Sotto Voce

### Context Profile for Sotto Voce

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - **Mission**: Sotto Voce is dedicated to celebrating the power of the human voice and fostering collaboration across artistic disciplines. The organization aims to present music drama in innovative performance contexts, featuring a repertoire that includes both canonical and new dramatic vocal works. Sotto Voce emphasizes the inclusion of regional and national talent in its performances.
   - **Cause**: The organization operates as a collectively run opera company based in Buffalo, NY, focusing on making opera accessible and engaging through creative and diverse programming.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - **Events**: Sotto Voce hosts various performances, including operatic scenes and original short films. Their events often include a gala, such as the "Sotto Voce Fall 2025 Gala," which supports upcoming productions.
   - **Fundraising Campaigns**: The gala serves as a significant fundraising event, with proceeds supporting future productions and artist fees. They also conduct silent auctions and offer underwriting opportunities.
   - **Community Programs**: While specific community programs are not detailed on the website, the emphasis on collaboration suggests potential outreach and educational initiatives.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of Sotto Voce's communications is **friendly**, **inspiring**, and **professional**. The language is engaging and accessible, aiming to connect with a broad audience while maintaining a level of artistic sophistication. The use of strong, affirmative statements in their event descriptions conveys enthusiasm and passion for the arts.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The website and email communications do not prominently feature emojis. The tone remains formal and professional, focusing on clear and impactful language rather than casual or playful elements.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: Specific founding details are not provided on the website.
   - **Scale**: Sotto Voce has conducted a total of 10 forms and 16 email campaigns, indicating a structured approach to engagement and outreach.
   - **Impact Metrics**: The organization highlights its commitment to supporting artists and innovative productions, though specific metrics are not detailed.
   - **Volunteer Info**: There is no explicit mention of volunteer opportunities on the website, but the collaborative nature of the organization suggests potential for community involvement.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Use a friendly yet professional tone that reflects enthusiasm for the arts. 
   - **Language**: Favor clear, engaging language that emphasizes the impact of the organization’s work and the importance of community support.
   - **Structure**: Organize content logically, using headings and bullet points where appropriate to enhance readability. Highlight key events and initiatives prominently.
   - **Call to Action**: Include strong calls to action that encourage support, attendance at events, and engagement with the organization.

This context profile serves as a comprehensive guide for crafting personalized and effective content for Sotto Voce, ensuring alignment with their mission, tone, and activities.

LXCL:Full performance with principal cast, chorus, orchestra, and short films. Reception to follow.

General Admission (Friday)

LXCL:Understudies will sing excerpts from the show with director commentary. THIS IS NOT THE FULL SHOW! It also does not include the chorus, orchestra, short films, or reception.

Abridged Matinee (Saturday)

General Admission (Sunday)

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for purchasing a ticket or tickets to Sotto Voce&#39;s March 2026 production of Pietro Mascagni&#39;s CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA. Your purchase helps make possible innovative, collectively-run opera productions in your community! If you would like to contribute further, you can contact us about becoming a volunteer, talk to your friends about our events, or consider making a donation through our website - https://sottovocevocalcollective.com/donate/!<p fr-original-style="width:100%;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(15, 14, 91);" style="width: 100%; margin: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(15, 14, 91); line-height: 1.5;"> We so look forward to sharing this beautiful show with you!Thanks so much again for your support,Jessie DownsArtistic Director, Sotto Vocesottovocevocalcollective@gmail.com

Sotto Voce presents Pietro Mascagni's one-act "verismo" classic, Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo on Friday March 20th, 2026 at 7:30pm and Sunday March 22nd, 2026, at 7:30pm. The cover (understudy) cast will also share an abridged performance (without chorus, orchestra, or films) on Saturday March 21st, 2026 at 2pm.CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA is a story of love, betrayal, heartache, and violence brought to life by Sotto Voce’s signature expressive singing and innovative staging. The production features both local and national talent and showcases the power of bel canto vocal technique. Two original short films accompanying the Overture and Intermezzo will enrich the audience’s understanding of the characters’ emotions and the story’s dramatic stakes, and a magnificent set will transport them to the small town in Italy where the story takes place. IF YOU WISH TO FURTHER SUPPORT OUR PRODUCTION, CONSIDER AN "ADD ON" DONATION AT CHECK-OUT OR <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/c562c51a-9148-47e1-9dc0-a4eaf3b93433?_gl=1*1wocbbc*_up*MQ..&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwgpCzBhBhEiwAOSQWQV4cFcZKwyppkSWb18CzHDnCbEUMJOa-K5hN7hWfcLodXn9JOJ93gBoC5XMQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">VISIT OUR DONATION PAGE</a> TO BECOME A SPONSOR. PRODUCTION TEAMStage &amp; Film Director: Alex Huddleston (Buffalo, NY)Music Director: Jessie Downs (Buffalo, NY)Conductor: Mason Cancilla (Buffalo, NY)Pianist/ Accompanist: Ivan Docenko (Buffalo, NY) CASTSantuzza: Ariel Emma (Chicago, IL)Turiddu: Jax Hassler (Edison, NJ)Alfio: Brian J. Alvarado (NYC, NY)Lola: Emily Rich (Canaan, NY) Brian J. Alvarado (NYC, NY)Mamma Lucia/ Santuzza Second Cover: Kaswanna Kanyinda (Fort Worth, TX)CHORAL LEADERS/ COVERSSantuzza Cover/ Soprano: Beth White (Buffalo, NY)Turiddu Cover/ Tenor: Carl Hengen (Baltimore, MD)Alfio Cover/ Baritone: Ky Ver Hoef (Buffalo, NY)Mamma Lucia Cover/ Contralto: Laurie Pastena (Williamsville, NY)CHORUSSopranos: Jamie Gangemi (Buffalo, NY)Baritone: Michael Warner (Buffalo, NY)Bass: Anthony Bellisimo (Buffalo, NY) ORCHESTRAFlute: Elizabeth GoldsteinOboe: Megan KyleClarinet: Sue Stewart Bassoon: Fred Albrecht Horn: Michael Goss Percussion: Stephen Lattimore Violin 1: Amie Vredenburg Violin 2: Jenna Noreck Viola: David Bojanowski Violoncello: Sam GodusContrabass: Marc Cousins

Sotto Voce

Sotto Voce presents Mascagni's CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA

695 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo NY

General Admission (Friday)

$40

Abridged Matinee (Saturday)

$30

General Admission (Sunday)

$40

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