Soprano sings for her child at Library

Soprano Amanda Squitieri and pianist Mark Robson

Another wonderful evening of music at the Arcadia Public Library Sept. 17 with this month’s free Kaleidoscope classic music concerts presented by the Arcadia Library Foundation featuring an eclectic mix of Aaron Copeland and French folk songs.

The highlight of the program presented as always by violinst Paul Stein, a 30-year member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was soprano Amanda Squitieri. Not only is she a beautiful and emotive singer who created the role of Beatrice Russo in Daneil Catan’s “Il Postino” in the world premiere performances at the Los Angeles Opera, but she was also eight months pregnant on this evening. Between her delightfully expressive renditions of Songs of the Auvergne and Le Bonheur est Chose Legere, she said she felt her child kicking when she stood and sang.

Violinist Paul Stein with soprano Amanda Squitieri and pianist Mark Robson

Accompanying both Squitieri and Stein was amazing pianist Mark Robson.

The next Kaleidoscope concert is Nov. 19, featuring virtuoso accordinionist and composer Nick Ariondo with guest artist Larry Hughes, clarinet and saxophone.

— By Scott Hettrick