September 9, 2015

La Dolce Vita – Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Lari Robling
larirob@gmail.com
215 978 6933
Lyric Fest Presents La Dolce Vita
Thirteenth season premieres sweetly with a program of Italian favorites and little-known gems
PHILADELPHIA, PA – September 9, 2015  Designed to be a delightful Lyric Fest season opener with a lot of sparkle and fun, La Dolce Vita is a mix of beloved Italian vocal works and lesser-known gems from this culture best known for its operatic tradition. Just as the last season began with the origins of art song, La Dolce Vita explores the origins of vocal music in Italy and the passion Italians show for the sensuality of the voice.

There will be a Friday evening concert on October 2, 7:30 pm at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill as well as Sunday afternoon October 4, 3 pm at the Academy of Vocal Arts, with receptions in both venues More information and tickets available at www.lyricfest.org and a link to the program selections here.

Laura Ward, pianist, notes, “There’s a lot of dramatic flair and fun in the selections. We have Rossini, Puccini, and Respighi who wrote not only opera but also lighter songs.” She adds, “The music captures the Italian spirit and dramatic flair, but isn’t necessarily operatic.”

There will be a jazz version of “Se tu m’ami” as well as a nod to Mozart, playfully considered “the other Italian.”  The French are even represented with Reynaldo Hahn’s “La Barcheta” from his “Six Songs of Venice.”

Suzanne DuPlantis said, “La Dolce Vita features one of our favorite artists, soprano Jennifer Aylmer, and we are so lucky to have her back this season. She is such a special singer, a consummate–and hilarious– artist. She’s totally magnetic!”

In addition, Aylmer is joined by mezzo-soprano Suzanne DuPlantis, tenor Eric Rieger and baritone Randall Scarlata with Laura Ward at the piano.

Lyric Fest performed a version of this program in Pittsburgh last season to an enthralled
audience and greatly anticipates bringing the same joy to Philadelphia. There will be solos, duets, trios and quartets, and lots of fun all around. Bring on the Prosecco!

About Lyric Fest
“Compulsively enterprising…” (David Patrick Stearns, Philadelphia Inquirer)
Lyric Fest was founded in January 2003 as a 501 c.3 and is currently led by two of its founders, Artistic Directors Suzanne DuPlantis and Laura Ward. Dedicated exclusively to the voice recital, Lyric Fest occupies a singular place in the Philadelphia artscape and expands the definition of the song recital by jointly featuring regional and internationally recognized artists. Together they produce a happening that is more than just a concert of songs. The mission of Lyric Fest is “to bring people together through the shared experience of song by offering to diverse audiences lively, theme-oriented voice recitals designed to edify, educate, stimulate dialogue, and foster community.”

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