Boulder Symphony to Present Bizet's CARMEN, Featuring Erica Papillion-Posey, 5/7

(April 13- Boulder, CO) - Mezzo-soprano, Erica Papillion-Posey described by the Miami Herald as "... the best Carmen this city has seen in decades" is headed to Boulder, Colorado to perform her signature role of Carmen with the Boulder Symphony.

Recently named a semi-finalist in the Paris Opera Awards, Ms. Papillion-Posey has enjoyed a busy season headlining a recital tour entitled "Souls of the Soil" in collaboration with Clayton G. Williams. Now, the prolific mezzo-soprano is busy developing a groundbreaking new concert series; the first of which, The Salon, Reimagined Tour, will debut in 2015 and will be performed throughout Europe and the United States.

In her first operatic performance of 2015, Ms. Papillion-Posey will be appear in the title role of Bizet's Carmen in the semi-staged version presented by the Boulder Symphony on May 9, 2015 with Jason Baldwin as Carmen's jilted lover Don Jose, Tom Kittle at the toreador, Escamillo, and Mica Dominguez-Robinson as the dutiful Micaela.

Ms. Papillion-Posey made her professional North American debut in the role of Carmen with Miami Lyric Opera in 2013 where the South Florida Classical Review raved that she".... captured Carmen's slinky sexiness, radiating allure and trouble... She had the vocal power to sing a soft, seductive "Habanera" in a hall-filling, rounded voice, lingering over the phrases as the men in the square watched. She snapped off the Spanish-style ornaments of the "Seguidilla", and was especially compelling in the lower register, where Carmen's sultriness comes through."

"I couldn't be more excited to make my debut with the Boulder Symphony as Bizet's gypsy vixen! This role has become a second skin for me. The opportunity to revive such a striking, definitive, sensual character for a new audience is always thrilling." Ms. Papillion-Posey noted. "I am looking forward to working with a top notch cast and Devin Patrick Hughes, the artistic director and conductor of the Boulder Symphony."

The performance of Bizet's Carmen will be held at the First Presbyterian Church Concert Hall (1820 15th Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302) on Saturday, May 7, 2015 at 7:00pm. Tickets for general admission are $15.00 for adults/ $10.00 seniors/ $5 students and free for those 18 and under. Tickets are now available for sale, please visitbouldersymphony.org for more information.

A complete list of Erica Papillion-Posey's events follows, and additional information may be found atwww.epapillionposey.com.

May 9
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder Symphony
Bizet: Carmen (title role)
Devin Patrick Hughes, artist director/conductor
Jason Baldwin (Don Jose); Tom Kittle(Escamillo);Mica Dominguez-Robinson(Micaëla)

June 27
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Guest Artist Series
The Salon Reimagined
Jared Peroune, pianist

December 5
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Jazz in the Arts
Chester Diagle, piano; Jay Ecker, upright bass;
Silvia Hankins, percussion; Jairus Daigle, violin

About Erica Papillion-Posey

In 2013, mezzo-soprano Erica Papillion-Posey made her professional North American debut in what has become her signature role of Carmen, where she, ".... captured Carmen's slinky sexiness, radiating allure and trouble... She had the vocal power to sing a soft, seductive "Habanera" in a hall-filling, rounded voice, lingering over the phrases as the men in the square watched. She snapped off the Spanish-style ornaments of the "Seguidilla", and was especially compelling in the lower register, where Carmen's sultriness comes through..." ..." [South Florida Classical Review]. After being hailed as, "... the best Carmen this city has seen in decades" [Miami Herald], companies nationwide have taken notice and she is scheduled for a performance of Carmen in Boulder, Colorado in May 2015.

With roots in jazz music, Ms. Papillion-Posey is regularly engaged to return to her first musical love. Most recently, she dazzled in the bayou of Louisiana as the featured guest artist at the Jazz in the Arts Black Tie Dinner, an engagement she is slated to repeat in 2015. Embracing the blurred lines between the classical and jazz genres, she has developed a groundbreaking new crossover concert series. The first of which, The Salon, Reimagined Tour, will debut in 2015 and be performed throughout Europe and the United States.

In 2010, Ms. Papillion-Posey made her international operatic debut as Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica at the Tuscia Opera Festival, under the baton of maestro Stefano Vignati. The demand for her "wonderful voice... full of grace and sensuality" [El Nuevo Herald] and her fierce commitment to character keeps European audiences coming back for more. Memorable European performances include the title role of Carmen, the Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte both with the Tuscia Opera Festival, Annina in La Traviata with Teatro Kizmet Opera, and Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro with Siena Opera.

Stateside, Ms. Papillion-Posey's notable roles include her portrayal of Princess Akara in the world premiere of The Lady or the Tiger, an adaptation of Frank Stockton's beloved short story by composers Cherise Leiter and Leanna Kirchoff. Ms. Papillion-Posey's "purely exciting and rich voice" [Arte & Musica Magazine] was also featured as Baba in The Medium, Dorabella in Cosi fan Tutte, and in the title role in The Rape of Lucretia.

A prolific concert artist and recitalist, Ms. Papillion-Posey's repertoire includes performances of Handel's Messiah,Pergolesi's Stabat Mater under the direction of Timothy Léon in Tarquinia, Civita di Bagnoregio, Castilione, Capranica and Ronciglione in addition to several solo recitals.

Most recently, Ms. Papillion-Posey was named a semi-finalist in the Paris Opera Awards. In 2013, Ms. Papillion-Posey was named a Continuo Arts, Milton Cross Young Artists Winner after being named the organization's Rising Star Young Artists Winner in 2012. Other accolades and awards include first and second place winner of the Vocal Arts Competition of Colorado, respectively in 2005 and 2006, International Lyric Academy of Rome e Viterbo Award, AMICI of Denver Scholarship, Dante Alighieri Music Scholarship Competition, Jeff Bradley Music Scholarship Fund, E. Stoddard Young Endowment Scholarship, Stratton Faulhaber Scholarship, Coulter Norbloom Scholarship Grant and Joseph Docksey Career Development Fund Award.

Ms. Papillion-Posey earned a Master of Music degree and Advanced Certificate in Vocal Performance (both with honors and distinction) from the University of Denver, Lamont School of Music. She also holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Metropolitan University of Denver. She currently studies with renowned mezzo- soprano Grace Bumbry.

Learn more about Erica at www.ericapapillion-posey.com.

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