NAC, Jan. 8: Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey together in recital

National Arts Centre Orchestra / News Release

December 19, 2007

For immediate release

Vocal legends Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey together in recital with pianist Jake Heggie on the Bombardier Great Performers series on January 8

Ottawa , Canada ’Äì Two illustrious singing stars ’Äì Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey ’Äì join forces for a glorious duo-recital on Tuesday, January 8 at 20:00 as part of the Bombardier Great Performers Series. The radiant mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade is beloved for her warmth and intimate rapport with audiences, and the resonant bass of Samuel Ramey has given voice to villains and devils, prophets and emperors. With pianist Jake Heggie, their program ranges from classic French art-songs to the classiest hits of Broadway, and includes Berlioz, Offenbach, Copland, Gershwin and Hammerstein, among others.

Recognized as one of the most beloved musical figures of our time, Frederica von Stade has enriched the world of classical music for three decades with her appearances in opera, concert, and recital. Her return to the NAC stage marks her first appearance here since a series of performances between 1977 and 1981 including the acclaimed production of Massenet's Cendrillon for the NAC's Festival Canada in 1979. That same year she recorded Italian Opera Arias with the NAC Orchestra and Mario Bernardi. The mezzo-soprano is well known to audiences around the world through her numerous featured appearances on television including several PBS specials and Live from Lincoln Center telecasts. She has made over sixty recordings with every major label, including complete operas, aria albums, symphonic works, solo recital programs, and popular crossover albums. Her recordings have garnered six Grammy nominations, two Grand Prix du Disc awards, the Deutsche Schallplattenpreis, Italy's Premio della Critica Discografica, and "Best of the Year" citations by Stereo Review and by Opera News which wrote "Everything von Stade touched turned to gold."

Samuel Ramey reigns as the foremost interpreter of bass and bass-baritone operatic and concert repertoire, commanding with astounding versatility an impressive breadth of repertoire that encompasses virtually every musical style. Samuel Ramey holds the distinction of being the most recorded bass in history. His more than eighty recordings include complete operas, recordings of arias, symphonic works, solo recital programs, and popular crossover albums on every major label, garnering nearly every major award including three Grammy Awards. His exposure on television and video is no less impressive, with video recordings of the Metropolitan Opera's Carmen, Bluebeard's Castle, Semiramide, Nabucco, and the compilation "The Met Celebrates Verdi;" San Francisco Opera's Mefistofele; The Rake's Progress from the Glyndebourne Festival.

As a pianist, Jake Heggie has often accompanied Frederica von Stade in recital, as well as such singers as Dawn Upshaw, Kristin Clayton, Susan Graham, Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson, Paul Groves, Thomas Hampson and Bo Skovhus. He is also the renowned composer of the acclaimed operas Dead Man Walking (libretto by Terrence McNally), The End of the Affair (libretto by Heather McDonald, Leonard Foglia and Jake Heggie), the lyric drama To Hell and Back (libretto by Gene Scheer), and the musical scene At the Statue of Venus (libretto by Terrence McNally). The recipient of a 2005-06 Guggenheim Fellowship, he has composed more than 200 songs, as well as concerti, orchestral works and chamber music. (Jake Heggie replaces pianist Warren Jones.)

COMPLETE RECITAL PROGRAMME:

Frederica von Stade

AMBROISE THOMAS: Mignon : Frederick's Gavotte

AMBROISE THOMAS: Mignon : Connais tu le Pays

JACQUES OFFENBACH: The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein:Ah, que j'aime les militaires

Samuel Ramey

BERLIOZ: La damnation de Faust: Devant la maison

CHARLES GOUNOD: Faust : Vous qui faites l'endormie

ARRIGO BOITO: Mefistofele : Ecco il mondo

Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey

AARON COPLAND:

Why do they shut me out of Heaven? (FVS)

The Dodger (SR)

Little Horses (FVS)

At The River (SR)

I Bought Me A Cat (FVS/SR)

Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey

GEORGE GERSHWIN:

Do it again (FVS)

They All Laughed (SR)

How Long Has This Been Going On? (FVS)

Embraceable You (SR)

By Strauss (FVS)

Just Another Rumba (SR)

Let's Call the Whole Thing Off (FVS/SR)

Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey

COLE PORTER: Don't Fence Me In (SR)

OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN : I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say No (FVS)

OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN: People Will Say We're In Love (FVS/SR)

STEPHEN SONDHEIM: Send In the Clowns (FVS)

FREDERICK LOEWE: They Call the Wind Maria (SR)

IRVING BERLIN: An Old-Fashioned Wedding (FVS/SR)

Tickets for this Bombardier Great Performers recital on Tuesday, January 8 at 20:00 are on sale now at $19.00, $29.00, $39.00, $45.00, $49.00, and $59.00 with box seats at $69.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC's website at www.nac-cna.ca. Subscriptions are also still available by calling the Subscription Office at 613-947-7000, ext. 620.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Same-day Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $10 at the NAC Box Office between 14:00 and 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

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Jane Morris

Communications Officer/Agente de communication

National Arts Centre Orchestra/Orchestre du Centre national des Arts

Telephone/Tˆ©lˆ©phone: 613-947-7000 x 335

Fax: 613-996-2828

www.nac-cna.ca

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