Opera San Jose to Host Irene Dalis Memorial Concert, 5/16

Opera San José is hosting a memorial concert for its former general director and founder, Irene Dalis, at the California Theatre on May 16, 2015 at 8 p.m. The concert will feature arias and ensembles performed by over 20 current and former members of Opera San José's resident company, accompanied by the Opera San José Orchestra and Chorus.

A dramatic mezzo soprano, Dalis was admired internationally for her vocal richness and fiery dramatic presence. Among her most notable roles were Amneris in Verdi's Aida and Princess Eboli in his Don Carlo, as well as Isolde in Wagner's Tristan und Isolde and Kundry in his Parsifal, and Richard Strauss' Klytaemnestra in Elektra and the Nurse in Die Frau ohne Schatten.

After retiring from the Met in 1976, Dalis returned to San José and became a professor of music at San José State University. In 1984, she formed Opera San José, the only resident opera company in the United States. Dalis retired from Opera San José in 2014 and the Opera San José board of trustees selected Larry Hancock to take over as general director.

Dalis's last wish was that there be no memorial service, but she did allow a fundraising concert in her memory. That concert will include:

Eilana Lappalainen, Soprano: Lappalainen served as a member of the resident company from 1988 to 1992. Since her time at Opera San José, Lappalainen has performed with San Francisco Opera, La Scala Opera, National Theater in Warsaw, New York City Opera, Seattle Opera, Kentucky Opera, Nashville Opera, Polish National Opera, Opera Lyra, Minnesota Opera, Opera Bellas Artes, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro Giuseppe Verdi, Virginia Opera, and in Carnegie Hall.

Lori Phillips, Soprano: Phillips was a member of the resident company from 1995 to 1996. Since her time at Opera San José, Phillips has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Hawaii Opera Theater, Michigan Opera Theater, Arizona Opera, Seattle Opera, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Portland Opera, Nashville Opera, Opera de Québec, Opera Carolina, Opera Birmingham, Atlanta Opera, Vancouver Opera, Opera Memphis, Dallas Opera, Florentine Opera, and Boston Opera.

Julie Makerov, Soprano: Makerov served as a member of the resident company from 2001 to 2003. Since her residency with Opera San José, she has performed at The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Theater of Saint Louis, Los Angeles Opera, Salzburg Opera Frankfurt, Seattle Opera, Sarasota Opera, and Palm Beach Opera.

Robert McPherson, Tenor: McPherson was a member of the resident company from 1997 to 1999.

Since his residency at Opera San José, McPherson has performed at The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Welsh National Opera, New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, Vlaamse Opera, Opera Naples, Polish National Opera, Opera de Toulon, Florentine Opera, Opera de Vichy, Pacific Opera Victoria, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Cleveland Opera, and Los Angeles Opera.

Nmon Ford, Baritone: Ford served as a member of the resident company from 1996 to 1997. Since his residency with Opera San José, Ford has performed with Michigan Opera Theater, Teatro Comunale Bologna, Teatro Sociale di Trento, Hamburg State Opera, and the Auditorium Palacongressi di Rimini.

A complete list of performers can be found at: http://www.operasj.org/tickets/irene-dalis-memorial-concert/

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