|
June 9, 2012 | 12-1 p.m. | Free
When Opera Unplugged rolls into Grace Episcopal Church this Saturday during the Dane County Farmers' Market these are the fine performers you can expect to experience:
 Melanie Cain (Director) Melanie holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance and a Masters of Music from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A native of Carroll, Iowa, she received her BA in both Music and Art from Luther College in Decorah, IA.
Melanie has performed both in the Madison area and nationally receiving rave reviews. The Capital Times wrote, "Melanie Cain sang with a gorgeous range and a strong, thrilling voice that projected to the top row. Cain is a graduate student in vocal performance with a big career ahead of her." While at UW, Cain understudied the well known soprano, Julia Faulkner, in the title role of Vanessa. Melanie was Assistant Director/Stage Manager of the UW Opera's productions of Orpheus in the Underworld and Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte and Le Nozze di Figaro under the direction of William Farlow. She has been a finalist and semi-finalist in numerous national vocal competitions including the Orpheus National Vocal Competition in Tennessee and the prestigious Jenson Vocal Competition in New York.
 Rachel Eve Holmes (soprano) Rachel Eve Holmes recently received an Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Georgia District) and from the Longleaf Opera National Vocal Competition. Other accomplishments include first place in the Colorado Graduate Division NATS competition, along with receiving grants from the Young Singers Foundation, Schuyler Foundation for Career Bridges, and the Society of Singers. She debuted at Carnegie Hall in May, 2011, sponsored by the Associated Music Teacher's League of New York as a winner of their 57th annual competition.
 Jess Salek (Musical Director, percussion) Jess Salek, a Wisconsin native, began his piano study at the age of 9. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Lawrence University, where he received the Margaret Gary Daniels Performance Award. In 1994 he won the piano division of the Wisconsin Federation of Music Clubs competition. He received his Master of Music Degree from State University of New York at Stony Brook in Piano Performance, where he was awarded the Sydney J. Gelber Award for performing excellence.
 Laura Burns (violin) Laura Burns, violin, is a member of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, where she also performs with the Rhapsodie String Quartet, part of the Madison Symphony's Heartstrings initiative that brings live interactive music programs to adults and children with disabilities. The Heartstrings program has been recognized for innovation and excellence by the National Endowment for the Arts, the League of American Orchestras and the International Society for the Arts in Healthcare. Laura Burns performs regularly with the Oakwood Chamber Players, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Oshkosh Symphony, and the Quartessence String Quartet. She has also performed at the Token Creek Chamber Music Festival.
 Michael Allen (cello) Michael Allen enjoys an active career as a performer and teacher. As a member of the resident graduate piano trio at Northwestern University he was a finalist in the Coleman Chamber Music Competition in Los Angeles California and premiered a number of compositions while doing graduate work with Alan Harris in cello performance and music education. He completed his bachelor of music degree from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin working with Carlton McCreery and Harry Sturm in cello performance and music education.
As an active chamber musician he has performed in festivals in Graz, Austria, Vancouver, Island British Columbia, Brevard Music Festival in Brevard North Carolina and most recently at the Maud Powell Music Festival in Illinois. He has been resident cellist for the Oakwood Chamber players based in Madison, Wisconsin. He has been involved with over 30 premieres of various chamber works. He is presently cellist for the Camerata String Quartet. As both soloist and recitalist he has performed recitals in Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington State, Germany and Austria.
 Matthew Haag (accordion, guitars) is a freelance Composer, Sound Designer and Musician. He has written original scores for several Edgewood College shows and is currently writing for Alley Stage Theater company and LittlePodcast.com. Matt is very thankful to have the opportunity to work with Fresco Opera Theater and would like to thank Frank and Melanie for giving him that chance. He would also like to thank his parents, and his wonderful girlfriend Eryka for all the support they offer.
SET LIST:
1. Habanera from Carmen by Bizet
2. Quando m'en vo' from La Boheme by Puccini
3. Belle nuit from Les contes d'Hoffmann by Offenbach
4. Czardas from Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss
5. Lascia ch'io pianga from Rinaldo by Handel
6. Saper vorreste from Un ballo in maschera by Verdi
7. Sous le dôme épais (The Flower Duet) from Lakme by Delibes
8. O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi by Puccini
9. Sull'aria from Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart
10. Ombra mai fu' from Serse by Handel
11. Dich, teure Halle from Tannhauser by Wagner You are always welcome to bring along your lunch, friends, family, and Farmers' Market spoils to every Grace Presents concert.
See you Saturday!
^ Thank you for supporting the arts in Madison through your joyful attendance.
Please share this e-mail with business associates, friends, and family. Grace Presents is sponsored by generous donations from music lovers like you. |
