OPERADELAWARE 824 North Market St. Suite 200, Wilmington, DE 19801-3024 Phone: (302) 658-8063 Fax: (302) 658-4991 Box Office: (302) 652-5577 or 1-800-37-GRAND Email: opinfo@dcanet.com – Website: www.operadel.org Contact: Sean Kriner, Marketing Manager (302) 658-8063 For Immediate Release – 09/06/00 OPERADELAWARE To Perform at A.I. duPONT Hospital for Children - The 60th Anniversary Amazing Birthday Party Wilmington, DE – Get ready to trumpet with the swans as OPERADELAWARE performs selections from their recent hit Louis’ Trumpet at the A.I. duPONT Hospital for Children - The 60th Anniversary Amazing Birthday Party Celebration, 1600 Rockland Rd., Wilmington, DE, on Saturday, September 16, 2000 at 11:30 a.m. Admission, off-site parking, and continuous shuttle service are free. Based on E.B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan, Louis’ Trumpet tells the story of a swan named Louis who cannot make a sound. After Louis is given a trumpet, he learns to play so that he can make sound like the other trumpeter swans. His tale is filled with adventures as he saves a young boy from drowning, gets a job as a jazz trumpeter, and wins the affection of his love, Serena. It’s a tale that will warm the hearts of children and adults, alike. "Louis’ Trumpet is the story of a young swan triumphing over a disability. His message of hope is perfect for this occasion," said Leland P. Kimball III, General Director of OPERADELAWARE Evelyn Swensson, (Music and Lyrics), has conducted over 80 productions, 4 World Premiers, 4 musicals for OPERADELAWARE, and numerous compositions for The Delaware Children’s Theatre. Ms. Swensson has toured her one-woman show based on the life of Sophie du Pont in a program sponsored by the Delaware Humanities Forum. She has won the W.W. Laird Award in 1988, the Reading Council’s Literacy Award in 1989, and was named Distinguished Alumna of West Chester University in 1993. Jonnie Holzman, (Serena/Curiosity), happily returns to the Family Opera Theater. She has played in the world premiere of Charlotte’s Webb, The Enormous Egg, and The Ballad of Baby Doe, to name a few. She has appeared in over thirty leading roles with area theater groups and always finds great pleasure in performing with OPERADELAWARE. Carol Denenberg, (Miss Plum/Apathy), received her vocal and opera training in Philadelphia, where she is seen regularly in opera and operetta. With OPERADELAWARE she most recently sang in The Phantom Tollbooth and Charlotte’s Web. Leland P. Kimball III, (Policeman), has directed over sixty productions, and his work has been described by Opera News as "brilliant," and "intelligent and clear" by The New Yorker. Mr. Kimball, a tenor, has performed leading roles in Don Giovanni, Joshua, and Alceste. Mr. Kimball also serves as General Director for OPERADELAWARE. Ray Murphy, (Louis), has previously performed with OPERADELAWARE in The Wind in the Willows, Charlotte’s Web, and The Ballad of Baby Doe, to name a few. He can regularly be seen with local performing arts organizations such as The Wilmington Drama League and the Artists Theater Association. The cast is completed with Jessica Novotny as the Leader of the Fan Club, Alan Wagner as the Boatman, and Daniel Webster playing himself as the Philadelphia Inquirer Music Critic. Gerald Chavis will accompany on trumpet, Doug Hotmer will play the drums, and Evelyn Swensson will play the piano. Sponsored by a generous grant from Happy Harry’s Discount Drug Store. This OPERADELAWARE program is funded in part by the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency committed to promoting and supporting the Arts in Delaware.