Inland Northwest Opera to host gala

The Inland Northwest Opera welcomes Max Mendez as the new general director in a Singing in the Saddle ranch-style evening gala starting at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 3.

Special guest artists Alexandra LoBianco and Joshua Benevento will attend to perform and mingle in a reception with champagne toasts, games and a locally sourced meal at Settlers Creek, 5803 W. Riverview Drive, Coeur d'Alene.

LoBianco and Benevento will perform arias mixed by artistic director Dan Wallace Miller preceding a live auction.

Alexandra LoBianco

American soprano Alexandra LoBianco, who “gave an impassioned performance” as the title role in "Aida" at Seattle Opera, said the Seattle Times, has established herself as a dramatic soprano of versatility, musicality and consistency. An international presence, LoBianco recently stepped in as Leonore in "Fidelio" for her debut with the Wiener Staatsoper.

In the 2021-22 season, LoBianco debuted the role of Brünnhilde in a concertante performance with Seattle Opera, joined by colleagues Angela Meade, Eric Owens and Brandon Jovanovich.

Joshua Benevento

Named “a substantial tenor” by Opera News, Benevento just completed his 12th season at the Metropolitan Opera with over 330 performances and a Grammy Award for his involvement in the recording of Wagner’s "Ring Cycle."

Achievements on the recital stage brought him to Carnegie Hall after winning first place in the Liederkranz Competition. Benevento has sung leading roles on several opera recordings, including Judge Danforth in Ward’s "The Crucible," which won the Opera News Critics Choice Award.

Tickets are $135 per person or $1,080 for a table and the deadline to RSVP is July 27.