Marilyn Horne Foundation Competition to Take Place July 21
For Immediate Release June 27, 2007
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA- This year's Marilyn Horne Foundation Vocal Competition will take place Saturday, July 21, in Abravanel Hall at the Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Road in Santa Barbara. The all-day event will begin at 10 am. Tickets will cost $15 for the full day, $8 for 10 am to noon, and $10 for 1 to 4 pm.
One of the most popular events of the summer season at the Music Academy, the competition is a showcase for Academy vocalists and pianists. The Marilyn Horne Foundation Awards, presented in honor of longtime Music Academy vocal accompaniment faculty member Gwendolyn Koldofsky, are given to the Academy singer and vocal pianist who demonstrate excellence in the performance of song repertoire as well as a unique gift for audience communication. The foundation presents the award winners in recital during the following concert season in selected U.S. cities. Encouragement Awards are also presented as deemed appropriate by the jury. Joining world-renowned concert and opera singer Marilyn Horne as jurors this year will be Michael Benchetrit (vice president at Columbia Artists Management); the acclaimed baritone Thomas Hampson; Barbara Hocher (executive director of the Marilyn Horne Foundation); Gianna Rolandi (director of the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists at Lyric Opera Chicago); and Ken Noda (assistant to Music Director James Levine at the Metropolitan Opera).
Previous winners of the competition have included Santa Barbara's own Evan Hughes (2006); mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard and pianist Tamara Sanikidze (2005); mezzo-soprano Daniela Lehner and pianist Marie-Ève Scarfone (2004); mezzo-soprano Megan Latham and pianist Carol Wong (2003); mezzo-soprano Deborah Domanski and pianist Jerome Tan (2002); baritone Nicolai Janitzky (2001); and soprano Liesel Fedkenheuer (2000).
The Marilyn Horne Foundation was founded in 1993 by Ms. Horne. Its mission is to support, encourage, and preserve the art of the vocal recital through the presentation of vocal recitals and related educational activities across the United States. It has become one of the most influential and esteemed national nonprofits devoted exclusively to song and to gifted young vocal recitalists. The foundation was officially launched on January 16, 1994, with a gala concert at Carnegie Hall celebrating Ms. Horne's 60th birthday.
The Music Academy of the West is celebrating its 60th anniversary with an unprecedented 2007 season program featuring numerous classical music luminaries. The Academy will present more than 190 events over the course of this year's Summer School and Festival, which concludes on August 11. Highlights will include an ambitious production of La Bohème, performances by baritone Thomas Hampson, violinist Gilles Apap, and the Canadian Brass, and conducting turns by David Robertson and Alexander Lazarev.
For information, call 969-8787. Information is also available online at www.musicacademy.org.
Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation's preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, as well as guest conductors and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and students receive full scholarships. Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many have established themselves as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 175 public events annually, including performances by faculty, visiting artists, and students; masterclasses; orchestra and chamber music concerts; and fully staged opera. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
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