Michael Schade & Russell Braun give duo Recital in Toronto

International Vocal Recitals Series
Duo Recital
Michael Schade, tenor
& Russell Braun, baritone
with Carolyn Maule, piano
Friday, March 28, 2008 at 8:00 pm / Roy Thomson Hall / Toronto
Tickets: $85 - $25 / 416-872-4255 / or visit the RTH Box Office / www.roythomson.com

For Immediate Release, Toronto, ON. February 29, 2008: - Two world-renowned Canadian opera singers, tenor Michael Schade and baritone Russell Braun, return to Roy Thomson Hall on Friday, March 28 at 8:00 p.m. for their 2nd collaborative appearance on the International Vocal Recitals series. Their "debut" duo recital at Roy Thomson Hall on this series was almost ten years ago, in September 1998. Then, they were called "rising" stars; today, they are hailed as "super" stars!

Michael Schade and Russell Braun each enjoy thriving international performing careers as soloists with the world's leading orchestras and opera companies. The Toronto-based artists are stars at La Scala, Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera and more. As well, these two good friends are equally well known for their duo recital performances throughout the USA, Europe, the UK and Canada.

For their Roy Thomson Hall recital they offer an exhilarating program of solos and duets by Mendelssohn, Schubert, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Wolf, Lysenko, and a Viennese medley arranged by Canadian composer John Greer. Once again, the esteemed Canadian pianist Carolyn Maule (Braun's wife) accompanies them.

Michael Schade was named a Kammersˆ§nger by the Austrian government in 2007, the country's highest award for a singer. Highlights of his 2007-2008 season include performances with the symphonies of Chicago, Montreal and Toronto, the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Virtuosi; recitals and concerts in Bucharest, Amsterdam, Rome, Munich and Vienna; and opera appearances in Vienna, Luxembourg, Hamburg and at the Salzburg Festival. His impressive discography includes the Juno Award-nominated solo albums Die Schˆne Mˆşllerin and Of ladies and love...; and the Grammy Award-winning recording of Bach's St. Matthew Passion.

Russell Braun began his 2007-2008 season as the conniving Count in the Canadian Opera Company's production of The Marriage of Figaro. His opera calendar also includes the role of Wolfram in the San Diego Opera's production of Tannhˆ§user; as Le Gentil in the world premiere of Victor Davies' Transit of Venus with Manitoba Opera; as Figaro in the Metropolitan Opera in the Park's performances of The Barber of Seville; and a return to the Salzburg Festival in Romeo et Juliette. He recently added to his extensive discography with releases of the Grammy Award-nominated Das Lied von der Erde and the Juno Award-nominated Die Winterreise.

Award-winning collaborative albums: In addition to their individual recording credits and honors, Schade and Braun have collaborated on three albums for CBC Records. Two are Juno Award winners: Mozart Arie e Duetti (2007), and Soirˆİe Franˆßaise (1998) which also received the prestigious Gabriel Faurˆİ Award in France; and Serata Italiana (2001), an album of Italian opera arias and duets, which earned a Juno Award nomination.

This performance is sponsored by Lexus.

Upcoming on Roy Thomson Hall's 2007/08 International Vocal Recitals Series (Call 416-872- 4255):
- Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 8:00 pm - BRYN TERFEL, bass-baritone; Malcolm Martineau, piano


MEDIA CONTACT: Liz Parker, Publicity Manager / Ph: 416 593 4822, Ext. 318 / email: liz.parker@rth-mh.com
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