Montalbetti, Ko claim top prizes at competition
Montalbetti, Ko claim top prizes at competition Jennifer Jacoby-Smith The StarPhoenix August 18, 2005 Musicians did Saskatchewan proud at the 2005 National Music Festival last weekend in Kamloops, B.C. Two Saskatoon natives took top prizes in their fields. Soprano Ileana Montalbetti, formerly of Saskatoon and currently living in Manitoba, received first place honours in the voice competition; and violinist Raymond Ko placed first in the strings competition. Montalbetti admitted her win came as a "big surprise." The 22-year-old graduated earlier this year from University of Manitoba's music program. She represented Manitoba at the national festival, but still comes back home to Saskatoon frequently. Montalbetti appeared in Saskatoon Opera's production of Die Fledermaus earlier this summer. She will also return Oct. 29 to participate in the opera company's gala. "I would love to make a living singing," said Montalbetti, "but I'll have to see if th...