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G&G Entwine Pairings WPS Page 8 Why is a college education important? Page 7 EGW FEBRUARY 6 AND 7, 2016 V V V PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1895 WWW.EMPORIAGAZETTE.COM V V V EMPORIA ARTS COUNCIL BRINGS OPERA TO EMPORIA By Regina Murphy [email protected] KENDRA JOHNSON/GAZETTE Evelyne O’Connor, Paul Kennedy and Brian Romano have planned a special pre-concert dinner as a fundraiser for the Emporia Arts Council. Sarah Mesko Brent Funderburk The Emporia Arts Council is offering a chance to see some of the upcoming American stars of opera when “The Metropolitan Opera Rising Stars Concert Series” comes to Emporia State University’s Albert Taylor Hall on Feb. 13. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will “offer fans across North America a rare opportunity to experience remarkable young artists on the cusp of extraordinary careers,” according to tour management. Wo r l d class talent The Emporia concert will feature four vocalists and one pianist: soprano Janai Brugger, mezzo-soprano Sarah Mesko, tenor Sean Panikkar, baritone Trevor Scheunemann and accompanist Brent Funderburk. “It is exciting; it’s something I don’t believe we’ve had before,” said Emporia Arts Center Executive Director Dawn Young. “It’s a chance of a lifetime. These artist are planning on ending their season at the Met in New York City, so it’s wonderful to have that in this community, to have that artistry available.” The group will perform selec- Janai Brugger tions from “Carmen,” “Faust,” “Cosí fan tutte,” and many other operas along with musicals such as “Porgy and Bess,” “South Pacific” and “My Fair Lady.” Brugger is a 2012 winner of all three prizes in Plácido Domingo’s prestigious Operalia competition and of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She made her  debut at Washington National Opera as Micaëla in “Carmen,” a role she sings at Lyric Opera of Kansas City in April. Mesko  was a national finalist of the 2009 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, pe r fo r m i ng with the Met Orchestra under Patrick Summers. She is also among a rare number of singers who have won the Richard F. Gold Career Grant more than once: in 2011 from Washington National Opera and in 2009 from Central City Opera. She has received praise for the role of Suzuki in “Madama Butterfly” and Dorabella in Mozart’s “Cosí fan tutte.” Panikkar is recognized for his “surpassing musicality and passion, commanding self-confidence and gorgeous expression.” The Please see Opera, Page 3 Sean Panikkar Trevor Scheunemann By Cathryne Scharton [email protected] AMERICUS — Americus has a new restaurant. Rolling Hills restaurant opened its doors on Jan. 22.  The restaurant is in the building where The New Breck Cafe was. Restaurant owner Angie Brockelman completely redesigned the interior of the building (but credits the interior design to husband and co-owner Brett Brockelman). Some of the recipes on the menu are new, but some of the recipes came from previous owner of The New Breck Cafe, Jena Johnson.  The name Rolling Hills came about after Brockelman was talking with her friends, who suggested the restaurant be named after the Flint Hills somehow.  Brockelman, who lives in Emporia, previously looked at restaurant spaces in Emporia, but did not have any luck. After finding the building at 622 Main St. was available she decided it would be a good location to try opening a restaurant.  Brockelman said the restaurant employs 10 people, most of them part time.  Rolling Hills sees customers from a variety of areas including Dunlap, Council Grove, Emporia and Americus. The restaurant sees many local farmers that come in for lunch during the week.  Brockelman ran into one major roadblock along the way; the onPlease see Rolling, Page 3 CATHRYNE SCHARTON/GAZETTE  Rolling Hills offers a 14-ounce Kansas City strip. The meat is hand-cut and aged in-house.  Good Evening VOL. 124, NO. 187 Steak dinner suddenly sounds really good.