Tenor Alec Carlson and Conductor Italo Marchini (not pictured – Soprano Laura Soto-Bayomi). Photo courtesy of the District Office of Council Member Joann Ariola

“Access to the arts should never be out of reach,” said Ariola in a statement. “Supporting the Queens Symphony Orchestra and organizing events like ‘A Night at the Opera’ allows us to bring high-quality performances directly into our neighborhoods, and gives residents the opportunity to experience live music close to home.”

The guest musicians, Italo Marchini (Conductor), Alec Carlson (Tenor) and Laura Soto-Bayomi (Soprano) graced the upscale catering venue, located at 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd., to the delight of the evening’s attendees.

Led by Music Director Martin Majkut, the Queens Symphony Orchestra is considered the oldest and largest professional arts organization in the World’s Borough. Founded in 1953, the orchestra presents “at least 25 concerts throughout the year, serving 30,000 residents, including 8,000 youth,” according to the About Us section of their website. Deborah Surdi, the Executive Director, expressed her gratitude to Ariola for making classical music more accessible for South Queens residents.

Council Member Joann Ariola and a concert attendee at Russo’s On the Bay in Howard Beach. Photo courtesy of the District Office of Council Member Joann Ariola

“We are deeply grateful to Councilwoman Joann Ariola for her steadfast support of the Queens Symphony Orchestra,” Surdi said in a statement. “Her commitment to our annual ‘Night at the Opera’ at Russo’s on the Bay, a treasured tradition in Howard Beach, brought our full orchestra and beautiful voices into the community. Additionally, this year she has enabled us to bring much-needed music lessons into schools allowing children to experience the transformative power of music.”

Among the evening’s attendees was Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Her father, conductor David Katz, founded the Queens Symphony Orchestra to introduce classical music to Queens residents without requiring a commute to Manhattan for world-class live experiences. According to the About Us section, he was described to have diligently rehearsed “in the basement of his Forest Hills home” and performed “a series of chamber concerts for the community free of charge.”

“I was honored to attend Council Member Joann Ariola’s annual ‘A Night at the Opera,’ performed by the Queens Symphony Orchestra,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement. “The QSO has become a cornerstone of our borough’s cultural identity. My father, the founder of QSO, believed that music, art, and culture played a vital role in the positive growth and development of people, families, and communities. I share deeply in that belief, which continues to guide my community-centered approach to prosecution.”

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Council Member Joann Ariola at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach. Photo courtesy of the District Office of Council Member Joann Ariola
Photo courtesy of the District Office of Council Member Joann Ariola

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