2008 Long Leaf Opera Festival is sponsored in part by Koroberi Integrated Marketing, Chapel Hil  www.koroberi.com

"This year, Long Leaf Opera celebrates its tenth-anniversary season, making it a notably enduring presence among companies that have taken on the challenge of presenting American opera."

Roy Dicks, writing for CVNC calls GLASS HAMMER a highlight of our festival.

The News and Observer enjoyed ORPHEUS AND EURIDICE

WATER BIRD TALK needs to stay in Long Leaf's rep according to CVNC.

A "super" review of MEDUSA and THE MEDIUM from CVNC.

Don't miss this wonderful review of REGINA from the Classical Voice of North Carolina.

The News and Observer has this to say about REGINA.

CVNC enjoyed THREE, TWO, ONE-BANG!

CVNC's Martha Fawbush weighs in on the Cabaret.

Emily Ezzie, soprano, was named the winner of the 2008 Long Leaf Opera Competition.  Ms. Ezzie has performed with the opera companies of Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Boston and Lucca, Italy. She was  a Young Artist with Sarasota Opera amd has also sung with the Boston Pops and the Tanglewood Festival Orchestra. This spring, she can be seen as Mimi in Bel Cantanti's production of La Boheme in Washington.

The second prize went to Krista Leigh Wilhelmsen, a graduate student at the University of South Carolina. Ms. Wilhelmsen has sung with New England Light Opera, Palmetto Opera, and Augusta Opera.

Jacqueline Noparstak of New York was awarded third prize. She has sung all over the country and recently won the Grand Prize of the AIMS Competition in Graz, Austria as well as the 2007 Liederkranz Foundation Competition.

Charming the audience with her bel canto selections and beautiful stage appearance was Julie Celona-Vangorden of Greensboro, winner of the Audience Favorite Award.

Ms. Ezzie will be offered a contract with Long Leaf Opera to sing a major role in an upcoming production.

Congratulations to all ten finalists!

For more information, click here.

Read more at American Music Center's NewMusic Box