Ramey, among many others. He was Assistant
Conductor with the Santa Fe Opera, Lyric Opera, and Metropolitan
Opera.
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DENYCE GRAVES
Denyce Graves' whirlwind 2002-2003 schedule confirms her stature
as today's most sought-after mezzo-soprano. USA Today's prediction
that she would be one of the "singers most likely to be an
operatic superstar of the 21st Century" is clearly a reality.
Already a critically acclaimed star, Ms. Graves gained even wider
public recognition through her world-televised performance
before the President and other dignitaries at the National Cathedral
following the September 11th tragedy.
She regularly sings her signature Carmen and Dalila roles in leading
opera houses such as the Vienna Staatsoper, Metropolitan Opera,
Royal Opera-Covent Garden, San Francisco Opera, Opera National de
Paris, The Washington Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Houston Grand
Opera, Teatro Coln in Buenos Aires and the Festival Maggio Musicale
in Florence, among many others.
Widely recorded, she has received numerous coveted awards. Her
rich vocal tones and regal stage presence, in concert and recital,
regularly win standing ovations.
Following a recent concert in Honolulu, a critic wrote, "Think
of every superlative applicable to operatic singing and then throw
in absolutely assured dramatic instincts and you get a hazy idea
of Graves' talent . . . her vocal technique was a marvel to behold
and even her softest notes were clear and meaningful." The
same critic noted that following the classical program, Ms. Graves
rewarded the audience's enthusiasm with "Can't Help Lovin'
That Man of Mine" and "I Got Plenty of Nuthin" from
Porgy and Bess.
As in past CELEBRATION appearances, Ms. Graves gives us much to
anticipate!
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NATHAN GUNN
 Baritone
Nathan Gunn has won standing ovations and repeat performances in
the world's premier opera houses, including the
Metropolitan Opera, where he made his debut in 1997 as Guglielmo
in a radio broadcast of Cosi fan tutte.
He has appeared in leading roles at the Lyric Opera of Chicago
as well-last season in the title role in the acclaimed Billy Budd
and during the 2002-03 season in Sweeney Todd.
The much-in-demand Mr. Gunn also has appeared with Glyndebourne,
the Opera National de Paris and the opera companies of Houston,
Santa Fe and Seattle, as well as in concert at Carnegie Hall and
with the New York Philharmonic under Kurt Masur.
A master of the German Lieder genre and of American songs, Mr.
Gunn has received numerous prestigious awards, including the ARIA
award, the 1996 Marian Anderson Award, the Pope Foundation Music
Award, and more. He has recorded on both the EMI ("American
Anthem") and Telarc labels.
A New York Times review in March 2001 noted that, "Nathan
Gunn's strong and sometimes steely baritone, good measure of stage
charisma and good looks have served him well in the opera house
in recent seasons."
Another reviewer was equally glowing, "If I were to tell you
that one of the most compelling and moving pieces on the program
was 'Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?' I suspect you would not believe
me, and neither would I if I had not attended a recital given by
Nathan Gunn at Hertz Hall on the campus of the University of California
at Berkeley on Sunday afternoon, March 4, 2001."
Understandably, Mr. Gunn's first appearance in CELEBRATION is eagerly
awaited. Lyric Opera of Chicago Robert Kusel Photo.
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RAINBOW RESIDENTS GET INVOLVED, LIVE LIFE
TO FULLEST
Over The Rainbow, using CELEBRATION proceeds, helps adults with
physical disabilities to take control of their lives. Happily, that
is exactly what happens every day at Hill Arboretum. Despite limited
mobility, residents are making significant achievements:
Matt Torchal and Sarah Boer have announced their engagement. They
are a testament to the joy of finding true love and now hope to
speak before other couples in similar circumstances.
Bill Takahashi researched and wrote a speech about the ability
of adults who use wheelchairs to live independently. A recent graduate
of Wright College with 110 credits in a web programming curriculum,
Bill has compelling advice for hiring and managing personal care
attendants and taking control of all aspects of life.
Lisa Davis, Hill Arboretum's resident poet, is on her way to receiving
an Associate degree from Harold Washington College.
Shaun Reese is giving Lisa Davis a run for her money as resident
poet. He is working on getting a book of his poetry published. Shaun
also is a floor supervisor in Rainbow's Arboretum Business Center.
Leo Kirwan, formerly Hill Arboretum Property Manager, has been
promoted to Rainbow Director of Operations.
Congratulations and may the good times continue to roll!
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HONORARY BENEFIT CHAIR AGAIN TAKES REINS
 Real
estate developer Charles H. Shaw has attended almost all of the
CELEBRATION concerts! As 1994's Chair, he was key to the concert's
huge success. For his leadership and support as Honorary Benefit
Chair again this year, Rainbow is deeply grateful.
"I don't feel we are in the business of just building buildings,
but of creating environments in which people live and work,"
he has said. By supporting Rainbow, Mr. Shaw demonstrates that better
environments must include barrier-free facilities for people with
physical disabilities.
The Chairman of The Shaw Company, Mr. Shaw has developed Lake Point
Tower; Museum Tower, above NYC's Museum of Modern Art; the Chicago
Hilton and Towers; and Prairie Crossing, the nation's first conservation
community. He also has been a leader in
revitalizing Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood.
Mr. Shaw has been Chairman, Trustee and award
recipient of the prestigious Urban Land Institute;
served as Director of the Rehabilitation Institute of
Chicago; is a Trustee of Northwestern University, IIT
and Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center; and
is active in many prominent civic and charitable
organizations.
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