As we wind our way to Lake Placid this evening, I am treated to a spectacularly clear view of Whiteface Mountain, castle and all. I send good thoughts to my friends who have saved their Whiteface Mountain climb for tomorrow. It will be their last High Peak climb to put them in the 46er Club (those who have climbed all 46 Adirondack peaks over 4,000 feet).

But it is an altogether different High Peaks that I will be enjoying this evening. The High Peaks Opera Company is presenting an Opera Gala: Passion in the Pines! at The Lake Placid Center for the Arts.

We are fortunate to have George Cordes and Elizabeth Cordes, both incredibly talented musicians, as residents of the North Country. They live in Tupper Lake and head up High Peaks Opera. George is a bass-baritone and was principal artist for six seasons with New York City Opera. He also sang on the Metropolitan Opera roster for four seasons and has performed more than 70 opera roles with companies all over the country. Last summer, he wowed the North Country with his portrayed of the title role in Pendragon Theatre's production of "Sweeney Todd."

Elizabeth Cordes is an exceptional pianist and superb accompanist. She spent seven years with Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, NY, six seasons with Ohio Light Opera, and is currently choral director at Tupper Lake Middle/High School.

Tonight's program is a seamless potpourri of pieces from many familiar operas. It begins with all four singers, each with equally impressive performance credentials, sharing a portion of Verdi's "La Traviata" and moves smoothly on to Mozart's "Don Giovanni." The singers do more than deliver operatic arias, they are dressed in appropriate costumes and their acting and movement sweep us along on an incredible journey. But it is their voices that truly amaze, astound, and excite us.

I am sitting close enough to watch Elizabeth Cordes watch the soloists and oh so carefully and artistically follow their leads in what sound to me like very difficult but beautifully executed passages.

At times the ladies portray playful coquettes and tease yet their emotions can turn very quickly within the context of the opera and become poignant and touching. Did I mention the voices are amazing?

The segues are artistically done as well--lovely, smooth and quite interesting. We meet the amorous Cherubino from Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," two friends vowing never to be divided by love again in Bizet's "The Pearlfishers," Verdi's Duke who sings"La donna e mobile" from "Rigoletto," and Beth MacLeod's lovely "Carmen." And that's only Act I.

Act II is just as delightful with the highlight an uproarious rendition from "Pirates of Penzance." George Cordes and tenor Neal Harrelson join soprano Natalie Polito and Beth MacLeod onstage as the Police who are sent off to do battle with the Pirates.

It is a stellar evening of entertainment, art, and artistry.

Make sure to click through to the High Peaks Opera web site and check on where and when you might be able to see George Cordes and Elizabeth Cordes perform next.

For a listing of more arts events in the North Country go to the Lake Placid events page.

Kathleen Recchia has been enjoying the arts in the Adirondacks for about 20 years—both as observer and participant (acting, directing, and producing). She also enjoys cross-country skiing, juggling, and hosting visitors to the area at her bed & breakfast in Jay.