Tuscon Desert Song Festival To Showcase Outstanding Vocalists, 1/18-2/5

Nine of Tucson's leading arts organizations will showcase outstanding vocalists ranging from Broadway favorite Bernadette Peters to dynamic new-music advocate Tony Arnold in the fifth annual Tucson Desert Song Festival from January 18, through February 5, 2017. The soloists will figure in intimate vocal recitals, orchestral and choral concerts, chamber music presentations, fully staged opera and ballet, and lectures and master classes at a variety of Tucson locations.

Tickets for individual events are available through each presenting organization: the Arizona Early Music Society, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Arizona Opera, Ballet Tucson, True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Tucson Guitar Society, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, UA Presents, and the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music.

Fifth Annual Tucson Desert Song Festival

Jan. 18 - Feb. 5, 2017

For a full listing of Tucson Desert Song Festival events, please visit: www.tucsondesertsongfestival.org

Lecture-recital hosted by Elizabeth Futral

Wednesday, January 18, 7:30 p.m., Crowder Hall; Free

Presented by the UA Fred Fox School of Music

Angela Brower, mezzo-soprano, with Judicaël Perroy, guitar

Thursday, January 19, 7 p.m., Holsclaw Hall; $25 general admission, $10 students

Tickets: www.TucsonGuitarSociety.org or call 520-342-0022

Presented by the Tucson Guitar Society

The great French guitarist Judicaël Perroy makes his third visit to Tucson, but this time in duo with the extraordinary Arizona-born mezzo soprano Angela Brower. Angela has been performing and studying with the Bavarian State Opera the last few years, so this is a chance to hear how this exquisite young voice has matured. Please check the Tucson Guitar Society website calendar, Tucsonguitarsociety.org, for times and places of guitar master classes with Judicaël, which are presented free of charge.

Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Friday, January 20, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 22, 2 p.m., Tucson Music Hall;

Tickets: www.TucsonSymphony.org or call (520) 882-8585

On the program, Schoenberg's A Survivor from Warsaw, a TSO premiere, and Brahms' A German Requiem. A masterpiece for orchestra, chorus and soloists, A German Requiem is the largest piece of music Brahms ever wrote. Guest soloists are soprano Heidi Stober and baritone Andrew Craig Brown.

Bernadette Peters: One of Broadway's Brightest Stars

Saturday, January 21, 8 p.m., Centennial Hall; $35-$85

Tickets: www.uapresents.org or call 1-800-745-3000

Presented by UA Presents

"There are singers and there are actresses; there are entertainers and there are stars. And then, there is Bernadette Peters." - The Los Angeles Times

Rufus Müller, tenor, with Daniel Swenberg, lute

Sunday, January 22, 3 p.m., Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St.;

Tickets: www.azearlymusic.org or call 520-721-0846

Presented by the Arizona Early Music Society

Lecture-recital hosted by Kristin Dauphinais

Thursday, January 26, noon, Holsclaw Hall; Free

Presented by the UA Fred Fox School of Music

Heidi Stober, soprano with Alan Perriello, piano

Thursday, January 26, 7 p.m., Holsclaw Hall; $25 general, $15 students

Tickets: www.azopera.org or call 520-293-4336

Presented by Arizona Opera

"A sterling lyric soprano voice" and a meteoric career make it imperative to hear this recital by the American soprano Heidi Stober, who has become a house favorite at Deutsche Oper Berlin.

Madama Butterfly

Friday, January 27, 7:30 p.m., Tucson Music Hall and

Sunday, January 29, 2 p.m., Tucson Music Hall

Tickets: www.azopera.org or call 520-293-4336

Presented by Arizona Opera

An innocent geisha's love for an American naval officer leads to the ultimate heartbreak and tragedy. Considered Puccini's greatest masterpiece, Madama Butterfly takes audiences to the pinnacles and depths of human emotion, rightfully securing its place in the heavens. Starring Sandra Lopez on Saturday and Rena Harms on Sunday.

True Concord Voices & Orchestra: Elijah

Friday, January 27, 7:30 p.m., Catalina Foothills High School, Tucson

Saturday, January 28, 7 p.m., Valley Presbyterian Church, Green Valley

Sunday, January 29, 3 p.m. Catalina United Methodist Church, Tucson

Tickets: www.trueconcord.org or call 520-401-2651

Felix Mendelssohn's epic oratorio Elijah, starring Grammy Award winning dramatic baritone Richard Paul Fink in the title role.

Songwriting Competition Finals, Grades K-12

Saturday, January 28, 2:30 p.m., Holsclaw Hall; Free

Presented by the Tucson Desert Song Festival

Rene Barbera, tenor, with Cheryl Lindquist, piano

Tuesday, January 31, 7 p.m., Holsclaw Hall; $25 general, $15 students

Tickets: www.azopera.org or call 520-293-4336

Presented by Arizona Opera

This great young tenor won three first prizes at the 2011 Plácido Domingo Operalia. He is the first artist to be the sole recipient of all three awards since the competition began in 1993!

Enso Quartet with Tony Arnold, soprano

Wednesday, February 1, 7:30 p.m., Leo Rich Theater; $30

Tickets: www.arizonachambermusic.org or call 520-577-3769

Presented by the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music

The program includes two quartets by Ginastera, Wolf's Italian Serenade and the Serenata by Turina, with a special appearance by new-music specialist Tony Arnold, who was called a "bold, powerful interpreter" by the New York Times.

Singers from Ravinia's Steans Music Institute, with Kevin Murphy, piano

An Evening of Song: "Love Is Here to Stay"

Friday, February 3, 7 p.m., Holsclaw Hall; Free.

Please reserve a seat by emailing tucsonsongfestival@gmail.com

Presented by the UA School of Music

Ballet Tucson: Love Songs and Other Dances

Friday, February 3, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, February 4, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, February 5, 1 and 5 p.m., Stevie Eller Dance Theatre

Tickets: www.ballettucon.org or call (520) 903-1445

Presenting "In the Mood," a premiere choreographed by Mark Schneider; "Romantic Duets" by Mary Beth Cabana and Chieko Imada; and "Love Songs," a premiere by Daniel Precup starring baritone Bernardo Bermudez (back by popular demand) and soprano Victoria Robertson.

Master Classes

Rufus Müller Master Class: Friday, January 20, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Holsclaw Hall; Free, Presented by the Arizona Early Music Society

Heidi Stober Master Class: Saturday, January 21, 2-4 p.m., Tucson Symphony Orchestra, 2175 N 6th Ave.; Free, Presented by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Kevin Murphy Master Class: Thursday, February 2, 3 - 5 p.m., Holsclaw Hall; Free

(Photo Credit: Kevin Murphy)