SULLIVAN COUNTY — “My very first opera, ‘Angel of the Amazon,' premiered in 2011 at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City,” said Evan Mack. “The opera was so well received by the NY Daily News, Opera News, and the Epoch Times that many people starting asking me what was next. From then on, most of my compositional output has been opera.”

Mack is a native of Forestburgh, but currently lives in Albany working as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs.

Little did Mack know how far his love of music and opera would take him.

“‘Roscoe' is my third opera. It is based on the best-selling novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, William Kennedy,” said Mack.

“Joshua McGuire wrote the libretto and I composed the music. The Albany Symphony will perform the entire opera in concert with full orchestra on October 15 of this year, which is a huge step for any composer.”

According to Mack, “Roscoe” will first be staged at Seagle Music Colony in Schroon Lake from August 3-6 with piano, and later by the Albany Symphony in October. Even more exciting, Deborah Voigt, well-known American operatic soprano who regularly performs in opera houses and concert halls worldwide, will be singing the lead soprano role.

Mack added, “Having Deborah Voigt perform the lead role with the symphony, is a game changer for a composer's career!”

Local girl in Nashville

“Wow, thanks everyone for all the love! I'm overwhelmed with happiness from your kind thoughts!” wrote Erin Slaver of her engagement, on her Twitter account online.

Slaver is a girl of many talents from Liberty who is locally known as being “an awesome fiddle player.”

She began playing the violin at the young age of three and soon after discovered her love of fiddling. Slaver spent much of her childhood and teenage years giving concerts, accompanied on guitar by her father, John. She continued her classical studies throughout college.

Slaver's love of the performing arts eventually brought her to Nashville, Tennessee where she strives to bring all of her talents together. She's an instrumentalist, a songwriter and an actress, a touring fiddler and a concert violinist.

Slaver is also now the soon- to-be-bride of Nashville star and actor, James Christopher “Chris” Carmack.

Carmack is best known for his acting in the TV series ”Nashville,” but Slaver's family has said that, unbeknownst to most, Chris “is a great guitar player with an amazing singing voice.” They went on to say that he is a “terrific young man” and that he and Slaver are a wonderful match for each other.