Denyce Graves to Join Sphinx Virtuosi and Catalyst Quartet at Harris Theater, 10/1

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance welcomes back the internationally renowned Sphinx Virtuosi (formerly known as the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra) and the Catalyst Quartet, joined by celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves on Tuesday October 1, 2013 at 7:30 pm. This one-time collaboration between Ms. Graves and Sphinx can only be seen at the Harris.

Lauded by the New York Times as "first rate in every way," the Sphinx Virtuosi and Catalyst Quartet are comprised of the top Laureates of the national Sphinx Competition for young African American and Latino string players. The ensemble will perform a diverse program to include works by Bach, Vivaldi, Britten, and more, along with a special selection of spiritual arrangements sung live by Graves.

"We're thrilled to welcome back the inspiring Sphinx Virtuosi, and even more thrilled to welcome Denyce Graves for her first appearance on the Harris stage," said Michael Tiknis, President and Managing Director of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. "This exciting collaboration pairs an exceptional organization with an exceptionally talented artist, in a one-of-a kind performance here in Chicago."

Tiknis added, "As we enter our 10th anniversary year, the Harris continues to enhance its mission of facilitating artistic collaborations. This is one of those occasions, broadening the scope of artistry and cultural diversity with new ideas and unique partnerships."

Fresh off her appearance at the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, Ms. Graves has selected three songs of Gospel and folk origin, a departure from the typical Sphinx repertoire. This marks the only Sphinx performance that will feature Ms. Graves during the group's fall tour, which includes a stop at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The Sphinx Chamber Orchestra made its Chicago debut at the Harris in 2008 as part of the Theater's Fifth Anniversary Season.

The program for the Sphinx Virtuosi engagement includes:

Montgomery Strum

Sphinx Virtuosi

Piazzolla Tango No. 1 "Coral", Tango No. 2 "Cantengue"

Sphinx Virtuosi

Lee III Spiritual arrangements

Denyce Graves and Sphinx Virtuosi

INTERMISSION

Perkinson Louisiana Blues Strut: A Cakewalk

Adé Williams, violin

Bach Goldberg Variations

Catalyst Quartet

D'Rivera Wapango

Catalyst Quartet

Vivaldi Concerto for 2 Cellos and String Orchestra in G minor

Gabriel Cabezas, cello

Christine Lamprea, cello

Perkinson Sinfonietta No. 1, Rondo: Allegro Furioso

Sphinx Virtuosi

Tickets to this special performance are $10 - $25 and are on sale now at the Harris Theater Box Office located in Millennium Park at 205 E. Randolph Dr., by calling 312-334-7777 or online at www.harristheaterchicago.org.

The Harris Theater believes that all families should have the ability to benefit from the inspiration and powerful healing effects of music and dance, regardless of their financial limitations. To ensure that the arts remain a vital part of the community during challenging economic times and beyond, the Harris Theater's Access Tickets Program pledges to provide a minimum of 10% of Sphinx Virtuosi tickets free of charge to children and families through partnerships with 23 health and human service and community based organizations. Thanks to the generous support of our funders and patrons, the program will provide a unique live arts experience to 1,250 children and their families this season.

The internationally heralded Sphinx Virtuosi is an ensemble comprised of the top Laureates of the national Sphinx Competition for young African American and Latino string players. Inspired by Sphinx's mission to increase participation of African American and Latinos in music schools; as professional musicians; and as classical music audiences; Sphinx Virtuosi works to advance diversity in classical music while engaging young and new audiences through performances of varied repertoire. Sphinx Virtuosi is admired for its performances of masterpieces by Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart, alongside the more seldom presented works by composers of color, including Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, George Walker, Michael Abels and Astor Piazzolla. The group earned rave reviews from the New York Times in December of 2004, during its highly acclaimed debut at Carnegie Hall; the Sphinx Virtuosi has returned to Carnegie Hall annually performing to sold-out audiences with over 2,800 patrons in attendance at each performance.

The Catalyst Quartet is comprised of top Laureates and alumni of the internationally acclaimed Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino string players. The mission of the ensemble is to advance diversity in classical music and inspire new and young audiences with dynamic performances of cutting-edge repertoire by a wide range of composers. Founded by the Sphinx Organization, the Catalyst Quartet combines a serious commitment to diversity and education with a passion for accessible contemporary works.

The Sphinx Organization is the national non-profit arts and youth development organization dedicated to building diversity in classical music. The mission of the Sphinx Organization is to increase African American and Latino participation in music schools, as professional musicians, as classical music audiences, and to administer youth development initiatives in underserved communities through music education. Sphinx envisions a world in which classical music reflects cultural diversity and plays a role in the everyday lives of youths.

Recognized worldwide as one of today's most exciting vocal stars, Denyce Graves continues to gather unparalleled popular and critical acclaim in performances on four continents.

Ms. Graves appears continually in a broad range of repertoire with leading theaters in North America, Europe, and Asia. Highlights include a Robert Lepage production of The Rake's Progress at San Francisco Opera, the title role in Richard Danielpour's Margaret Garnerin the world premiere performances at Michigan Opera Theater with further performances at Cincinnati Opera, Opera Carolina, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the role of Charlotte in Werther for Michigan Opera Theater opposite Andrea Bocelli in his first staged operatic performances. She has been featured on radio and television as a musical performer, celebrity guest, and as the subject of documentaries and other special programming. She has been a frequent guest on television shows including Sesame Street, The Charlie Rose Show, and Larry King Live. In 1996 she was the subject of an Emmy Award-winning profile on CBS's 60 Minutes.

A native of Washington, D.C., Ms. Graves attended the Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts. She continued her education at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory. In 1998, Ms. Graves received an honorary doctorate from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. She was named one of the "50 Leaders of Tomorrow" by Ebony Magazine and was one of Glamour Magazine's1997 "Women of the Year." In 1999, WQXR Radio in New York named her as one of classical music's "Standard Bearers for the 21st Century." Ms. Graves has been invited on several occasions to perform in recital at the White House, and she provides many benefit performances for various causes special to her throughout each season.

Ms. Graves is the recipient of many awards, including the Grand Prix du Concours International de Chant de Paris, the Eleanor Steber Music Award in the Opera Columbus Vocal Competition, and a Jacobson Study Grant from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation. In 1991, she received the Grand Prix Lyrique, awarded once every three years by the Association des amis de l'opéra de Monte-Carlo, and the Marian Anderson Award, presented to her by Miss Anderson. In addition, Ms.Graves has received honorary doctorates from the College of Saint Mary and Centre College.

The Harris Theater's mission is to partner and collaborate with an array of Chicago's emerging and mid-sized performing arts organizations to help them build the resources and infrastructure necessary to achieve artistic growth and long-term organizational sustainability. The Harris Theater for Music and Dance was the first multi-use performing arts venue to be built in the Chicago downtown area since 1929 and today the Theater continues to host the most diverse offerings of any venue in Chicago, featuring the city's world-renowned music and dance institutions and the Harris Theater Presents series of acclaimed national and International Artists and ensembles. To learn more about the season at the Harris Theater, visit www.harristheaterchicago.org or call the box office at 312-334-7777 to request a brochure.

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