This year’s Centre Stage competition, which was held this past Tuesday at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts was another great success, with tenor Charles Sy winning both first place and the audiences’ choice award, making his prize worth a grand total of $6,500 ($5,000 for first place and another $1,500 for the audience choice).  His performances of “Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön” from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Una furtiva lagrima from L’elisir d’amore) by Gaetano Donizetti were near flawless.  The runner up and second runner up of the competition were Dimitri Katotakis (baritone) with a prize worth $3,000 and tenor, Aaron Sheppard ($1,500) respectively.  All of the competitors were vying for positions in the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio.

Charles Sy performs

Second runner up, Aaron Sheppard

The Truffled Triple Creme from the Cheese Boutique, served during cocktails prior to the performance

Prior to the competition, guests were treated to a cocktail event featuring delicious cheeses from the Cheese Boutique as well as cured meats.  The Truffle Triple Creme was definitely a favourite.  While the jury was deliberating, there was a surprise performance by Canadian soprano, Adrianne Pieczonka.  Post-event, some attendees had the privilege of dining onstage courtesy of chef David Lee of Nota Bene.  In addition to delicious food, there were also performances by the Ensemble Studio.

Competition and dinner photos by Jenna Marie Wakani; cocktail photos by author