PreTenors aid Simpson fundraising

There is no one that spoofs opera with the same brand of irreverent hilarity as The PreTenors.

Once again Luciano Paparazzi (Martin Murphy), Placebo Domingo (Michael Landry) and Jose Whocarras (Trent Worthington) emerge from their winter cocoon for a hotly debated evening of laughter and mockery at the Gateway Alliance Church on Friday.

The operatic tenors are the feature act at a fundraising gala to assist the Sir George Simpson music department to purchase new instruments.

The music program at the school was initiated about 30 years ago. Many of the instruments are at least 25 years old, says music teacher Dianne Worthington.

In an inventory, Worthington discovered that instruments in the lower brass section are in the greatest need of replacement. They include trombones, a tuba and euphonium. The music department needs at a minimum $6,500 to purchase new instruments.

“Every year I spend a fair bit of money on repairing and cleaning them. Just last year I spent $300 on the tuba. If an instrument is not in great condition, it is harder for students to play. These are young students and it is easier for them to play on instruments in good condition.”

Worthington had remembered a previous engagement the PreTenors had performed with St. Albert Community Band and asked the operatic trio if they would sing at a fundraiser accompanied by the Sir George Simpson Band.

“Because The PreTenors do things that are orchestral in nature, I thought it would be fun to accompany them. And it would be a different musical experience for the band students.”

Worthington, whose husband Trent dons the tux of Jose Whocarras, modified some band arrangements.

The 43-member woodwind and brass band will accompany The PreTenors in the silly Italian ditty Funiculi, Funicula, as well as The PreTenors Go Disney and the passionate Torna a Surriento.

“It’s a heartfelt ballad, very expressive. It speaks of the beauty and passion of Sorrento and the person’s longing to be there.”

As for The PreTenors, well, they are world-class voices that know how to take the stuffiness out of opera with a rollercoaster ride of well-sharpened, farcical barbs.

“They are excellent musicians with a ready available mix of opera and comedy. They have a lot of fun doing the show and you can’t help but giggle and laugh. They love to poke fun at the diva tenor.”

Worthington adds that this fundraising gala is more than just trying to raise cash.

“We’re trying to give our students the best musical experience they can gain. We do 16 to 18 performances a year and this time we’re doing it in a different way.”