The Truth Staff
What a remarkable weekend! Toledoans turned out in droves on Friday morning, October 9, to visit the city’s newest coffee shop, The Last Drop, and to meet a visitor from the world of opera – the African Italian soprano, Mariam Battistelli.
The Last Drop had only been open for a week, so many of Friday’s visitors were viewing the spectacular addition to Summit Street for the first time. They were in for a treat. Owner Amy Hall has fashioned a spectacular spot for a cup of coffee and wonderful food but which is also a convenient setting for meetings, for catching up on some work or for simple relaxation.
Battistelli was in town, courtesy Stayce Fowler and Pursuit Magazine, for a weekend of entertainment and interactions with Toledoans.
The lyric soprano’s first Toledo event was on Thursday evening, October 8, at Share Wine. On Saturday, October 10, she participated in the University of Toledo Homecoming Game, singing the National Anthem.
Battistelli and Friends performed in an evening of song at The Lourdes Franciscan Center Saturday, October 10. Opera Di Notte featured Bastitelli, tenor Chris Scholl and The Clarence Smith Community Chorus.
The event featured a wide range of outstanding selections and was presented by mistress of ceremonies Valerie Walston.
On Sunday, Battistelli appeared with the Toledo Opera at TolHouse and performed selections from Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida, which opened the following weekend at the Valentine Theatre.
