Suzanne Nance and Friends to Perform at Maine State Music Theatre, 7/29

Maine State Music Theatre is thrilled to present a one night only concert starring Suzanne Nance and Friends on Monday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m.

This intimate evening of song will showcase a variety of songs from opera including George Gershwin's, "Summertime" from PORGY AND BESS; Leo Delibe's "Lakme Duet (Flower Duet)" from LAKME; George Bizet's "Au fond du temple saint" from THE PEARL FISHERS; Giacomo Puccini's "O Soave Faciulla" from LA BOHEME; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "La ci darem la mano" from DON GIOVANNI; and Gioacchino and Rossini's "The Cat Duet."

The second act will feature Broadway showtunes including Leonard Bernstein's WEST SIDE STORY and ON THE TOWN; Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY; Rogers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC; and Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock's SHE LOVES ME.

Suzanne Nance is a singer, actor, and broadcaster. Recognized for her "crystalline soprano voice and sparkle on the stage," she is admired for her versatility, from the concert stage to the operatic arena.

Ms. Nance has performed with opera companies, orchestras and musicians in the US and in Europe, most recently most recently in Prague, Czech Republic,Chicago, Boston, New York and London, appearing in operas such as COSI FAN TUTTE, MADAMA BUTTERFLY and LITTLE WOMEN.

Recent highlights include singing with the Portland Symphony Orchestra and conductor Robert Moody, the Daponte String Quartet, Bay Chamber Concerts in Carmina Burana conducted by Anthony Antolini, as well as performances in a "Velvet Revolution" concert (featuring singers from around the world) in Prague, Czech Republic, L'Incoronazione di Poppea in Novafeltria, Italy performing the role of Ottavia and Francis Poulenc's GLORIA with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra as the soprano soloist.

A recipient of the David Leibig Memorial Grant and Robert J. Lurtsema Scholarship Award (AMPPR) for performance of and dedication to classical music, Ms. Nance has enjoyed performances on PBS and NPR.

Hailed as the "Queen of Classical" by the Portland Press Herald's Bob Keyes, and the "Anti-Diva" by Monica Wood in Downeast Magazine, Ms. Nance, joined MPBN in 2007, and is currently the Music Director for Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN). Ms. Nance produces and hosts the weekday morning classical music program from 9 a.m. to noon on MPBN Radio. In the recent past, she has interviewed artists such as Jessye Norman, Hilary Hahn, Joshua Bell, Alisa Weilerstein, Chris Thile, Renée Fleming and Yefim Bronfman. Nance is also the Creator, Executive Producer and Host of MPBN's Maine Arts! Series on Radio, TV and the Web.

Joining Suzanne Nance on stage and in song will be tenor, John McVeigh, mezzo-soprano, Andrea Graichen, and baritone, Leon Griesbach.

John McVeigh was acclaimed for his "fresh-toned and touching portrayal" by Opera News and lauded by the New Orleans Times-Picayune for his "rich lyrical tenor, fabulous top notes, and striking good looks," Mr. McVeigh continues to garner attention for his countless world class performances at the most revered houses throughout the United States and all over the world.

Mr. McVeigh's performances in opera also include his Metropolitan Opera debut as Pang in TURANDOT, followed by return appearances as Bardolfo in FALSTAFF and Tinca in IL TABARRO; Fenton in FALSTAFF and Arbace in IDOMENEO with Santa Fe Opera; Don Ottavio in DON GIOVANNI with Glimmerglass Opera and Austin Lyric Opera; Tamino in DIE ZAUBERFLOTE with New York City Opera and Houston Grand Opera; Azor in ZEMIRE ET AZOR with Arizona Opera; and Ferrando in COSI FAN TUTTE in a return to Austin Lyric Opera.

Highlights of Mr. McVeigh's considerable European and international career include Montverdi's VESPERS OF 1610 and Adrastro in Traettas' ANTIGONAwith the Théâtre du Châtelet; Lurcanio in ARIODANTE at the Gran Teatre del Liceu and de Vlaamse Opera; Endimione in Martin y Soler's L'ABORE DI DIANA at the Gran Teatro del Liceu; St. Stephen in FOUR SAINTS IN THREE ACTS at the Edinburgh Festival; Bill in Jonathan Dove's FLIGHT with de Vlaamse Opera; Novice in Billy Budd with Teatro Carlo Felice; Lysander in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and Endimione in Martin y Soler's L'ABORE DI DIANA at Teatro Real; Emilio in PARTENOPE at the Göttingen Handel Festspiele; Teseo in Traetta's IPPOLITO ED ARICIA with Opéra de Montepellier; Ozia in Mozart's rarely performed BETULIA LIBERATA with Christophe Rousset and Les Talen Lyriques; and Marzio in MITRIDATE, RE DI PONTO at Grenada's Festival Internacional de Música y Danza.

Andrea Graichen sang with the Andover (MA) Choral Society, Music in the Mountains in northern California, and the San Antonio Choral Society. Ms. Graichen performed with the Seaglass Chorale in Kennebunk, the Choral Art Society and the Choral Art Camerata.

Ms. Graichen's solo appearances include Pergolesi's STABAT MATER; Poulenc's GLORIA; Stravinsky's MASS; Britten's CEREMONY OF CAROLS; Bach's MASS IN B MINOR; Handel's MESSIAH; Vivaldi's GLORIA; Beethoven's FANTASY IN C MINOR; Haydn's LORD NELSON MASS; Mendelssohn's ELIJAH; Mozart's CORONATION MASS, REGINA COELI, and REQUIM; plus many smaller works, among them Strozzi's LAGRIME MIE, Ballio's THE OLD BRIDGE AT FLORENCE, and Monteverdi's LAMENTO D'ARIANA.

Leon Griesbach has appeared throughout Maine and Washington, DC as a Bass soloist. Performances have included Handel's MESSIAH, Mark Blitzstein's opera REGINA, and other works performed with the Choral Art Society, the Androscoggin Chorale, and recitals showcasing the works of Vaughan Williams and J.S. Bach and many others.

An active member of the American Choral Directors Association, Mr. Griesbach has appeared as conductor with many ensembles including the Catholic University of America Chorus, the St. Peter's Catholic Church choir and orchestra, a guest clinician for the All Catholic Schools Music Festival, and as Director of the Concert Choir of the Boy Singers of Maine.

Martin Perry, will accompany the performers on piano. Mr. Perry has distinguished himself as a masterful and innovative interpreter of both solo and collaborative music. A graduate of the Juilliard School under Adele Marcus, he has toured the U.S. and abroad several times as soloist, and orchestral appearances include the Moscow Philharmonic, Baltic Philharmonic, Boston Pops, Arkansas Symphony and Florida Philharmonic. Carolyn Mix accompanies Mr. Perry on violin.

Tickets to see Suzanne Nance and Friends are now on sale. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the MSMT box office at (207) 725-8769, visit the box office at The Pickard Theater or select and purchase your seats online at www.msmt.org. The Pickard Theater is located at 1 Bath Road in Brunswick, on the campus of Bowdoin College.

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