25791: Hermantin(news)Concert to benefit Haitian city (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Miami Herald

Posted on Fri, Jul. 22, 2005


CLASSICAL MUSIC
Concert to benefit Haitian city

BY PETE FREEDMAN
pfreedman@herald.com

In need of some assistance, Cap-Haitien, Haiti, has turned to family. After 
all, that's what sisters -- or, in this case, sister cities -- are for.

As one of the most active American cities involved in the Sister Cities 
International program -- it's paired with 14 cities around the world, including 
Cap-Haitien -- Fort Lauderdale is trying to help.

On Tuesday, the Broward-based Symphony of the Americas will host a benefit 
concert at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts as part of Sister Cities' 
efforts to raise awareness and funds for the Haitian city. Funds raised at the 
event will be donated toward a number of rehabilitation projects in 
Cap-Haitien, ranging from reforestation to the installation of computer 
learning systems at area schools.

Tuesday's concert falls within the Symphony of the America's annual Summerfest 
tour throughout South Florida, Central America and South America in an effort 
to expand interest in classical music and provide grounds for a cultural 
exchange. Summerfest begins tonight in Lake Worth and will continue until Sept. 
1.

The symphony itself is ever-changing. Each year, maestro James Brooks-Bruzzese 
invites groups of foreign musicians to join the symphony's few mainstay members 
on their tour of the Americas. This year's crop hails from the Arpeggione 
Chamber Orchestra in Austria.

''I don't know whether they've ever done a tour like this,'' said the 
symphony's executive director, Renee LaBonte. ``This tour is going to be a 
little more hustle-bustle than they're used to.''

As part of the tour, the Symphony of the Americas will travel to Haiti and 
later make stops in Brazil and Panama, as well. During its seven-day stay in 
Haiti over Aug. 11-17, the symphony will perform eight concerts -- five of 
which will be free and open to the public -- in and around Cap-Haitien.

Tony Marcelli, co-chairman of the Fort Lauderdale-Cap-Haitien Sister Cities 
organization, predicts 15,000 to 20,000 Haitians will see at least one of the 
shows, which he believes will be the first classical music performances in 
Cap-Haitien since the 1950s.

''It's really for the masses,'' Marcelli said. ``It's fantastic. In years past, 
classical music was a great part of Haiti's culture.''

And it's all happening by chance, really. At a Fort Lauderdale Rotary Club 
dinner held to celebrate the inductions of the club's newest members -- a class 
that included Brooks-Bruzzese -- the conductor found himself seated at the same 
table as Marcelli and his Sister Cities co-chair, Eddy Remy. As the evening 
progressed, conversation turned to music, and then to Haiti.

When Remy suggested Brooks-Bruzzese bring his symphony to Cap-Haitien, the 
maestro accepted -- and furthered the idea by suggesting the benefit concert. 
The entire discussion took less than 30 minutes.

Now, it has given way to a larger conversation. Remy, Marcelli and 
Brooks-Bruzzese are currently in talks to make the Haiti trip an annual one.

''It fits perfectly,'' Remy said. ``It's a great opportunity for us to 
experience each other's culture.''