Spring Break
Sesquicentennial concert remembers history of arts in city
Kyle Hansen
Issue date: 4/9/07 Section: News
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The stars were out and the lights were on as students, alumni, faculty and community members gathered at the California Theater last Wednesday night for a musical celebration of San Jose State University's 150th anniversary.
The sesquicentennial concert included a who's who of distinguished people from the San Jose area in the audience and Symphony Silicon Valley on stage along with performers from Opera San Jose and SJSU.
"This performance is going to give you the chance to see the talent in our students, faculty, staff and alumni," university President Don Kassing told the VIP reception at the Sainte Claire hotel ballroom before the concert. "And they are going to make you proud."
The mistress of ceremonies for the concert was Irene Dalis, the founder of Opera San Jose, who is also an SJSU alumna and former faculty member.
"It is particularly a great joy for me because I actually participated in the centennial concert," Dalis said. "I am very proud and happy with what has happened at the university. I am proud to be a San Jose State alumna."
Dalis told the audience how the 1957 concert was in the middle of two very important events in her own life - her first appearance at the New York Metropolitan Opera, where she would go on to perform for 20 years, and her marriage in the summer of that year.
After her retirement from the Metropolitan Opera in 1977, Dalis returned to SJSU to build the Opera program here. By 1984, the program was strong enough to be the basis for the founding of Opera San Jose.
"Without San Jose State University, there would not be an Opera San Jose," Dalis said.
SJSU Provost Carmen Sigler said that the concert was an indication of the impact SJSU has had on the local arts community.
"It is an opportunity to see how the university has contributed to the arts and culture," Sigler said. "Universities are centers of culture and San Jose State has been a major contributor to the arts in this area."
The sesquicentennial concert included a who's who of distinguished people from the San Jose area in the audience and Symphony Silicon Valley on stage along with performers from Opera San Jose and SJSU.
"This performance is going to give you the chance to see the talent in our students, faculty, staff and alumni," university President Don Kassing told the VIP reception at the Sainte Claire hotel ballroom before the concert. "And they are going to make you proud."
The mistress of ceremonies for the concert was Irene Dalis, the founder of Opera San Jose, who is also an SJSU alumna and former faculty member.
"It is particularly a great joy for me because I actually participated in the centennial concert," Dalis said. "I am very proud and happy with what has happened at the university. I am proud to be a San Jose State alumna."
Dalis told the audience how the 1957 concert was in the middle of two very important events in her own life - her first appearance at the New York Metropolitan Opera, where she would go on to perform for 20 years, and her marriage in the summer of that year.
After her retirement from the Metropolitan Opera in 1977, Dalis returned to SJSU to build the Opera program here. By 1984, the program was strong enough to be the basis for the founding of Opera San Jose.
"Without San Jose State University, there would not be an Opera San Jose," Dalis said.
SJSU Provost Carmen Sigler said that the concert was an indication of the impact SJSU has had on the local arts community.
"It is an opportunity to see how the university has contributed to the arts and culture," Sigler said. "Universities are centers of culture and San Jose State has been a major contributor to the arts in this area."
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