In 1930, the Italian Cultural Garden opened as a "symbol of Italian culture." Almost 70 years ago the Italian Garden hosted the San Carlo Opera in the lower level amphitheater. In 2008, the Italian Cultural Garden Foundation revived this tradition by presenting Opera in the Garden. 1,541 people - another record crowd - attended the July 21, 2013 performance by the artists from the Opera Per Tutti Opera Company. Congratulations to Joyce Mariani, Executive Director of the Italian Cultural Garden Foundation, and her team for this tremendous event. Joyce must have a special connection with the local weather forecasters too. All week the weather was terrible but it cleared up for the Opera. While the photos and videos below capture some of the event you really need to experience it live. Check out Opera per Tutti's performance schedule and make plans to attend the Opera in the Garden in 2014 The evening began with Tony Marotta of Radio Italia welcoming the crowd and thanking those who made the evening possible.
 Tony Marotta of Radio Italia
Tony introduced Ward 8 Cleveland City Councilman Jeff Johnson who brought up his colleague Councilman Matt Zone.
 Councilman Jeffrey Johnson
Councilmen Jeffrey Johnson and Matt Zone
Councilmen Jeffrey Johnson and Matt Zone
The performers from Opera per Tutti consisted of Sopranos Andrea Anelli and Rebecca Freshwater, Tenors Dan Doty and Leodigario Del Rosario, Baritone Benjamin Czarnota and pianist Jeanette Davis.
Dan Doty, Jeanette Davis, Andrea Anelli, Rebecca Freshwater
and Leodigario Del Rosario (not in picture Benjamin Czarnota)
Jan Jones served as Narrator for the evening. 
Jan Jones
The first performance was the Flower Duet from Lakme by Leo Delibes. It was sung by sopranos Andrea Anelli and Rebecca Freshwater. 
Rebecca Freshwater and Andrea Anelli
Rebecca Freshwater and Andrea Anelli
Next, tenor Leodigario del Rosario and soprano Andrea Anelli sang Seguidilla from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet.
Leodigario del Rosario and Andrea Anelli
Leodigario del Rosario and Andrea Anelli
Tenor Leodigario del Rosario then sang the Flower Aria also from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet.
 Tenor Leodigario del Rosario
Pianist Jeanette Davis
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Faces in the Crowd - Page 5 of Opera in the Italian Cultural Garden
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