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Northern Ohio Opera League

Opera

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Enrico Caruso

Born Feb. 25, 1873 in Naples, Italy
Died Aug. 2, 1921 of lung ailment in Naples, Italy

Enrico Caruso was a tenor with a golden voice, idolized by millions in America and abroad who had an artistic career as well know as that of any famous statesman or military leader.

Caruso made his debut in “L’Amico Francesco” at the Nuovo Theater, Naples, in 1894. He then toured Italy and Sicily and was engaged for several seasons at La Scala, Milan.

In May 1902, Caruso made his debut in “Rigoletto” at Covent Garden, where he subsequently appeared from 1904 to 1907.

When Caruso came to the Metropolitan Opera on Nov. 23, 1903, in “Rigoletto,” the critics did not go into ecstasies over him.

The list of Italian and French operas in which the noted tenor’s name figures since he first sang in New York reveals an amazing versatility. In 18 years he sang more than 800 times. He was unsparing, if not reckless, of his vocal powers. No grand opera tenor in America ever reigned so long in popular favor.

At the height of his Met career, Caruso was receiving as average of $2,000 for each performance. On special occasions, such as his 1920 season in Havana, he was paid $10,000 a night.

His last public appearance was in Halevy’s “La Juive” at the Metropolitan on Dec. 21, 1920.

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    Donors/Sponsors/People of Recognition

    Mary Hamlin was NOOL’s President for 7 years before her passing in 2017. She also led the local chapter of Daughters of the British Empire, was a Board Member of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation and the personal British Garden caretaker for decades. She was a proper, gentle lady who helped NOOL in its early years with steadfast devotion to Opera. Such dedicated board members should always be remembered. She is pictured below with her husband Clive during NOOL’s Dancing With the Dinosaurs Benefit at the Cleveland History Museum.

    Clive Hamlin & wife NOOL President Mary Hamlin.

    John Ingold and Phyllis Donnelly Ingold. This couple have been worker bees in numerous organizations for decades including the Cleveland Opera League and Charter members of NOOL. In many instances they maintained address lists, created fliers and invitations as well as reserving venues, ordering meals and almost everything else needed to create benefits. John was more of the administrator, set up and tear down worker for Phyllis while Phyllis was the creative half of the partnership. No one ever donated so many silent auction items as John and Phyllis. Fussy how everything gets done their personal friendships helped fill many a venue.

    John Ingold and NOOL Membership Chairlady Phyllis Donnely-Ingold.

    Greg and Marcia Snavely Polyak. This couple were on the Cleveland Opera Board and Charter members of NOOL. Marcia is locally famous for her piano playing just about every benefit gig and party. Most often she donates her professional playing abilities helping each organization make a profit. She is known to have music put in front of her moments before playing it for the professional. This sight reading ability allows her to play just about any style of music making her a very busy pianist for so many groups they can’t all be listed. But being a professional musician continually since age six was only half of her story as she was also a Chemist for 40 years.

    Greg is a worker bee having been the following: V.P., Secretary, NOOL Webmaster/creator as well as NOOL’s Facebook web page master, 2nd V.P., event Chair, Master of Ceremonies, usually hired the entertainment, helped with event set up and tear down and more. Together they always Donated Silent Auction items as well as buying many of other silent auction items at every single benefit. Greg is also on numerous other nonprofit boards doing similar work on each board be it an Orchestra, Arts, Ethnic, International Grant group or Wine Tasting Society. With 10 kids, 20 Grandkids with 2 more arriving in 2019 they are the Energizer Bunnies of Cleveland’s nonprofits.

    Greg Polyak and Marcia Polyak

    Important Donors/Sponsors: There are a number of ways to donate to NOOL. There is Cash, Silent Auction Items, Membership dues at different levels, Hosting a benefit in one’s home, and providing Prize money or by Paying stipends to entertainers. The list will never be perfect. It contains names of people who have donated over many years to those who have donated for shorter periods of time but in larger ways. So please excuse any failures, exclusions or other wrongs but feel free to contact me for additions or corrections. Additions to the list will continue making it a living expanding praise of thanks. To be continued.