It's been a decade since a heart attack claimed the life of Leonard Bernstein at the age of 72; but already his stature has reached Olympian magnitude. Lenny, as the world came to know him, was the most famous and successful native-born figure in the history of classical music in the United States.
For two nights, Thursday, April 26 and Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m. in the Skinner Recital Hall, the Vassar College Music Department will sponsor the production of excerpts from four Bernstein compositions, which span more than 30 years of his prolific musical life. Vassar music students, along with local vocalist William Ashby of Poughkeepsie, will perform arias, duets, trios, and ensembles from: "Trouble in Tahiti," a chamber opera written in 1951; "Candide," a comic operetta; "Mass," a theater piece for singers, players, and dancers; and "A Quiet Place," his final opera which was completed in 1983. The workshop is free of charge and open to the public.
Returning to Vassar as artistic director for this year's Opera Workshop is Lynnen Yakes. Yakes, equally at home on stage as operatic mezzo-soprano as well as director, made her directing debut at Vassar in 1996 with the production of Monteverdi's "The Coronation of Poppea." Musical direction for the current production is provided by Sylvia Buccelli of Poughkeepsie and Maria Rivera, a member of the Vassar music faculty.
For additional information, call the Department of Music at (845) 437-7294. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Cathy Jennings, office of campus activities, (845) 437-5370, as far in advance as possible to request appropriate and reasonable accommodations.
Vassar College is a highly selective, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861. Named the 1999 "College of the Year" by Time Magazine/The Princeton Review, Vassar is celebrating 30 years of coeducation.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.
Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.
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