‘HANDEL at the Gershwin’ was an all-around success this past Friday, and operamission cruises into the holiday season as a happy, healthy infant.

Composer Edward Ficklin captured the spirit of the evening here. If you missed it, and would like to peruse the printed program (yes, we hit on twelve Handel operas) go ahead and click on this pdf.

Due to all the generous sounds made by the performers, the full house of receptive fans, and general all-around enthusiasm, the Gershwin Hotel has invited us back; plans are afoot for the next showing.

I want to personally thank the incredibly talented and cooperative musicians who put in so much time and care, and who believed in the mission in order to make it happen:

Sharin Apostolou, Eva Gerard, Tim Hill, Jennifer Hines, Joan Plana, Ezra Seltzer, Gerald Thompson, and Beth Wenstrom.

THANK YOU ALL for ‘playing’ — and for doing something that’s never quite been done before.

Thank you John Miller from Pinnacle Arts Management, Inc. for stepping in as our master of ceremonies.

Thank you, artist Neke Carson, for hosting us at the Gershwin, and also for the jazz harpsichord jam send-off.

And of course, those dedicated ‘operamissionaries’ who volunteered their time and energy in helping with the logistics on Friday: Brian Anderson, Clint Borzoni, Scott Embler, Melissa Fogarty, Luis González, and Sarah Pillow — thank  you for helping!

William Hogarth (1697-1764)'s portrait of Handel

And thank you, Mr. Handel. You knew we could do it!