2011-2012 Season Press Release
Media Contact: Inna Heasley, 215.280.4824, inna@lyricfest.org
The press release as a Word file.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2011
LYRIC FEST ANNOUNCES CONCERT SEASON 2011-2012
PHILADELPHIA, PA: Lyric Fest, a unique song offering in Philadelphia, announces its Ninth season of an eclectic mix of themes, first-time artistic collaborations and commissioned world premieres in an expanded geography of concert venues.
“In the 2011-2012 season and especially with our two Fall concerts, Lyric Fest will explore some new arenas,” says co-founding artistic director Suzanne DuPlantis. “We open the season immersing ourselves in 900 year old song. Then we fly across nearly a thousand years of music history to present three world premieres, music hot off the press by three outstanding Philadelphia composers.”
2011-2012 Concert Schedule:
The Bawdy Bard ~ Medieval Song and Verse
Friday, September 23 @ 8 pm; The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
Sunday, September 25 @ 3 pm; The Academy of Vocal Arts
Lyric Fest takes its first ever plunge back to the early years of Song, with rousing refrains and medieval verse. Songs and ballads by Janequin, Senfl, Bernard de Venterdorn, Josquin, Purcell and Gastoldi, performed with period instruments.
Artists: Leslie Johnson, Maren Montalbano, Steven Bradshaw, Colin Dill conducted by Music Director Matthew Glandorf, joined by Choral Arts Philadelphia, a consort of early instruments, and actor Jim Bergwall as a Traveling Bard.
To Kiss The Earth ~ Potter, Poet and Guide
Saturday, November 12 @ 3 pm; Philadelphia University, Ravenhill Chapel
Sunday, November, 13 @ 3 pm; The Academy of Vocal Arts
Three world premieres celebrate the creative artist and the flow of inspiration from one generation to the next: Maurice Wright’s To Kiss the Earth, settings of the diaries of Bauhaus potter Marguerite Wildenhain, Allen Krantz’s Little Elegy with Books and Beasts and Curt Cacioppo’s Volgi, Beatrice. With commentary by the composers.
Artists: William Stone, Elizabeth Weigle, the Ravenhill String Quartet, letters and diaries read by Suzanne DuPlantis.
A Very Good Year ~ Happy Birthday to 1912
Friday, March 23 @ 8 pm; Haverford College
Sunday, March 25 @ 3 pm; The Academy of Vocal Arts
A historical snapshot of the world of 1912 — the year “Happy Birthday” first appeared in print. The centennial program features songs and opera composed in that year in the Americas, Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Ukraine and more.
Artists: Meagan Miller, Randall Scarlata, Zach Borichevsky, Suzanne DuPlantis, Randi Marrazzo and The Chamber Singers of Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges, under the direction of Thomas Lloyd, with pianist Laura Ward.
Once Upon a Time ~ Family Concert
Sunday, April 29 @ 3 pm; The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
Tuesday, May 1 @ 10 am (for students only); Girard Academic Music Program School
Sunday, May 6 @ 3 pm; Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cherry Hill, NJ
In this lively introduction to opera for young audiences, Lyric Fest presents three semi-staged mini-versions of The Magic Flute, The Barber of Seville and Hansel and Gretel. Narrated by a puckish Imp and a lovable Fairy-God Mother.
Artists: Markus Beam, Jeffrey Halili, Jake Miller, Maggie Moliterno, Elizabeth Racheva, Sheryl Woods, Suzanne DuPlantis, Randi Marrazzo and the young singers from The Girard Academic Music Program, with pianist Laura Ward.
Tickets and Information: Adults $25, Family Concert $15, Students $5. Early Bird $20 before September 21. Tickets and information at www.LyricFest.org, call 215-438-1702 or buy at the door.
Concert Venues:
The Academy of Vocal Arts: The Helen Corning Warden Theater
1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, http://avaopera.org/venue/warden.php
The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
8855 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19118, www.chestnuthillpres.org
Girard Academic Music Program School
22nd and Ritner Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19145, www.gamp.phila.k12.pa.us
Philadelphia University: Ravenhill Chapel
4201 Henry Avenue, Schoolhouse lane Philadelphia, PA 19144,http://www.philau.edu/directions/
Haverford College: Marshall Auditorium, Roberts Hall
370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, http://www.haverford.edu/visiting/
Trinity Presbyterian Church
499 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034, http://www.trinpres.org/
About Lyric Fest:
Lyric Fest was founded in 2003 by three distinguished Philadelphia-area musicians: mezzo-soprano Suzanne DuPlantis, soprano Randi Marrazzo, and pianist Laura Ward. Lyric Fest is the only performing organization in the Metropolitan Philadelphia dedicated exclusively to the voice recital. Seeking to revitalize and expand the song tradition, Lyric Fest invites regional and internationally recognized artists, who together produce unique and educational programming, built around compelling themes and presented in an intimate setting. Find out more at www.LyricFest.org.
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