DCINY Welcomes Catrin Finch and Bryn Terfel, 4/22

Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) welcomes "Queen of Harps"Catrin Finch and Metropolitan Opera star Bryn Terfel for a Welsh Celebration at Avery Fisher Hall on Sunday, April 22^nd. This stirring evening of music will feature Karl Jenkins' harp concerto Over the Stone, conducted by DCINY Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Jonathan Griffith; Haydn's joyous St. Nicholas Mass and Joseph Martin's The Awakening, conducted by Richard W. Weymuth; a special appearance by the acclaimed New York choral group KHORIKOS; and a selection of Welsh folksongs performed by Terfel and Finch.

Karl Jenkins' Over the Stone was commissioned at the request of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and was premiered by Catrin Finch and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in the presence of the Prince. The work, originally for two harps and later adapted for one harpist by Finch, includes quotations from the Welsh folk song Tros y garreg (Over the Stone) and Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the Welsh national anthem.

"The Queen of Harps … Catrin has done more than anyone in harp history to bring her instrument to a wider public", says Classic FM. At her Carnegie Hall debut The New York Times commented, "With one touch of the strings … she pulverised the stereotype of harpists as pretty, angelic strummers." Inspired to learn the harp at the age of five, Finch quickly rose to prominence, winning several awards and major competitions, including Young Concert Artists International which led to performances in over thirty states across the U.S. and recitals and concerto debuts in New York, including the Lincoln Centre and Weill Recital Hall, Boston and Washington, DC.

The St. Nicholas Mass, written in 1772, is quintessential Haydn in its energy and infectious joy. The soloists include soprano Kara Shay Thomson, mezzo soprano Doris Brunatti, tenor David Guzman and bass Stefan Szkafarowsky, with Dr. Richard Weymuth conducting the Distinguished Concerts International Orchestra and Singers in what will be his final career appearance as a conductor. Also set to perform on the program is the New York City-based a cappella ensemble KHORIKOS, with its director and founder Jesse Mark Peckham.

To close the program, Catrin Finch will join Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, one of the great singers of our time, in a selection of Welsh folk songs. Mr. Terfel appears with DCINY by the kind permission of the Metropolitan Opera.

Founded by Iris Derke (General Director) and Jonathan Griffith (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor) Distinguished Concerts International New York is driven by passion, innovative vision, a total belief in its artists, and unwavering commitment to bringing forth unforgettable audience experiences. DCINY is a creative producing entity with unmatched integrity that is a talent incubator, a star-maker, and a presenter of broadly accessible, world-class musical entertainment.

Tickets ($20-100) at www.lincolncenter.org or by calling CenterCharge at 212.721.6500.

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