Tonia Evans Cianciulli Premieres ‘Nightingale of the North’ a Love Song to Newfoundland’s First Opera Star
By Afton MarkayTonia Evans Cianciulli is set to premiere her new work, “Nightingale of the North.”
The work is a tribute to Georgina Stirling, Newfoundland’s first international opera singer. Poet Vaughn Harbin collaborated with Tonia on the lyrics. The song features alto flute by Rozalind MacPhail and guitar by Jesse Fegelman. The track was produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Dima Graziani. The single was released on July 17.
“Nightingale of the North” was written during the pandemic. Cianciulli shared in a press release, “I dreamed of her taking my hand,” referencing a vivid, spiritual encounter that guided her through writing “The Heart’s Obsession,” a co-authored biography of Stirling with her grandfather, Newfoundland historian Calvin D. Evans.
A series of live events and performances marking the 90th anniversary of Stirling’s passing will take place across St. John’s and Twillingate from Aug. 1–10. These events will feature the public unveiling of watercolor portraits of Georgina Stirling by artist Sylvia Ficken.
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