Alegrias: Flamenco & Opera Benefit
Sunday, Feb. 22nd, 2026, 2pm
Alegrías! named for the Spanish word for happiness and one of flamenco’s most joyful dances, is exactly that: a celebration of joy, artistry, and coming together through music. This special afternoon is a benefit in support of the Parnassus Society’s mission to expand music education, explore the connection between music and the mind, and increase the joy of artful living in our lives!
You’ll experience the color and excitement of flamenco dance, song, and guitar, performed by Orange County’s favorite diva, Milena Kitic, alongside Flamenco extraordinaire Claudia de la Cruz, Guitarist Andres Vadin, and Pianist, Cheryl Lin Fielding. Joining the fun alongside are talented young performers from UCLA and OCSA’s Classical Voice Conservatory. There will be light refreshments, time to mingle, and even a fun beginner-friendly flamenco lesson (optional but highly encouraged), so you can feel the rhythm, try the footwork, and experience the spirit of flamenco and opera that is at the core of Parnassus Society’s mission.
We hope you’ll join us for an afternoon of music, connection, and shared happiness, all in support of a mission that truly matters.
Featuring Internationally-acclaimed Artists
Milena Kitic, Mezzo-Soprano
Claudia de la Cruz, Flamenco Artist
Andres Vadin, Guitarist
Cheryl Lin Fielding, Pianist and Artistic Director
Young Artists
Soloists
Leland Smith*, Naksha Srinivasan*
Hope Bradley, Tiffany Carr, Henry Courtney, Leah Navarro, Lavinia Watkins
Chorus
Carleigh Beckner, Athena Alexis Reyes, Audrey Stephenson, Sydney Sublette, Mikah Toyama, Leila Woodward
*Young artists from UCLA; All other young artists from Orange County School for the Arts: Classical Voice Conservatory
Immerse in a soundscape of the human experience as Dvořák, Chopin, and Tchaikovsky -masters of profound emotional expression, take center stage. The Four Seasons Orchestra, under the direction of Scott Dunn, joins pianist Harmony Zhu in the rapturous Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1, and cellist Nathan Le in Tchaikovsky’s elegant Rococo Variations. Together, these works reveal the passion, drama, and lyricism of towering Romantic voices, in music that speaks to the soul.
*With sincere regrets, we announce that Shunta Morimoto is unable to perform due to unforeseen circumstances. We wish him a smooth and quick recovery.
Renowned concert pianist Angela Hewitt brings her exceptional artistry to the stage for a program which opens with the virtuosic Bach Partita No. 5 in G major and Schumann’s expressive Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22, continuing after intermission with selections from Couperin’s Sixième Ordre, and concluding with Ravel’s sparkling Le Tombeau de Couperin.
Hewitt is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading pianists and foremost interpreters of Bach. Her numerous accolades includes the prestigious City of Leipzig Bach Medal—the first woman to receive the honor—and the Governor General’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Known for her technical brilliance, expressive depth, and clarity, Hewitt brings a rare combination of intellect, lyricism, and passion to every performance.
Renowned pianist Marc-André Hamelin, acclaimed for his extraordinary technique and fearless exploration of both standard and rare repertoire, returns to the stage for a recital at Soka Performing Arts Center. The program features Haydn’s Sonata in D major, Beethoven’s Sonata in C major, Op. 2 No. 3, Medtner’s Improvisation in B-flat minor, Op. 31, No. 1 and Danza festiva, Op. 38, No. 3, and Rachmaninoff’s Étude-Tableau in E-flat minor, Op. 39, No. 5 and Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 36 (1931 version). Hamelin, an Officer of the Order of Canada, a Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Québec, and recipient of more than 20 German Record Critics’ awards, has performed worldwide with leading orchestras and festivals, recorded over 90 albums for Hyperion Records, won eight Juno Awards, earned 11 Grammy nominations, and is also a noted composer whose works continue to expand the piano repertoire. This recital promises a combination of dazzling virtuosity, profound musical insight, and rare repertoire rarely heard in concert.
Experience the drama, passion, and intrigue of Puccini’s Tosca as the Parnassus Society brings this operatic masterpiece to life on March 14, 2026 at Soka Performing Arts Center. Rising star Katia Kim ignites the stage as the tempestuous diva Tosca, joined by Bruce Sledge as the heroic Cavaradossi and Nmon Ford as the merciless Scarpia. Featuring a remarkable supporting cast—including Mattia Venni (Angelotti), Ryan Reithmeier (Sacristan), Robert Norman (Spoletta), and Kyle Xu (Sciarrone)—the performance is accompanied by the lush sounds of the Parnassus Virtuosi Orchestra and the OCSA Classical Voice Conservatory Puccini Chorus, all led by the inspired direction of Maestro Kelly Kuo. A story of love, power, and sacrifice, this unforgettable evening of opera promises to leave you enthralled.