NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: LISA WOSKE
805-756-7110
MEZZO-SOPRANO FREDERICA VON STADE TO PERFORM AT THE COHAN CENTER
Cal Poly Arts presents world-class mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade in her re-scheduled concert of Sunday,
October 28, 2001 at 7 p.m. at the Christopher Cohan Center. Concert
pianist and long-time collaborator Martin Katz will accompany her
recital.
The New York Times has called Ms. von Stade "One of the America's
finest artist and singers." She will perform a program which will include
songs by Granados, Mahler, Offenbach, and Schoenberg, as well as many
pieces by prominent American composers.
Ms. von Stade's career has taken her to the stages around the world's
great opera houses and concert halls. Since her debut with New York's
Metropolitan Opera in 1970, she has sung nearly all of her great roles
with that company. In January, 2000, the company celebrated the 30th
anniversary of her debut with a new production of "The Merry Widow"
specifically for her.
Ms. von Stade has appeared with every leading American opera company,
including San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Los Angeles
Music Center Opera. Her career in Europe is equally illustrious, with
new productions mounted for her at Teatro alla Scala, Covent Garden, the
Vienna State Opera, and the Paris Opera.
She is invited regularly by the finest world conductors to appear in
concert with renowned orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, New
York Philharmonic, London Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Orchestra of
La Scala, and Washington's National Symphony.
Her artistry as a recitalist includes an expansive repertoire, ranging
from the classical style of Mozart and Haydn to the popular songs of
Broadway. She has been nominated for six Grammys, has recorded over
three dozen releases, and appears regularly on television on PBS and
numerous broadcast, including "Live from the Met" performances.
Ms. von Stade holds honorary doctorates from Yale, Boston University,
the Georgetown University School of Medicine, and her alma mater, the
Mannes School of Music. In 1983, former president Ronald Reagan honored
with a White House award recognizing her significant contribution to the
arts and in 1998, Ms. von Stade was awarded France's highest honor in
the arts.
Piano accompanist Martin Katz is one of the world's busiest
collaborators, in demand by the most celebrated vocal soloist in
recital. He has worked with Ms. von Stade was for more than 26 years and
has appeared regularly with Marilyn Horne, Kathleen Battle, Kiri Te
Kanawa, Cecilia Bartoli, Sylvia McNair, Jose Carreras in both concerts
and recordings.
When not performing, Mr. Katz is a music professor at the University of
Michigan, where he was recently named the Arthur Schnabel Professors of
Music. He is also a frequent instructor for master classes, regularly
visiting such places as the Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard
School, and Tanglewood Music Center.
There will be a pre-concert lecture held by Cal Poly music faculty
member Jacalyn Kreitzer at 6 p.m. in Philips Recital Hall.
A gala artist reception, with ticket proceeds benefiting the Cal Poly
Music Department Scholarship Fund, will be held after the evening
concert in the Founders Room of the Christopher Cohan Center.
Tax-deductible Gala tickets may be purchased through the Music
Department by calling 756-2607.
Tickets for the concert performance range from $32-$44, with student
discounts available, and may be purchased at Performing Arts Ticket
Office, 10a.m. to 6p.m. weekdays and 10a.m. to 4p.m. Saturdays. To order
by phone, call 805/SLO-ARTS (756-2787); to order by fax: (805) 756-6088.
This performance is sponsored by local arts patrons Gerry and Peggy
Peterson and is co-presented by KCBX FM 90.1.
For audio and video samples of Cal Poly Arts events, visit http://www.calpolyarts.org/.