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Get in the Mediterranean mood as the photographic journey of Siamo Mare is honored with a closing reception that brings together performing artists, an art photographer and a marine scientist.

Although it seems like we just gathered to celebrate the arrival of Siamo Mare, We Are Sea and the Amerigo Vespucci, we find ourselves at the exhibit’s close. Please join us again as we honor the exhibition’s close with music and reflection while we host a mini-recital, panel discussion, and a wine reception. Maya Sypert and Soprano Martina Bingham will present a musical prelude featuring Italian songs and arias in a short program inspired by the stunning photography of Siamo Mare. Marine biologist Simone Franceschini and photographer Laura La Monaca from Italy will take us on a journey through the beautiful images of Italy’s seas and coastlines.

The Siamo Mare exhibition accompanies the Italian Navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci in a two-year world tour, visiting over thirty ports and promoting initiatives related to marine studies, education, and scientific dissemination about the seas and oceans. This journey symbolizes Italy’s deep connection with the sea and the Italian government’s commitment to marine cooperation and research. Because we all must embrace the sea. Siamo Mare. We Are Sea.

Musicians and Presenters:

Mezzo-soprano Maya Sypert (formerly Hoover) is a professional classical singer, teacher, and author. Praised for her outstanding artistry, “vocal beauty of high technical caliber,” “vocal flare and flamenco abandon,” and “gifted storytell[ing],” she has performed in opera, concert, and recital throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America, and China. She has been a featured artist with Orquesta Sinfónico de Trujillo (Perú); Songs Across the Americas Festival (Bolivia); Bellingham Festival of Music; Bloomington Early Music Festival; Escuela de Artes Musicales, Universidad de Costa Rica; Auditorio Fabio Lozano (Bogotá, Colombia); Teatro Municipal (Trujillo, Perú), Tuscia Opera Festival (Italy); Opera Fort Collins; Axelrod Performing Arts Center; Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra; Morris Choral Society; and Hawaii Opera Theatre. She has sung multiple times with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, most notably in concerts with renowned soprano Sumi Jo. She has performed regularly with pianist José Meléndez for over 25 years, and they are thrilled to be frequent teaching artists for the Art Song Preservation Society of New York as the representatives for Spanish and Latin American art song. Maya Sypert holds a Doctor of Music degree in Voice Performance and Literature with a minor in Music Education from Indiana University, a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College, and a Bachelor of Music degree with a minor in Italian Language and Literature from Binghamton University. She is the author/editor of Guide to the Latin American Art Song Repertoire (Indiana University Press, 2010), and she is a roster artist with Wade Artist Management. She is Professor of Music and Associate Chair of the Department of Music at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where she serves with a world-class faculty.

Martina Bingham is a coloratura soprano and voice teacher based in Honolulu. Her recent engagements include Carmina Burana with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra,  Gianetta in The Elixir of Love with Hawaiʻi Opera Theater, Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem and Luigi Gatti’s Creation Mass with the Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble. She has also performed with the Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band, the Maui Chamber Orchestra, and as a faculty soloist with the University of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. Martina is a lecturer in voice at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa where she has also been featured as a faculty soloist on two International tours with the Voices of Aloha, and has sung with the Nā Wai Chamber Choir. Her current research explores therapeutic singing through collaboration with music therapists. She holds a DMA in Voice Pedagogy from Shenandoah University, an MM in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College, and a BA in Music with a Musical Theatre emphasis from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. Martina is currently serving as the President of the Hawaiʻi Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Pianist Jonathan Korth enjoys a multifaceted career as a soloist, chamber musician, collaborator, and teacher, where he is faculty at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s Music Department. His sizable presence piques the audience’s attention and delivers with the satisfyingly deep and colorful sound he has become known for. He is a prolific concertizer, with international performances not only in Bangkok, Beijing, Brussels, London, Shanghai, Seoul, and Tokyo, but also throughout our islands and in prized stateside venues like Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall. Jonathan’s deep appreciation and love for chamber music has led to recent partnerships with musicians such as violinists Martin Beaver, Stefan Jackiw, and Robert McDuffie, and cellists Zuill Bailey and Sung-Won Yang. He also finds frequent chamber music partners with many orchestral musicians in the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra. An avid supporter of increasing access to classical music, he is the longtime president of the Honolulu Chamber Music Series and has attracted a diverse international teaching studio from the US and Asia. Grateful to have made his home in Honolulu, he enjoys hiking and great meals, two well-paired activities.

Simone Franceschini is a marine scientist based at the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa), specializing in integrating computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms into conservation studies. With extensive experience in applying advanced technologies to study terrestrial and marine ecosystems, Simone has collaborated with different universities around the world. He has worked on Amazon forest conservation at the Federal University of Pará and sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea and Philippines. His recent research has focused on the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence applications to uncover coral reef ecosystem patterns from space and the development of global statistical analysis to study spillover occurring outside Marine Protected Areas.

Laura La Monaca is a professional freelance photographer focused on food, travel, and hospitality. Originally from Sicily, she is now based in Hawai`i. Leica Ambassador, Member of Diversity Photo & Women Photograph.

Parking:  Valet, $6 fee per car (please also add tips).

Time flow: The recital will begin promptly at 5pm, followed by reception and talk.

RSVP: Required by September 6.

Attire: Dressy aloha.

Members: Login to register for events or renew your membership (if you have any issues, contact the Help Desk)

Notes: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, credits, swaps, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

Questions: Email us at info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.