COUDERSPORT — It’s been many years since the heyday of the annual Adelphia Christmas parties held at the Consistory in Coudersport.
During much of the last 15 years, John Rigas and his son Timothy Rigas spent time in federal prison. The elder Rigas was offered a “compassionate release this spring,” facilitated by a terminal cancer diagnosis. Meanwhile, Timothy Rigas is still serving his sentence.
With the help of his family, the immense masonic hall was filled once again with holiday cheer for the John and Doris Rigas Holiday Concert.
James Rigas addressed a crowd of Zito Media employees and members of the Coudersport community before the music started, thanking those employees for their hard work.
“Your hard work over more than a decada have made tonight possible,” James Rigas said. “Your steadfast contributions have accomplished what most of us ten years ago had thought unachievable.”
James Rigas explained the concert was an attempt to honor their late mother, Doris Rigas, and their father.
“As we thought about what we could do during the holiday season for our father, an obvious choice was the revival of the holiday concert,” said James Rigas. “It combines a love of good music, a love of Christmas, and a sharing with the community. All things that were important to our parents.”
He then introduced his father, who took the stage, greeted by applause.
Many in the Coudersport community have loved and respected John Rigas, citing his kindness and benevolence to the small community as reasons to stay loyal during the fall of Adelphia. The warm reception as he took the stage clearly communicated that admiration.
John Rigas thanked the group Shattered Glass from New York City for coming to perform, and reminisced of his first time in the Big Apple. He then, with shaky voice told the crowd, “I can’t help but hope that next year, when we hold this concert, my son Tim will be here with us.”
Shattered Glass is a conductorless string ensemble that has performed in Carnegie Hall, and recorded with Grammy Award winning hip-hop artists. The group’s mix of classical string music, holiday favorites, and jazz were a hit with the Coudersport audience, who gave the group a rousing standing ovation at the end of the evening.
One group member addressed the crowd. “We hear you don’t get a lot of larger ensemble groups like this in Coudersport very often. We’re really honored to be the one that you chose!”
The string group also featured a guest vocalist, Jonathan Hoard, whose jazz-style vocals ranged effortlessly from a low baritone to an upper alto.
At one point in the concert, Hoard dedicated a performance of “I’ll be Home For Christmas” to Rigas, and the performance was punctuated by sniffles throughout the auditorium.
The evening ended with a dessert reception for Zito employees and Rigas family members catered by Olga’s Cafe.
