Even if you’ve never had the thrill of seeing it in live performance before tonight, you already know much about Tosca. Its principal characters have become paradigms of romance. Floria Tosca is the charismatic diva, beautiful but vulnerable, victim of her own jealousy. Her lover, Mario Cavaradossi, is the hunky artist, virile yet sensitive. Their antagonist is one of the greatest of all stage villains — Baron Scarpia, the corrupt, aristocratic police chief who ruthlessly wields power for his own gratification.

All the essentials of great melodrama are here: sex, violence and political intrigue. Tosca is set in Rome in 1800, with Europe in turmoil and Italy longing for national unification. The action takes place in June, on the day of Napoleon’s victory at the Battle of Marengo. Against this tumultuous background, the opera juxtaposes a romantic triangle against the struggle between entrenched political power and idealistic rebel spirits.

Which is more important, ideology or love? When is violence justified? These questions are embedded in a whirlwind of a libretto; the drama spans about 18 hours in three breathless acts. By the end of Act III, all four will be dead. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, “Tosca” takes place Thursday, Feb. 21; Saturday, Feb. 23; and Tuesday Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. For information, visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

Monty Linton is one of four semi-finalists competing for a chance to sing onstage with Pacific Symphony for the second “OC Can You Sing?” competition. Get to know Monty below, then watch his video of “This is the Moment” from Jekyll and Hyde and vote for who you’d like to hear perform on Pacific Symphony’s Pops concert with legendary saxophonist Kenny G Feb. 14-16 at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

How old are you?

44

How and when did you first get introduced to the world of music and singing?

I was first introduced to the world of music as a child.  My parents were avid theatre goers and I was dragged along, unwillingly at first, to many Broadway shows, concerts and the like.  When I was in second grade I was asked to sing a solo for a school Christmas show.  After that my parents had me audition for a children’s choir.  I made it and the rest was history.

What is your favorite style or genre of music to sing?

My favorite style of music to sing is pop/Broadway.  When I was young that was the type of music my parents played.  I loved singing it then and have never stopped.

If you could play any character from a Broadway musical or opera, who would it be and why?

My favorite musical is Company, so the first character that pops into my mind is Bobby from Company.  However, the numbers from Les Miserables for Javert or Jean Valjean are more up my alley.  

Who is one of your singing idols?

Well of course there is Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra and Linda Eder, but I grew up with a special place in my heart for Andy Williams.  Andy was always being played in our home.  I have always enjoyed singing his songs and like the calm mellowing effect his music has had on my life.  

Don’t forget to watch his video and vote!

Grant Yosenick is one of four semi-finalists competing for a chance to sing onstage with Pacific Symphony for the second “OC Can You Sing?” competition. Get to know Grant below, then watch his video of “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables and vote for who you’d like to hear perform on Pacific Symphony’s Pops concert with legendary saxophonist Kenny G Feb. 14-16 at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

How old are you?

 18 years old

How and when did you first get introduced to the world of music and singing?

My first genuine musical experience came during my years in the Southern California Childrens Choir.  When I was going into 3^rd grade, my parents asked me if I wanted to participate in the SCCC, partly because one of my friends was going to.  I didn’t oppose the idea in any way, so my folks signed me up.  The choir met every Tuesday for two hours and it was there that I believe my interests and passions for music were cemented.  Through the choir I was exposed to a great deal of wonderful repertoire and I developed a keen ear for music in general.  Moreover, at each of our practices, we did sight reading exercises which in turn helped me to become the excellent sight reader I am today.  I spent 6 years in the SCCC, progressing from the various levels until I reach the highest level in 7^th grade.  Unfortunately, I had to quit my freshman year of high school due to scheduling problems, but being in the choir was a great experience for me and helped me to really be introduced to the world of music and singing.

What is your favorite style or genre of music to sing?

 When it comes to LISTENING to music, I am fairly open as far as genre is concerned.  However, when it comes to SINGING music, I prefer to sing show tunes and old rock/pop music.  Of course, I enjoy singing classical music, too, but the reason the classical genre is not my favorite is mainly because the majority of vocal music is in Italian, French and German, none of which I speak particularly well (in fact, I took CHINESE in high school!).  With musical theater and old rock/pop music in English, I can connect more to the mood and the feeling of the words and consequently, I can connect more to what I am singing.

 If you could play any character from a Broadway musical or opera, who would it be and why?

It depends on what the qualifications are for wanting the role.  From a strictly musical standpoint, the character of Tony in West Side Story gets to sing what I believe some of the most memorable and beautiful songs in all of musical theater (“Something’s Coming,” “Maria” and “Tonight” are all some of my personal favorites), so he would be one of my first choices.  From a strictly character standpoint, I believe that I am much like the Russian in the musical Chess (which I have been lately obsessed with).  He always feels unsure of himself as I often do, and because he is particularly athletic, he is manipulated by other frequently, s problem which I also find myself in frequently.  More importantly, however, I actually play chess competitively, so I could relate a lot on that level.  I’m sure I’d be happy with either role.

Who is one of your singing idols?

One of my biggest singing idols is the legendary operatic pop singer Andrea Bocelli.  Like me, he has a handicap that limits him to a certain extent, but his voice is so incredibly beautiful, it simply moves people.  Even though I haven’t heard all that much of his music, I think he is amazingly talented and I hope to be as successful as him someday, whichever career path I choose.

Don’t forget to watch his video and vote!

Brooke deRosa is one of four semi-finalists competing for a chance to sing onstage with Pacific Symphony for the second “OC Can You Sing?” competition. Get to know Brooke blow, then watch her video of “If I Loved You” from Carousel and vote for who you’d like to hear perform on Pacific Symphony’s Pops concert with legendary saxophonist Kenny G Feb. 14-16 at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

How old are you?

33

How and when did you first get introduced to the world of music and singing?

Ha! Good question.  Well, my parents put me in piano lessons when I was fairly young, for which I am forever indebted as music has really shaped my life.  In terms of singing, I wanted to sing like Ariel after I saw the movie The Little Mermaid.  I ended up singing “Part of Your World” on a karaoke machine at FAO Schwarz in New York, and my mom, who had not heard me sing before decided to get me voice lessons.

What is your favorite style or genre of music to sing?

I like operetta and the legit musicals (i.e. Rogers and Hammerstein) they are so fun to perform and just seem to sit in a good place in my voice.

If you could play any character from a Broadway musical or opera, who would it be and why?

Christine Daae in “The Phantom of the Opera.”  Dream role by a long shot!

Who is one of your singing idols?

Julie Andrews.  She can sing anything and has had such a long career; it’s admirable!

Don’t forget to watch her video and vote!

Amanda Strader is one of four semi-finalists competing for a chance to sing onstage with Pacific Symphony for the second “OC Can You Sing?” competition. Get to know Amanda below, then watch her video of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl and vote for who you’d like to hear perform on Pacific Symphony’s Pops concert with legendary saxophonist Kenny G Feb. 14-16 at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. 

How old are you?

27 Years Old

What is your favorite style or genre of music to sing?

Give me a show tune and I’ll take you on a journey! There is something about Broadway, where a song comes from an outpouring of dramatic emotions that even out of context they invoke an immediate response. Yet, there is something about opera that makes it just as exciting. I love the rewarding feeling of delivering an aria after hours and hours of learning aspects of a foreign language, what the character would be feeling in the setting, and being able to let an audience feel that same interpretation, even if they have no idea what you are saying.

If you could play any character from a Broadway musical or opera, who would it be and why?

If Broadway would take me…I would just die to join the casts of Evita, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia!, Sister Act or Wicked as anything really, but if the sky’s the limit, just wait a few years and watch the greatest Mamma Rose hit the stage in Gypsy. To play such a complex character, becoming that intense night after night and dragging an audience into your favor would be so challenging and rewarding at the same time.

Who is one of your singing idols?

Just one? The classically gifted Barbara Streisand, the timeless and elegant Celine Dion, and two of Broadway’s lesser-known greats, Stephanie J. Block and Sierra Boggess. 

Don’t forget to watch her video and vote!

INside IN “Mozart’s Requiem & More” — Music Director Carl St.Clair explores the master’s final works in a concert taking place Thursday - Saturday, Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m. for “Mozart’s Requiem Unwound.”

It’s an evening of first-class wine tasting, a delicious wine-paired feast and a silent and live auction of rare bottles and exceptional experiences. Debuting in Orange County six years ago, PCWF has become one of the most respected wine auctions in California, as well as a major fund-raising event for Pacific Symphony.  

“Our 2013 Pacific Coast Wine Festival will be better than ever!” says co-chair and festival founder Mike Kerr. “We are proud to welcome over 24 premium wineries to our festival, including newcomers such as Jaffurs, Blackbird Vineyards, Domaine Cristia, Lewis and Herb Lamb Vineyards. Also new this year, we will be presenting wine-tasting pavilions from Italy and South Africa, hosted by two renowned wine personalities, Michael Jordan, master sommelier, and Peter Koff, master of wine. This will be a unique opportunity to taste with and learn from two amazing experts.”

PCWF takes place Saturday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m. at the newly-renovated five-diamond Island Hotel in Newport Beach. Seating is limited. The deadline for reservations is Jan. 28. Call (714) 876-2364 and visit PacificCoastWineFestival.com. PCWF event sponsors include Ferrari and Maserati of Newport Beach.