Tom Muraco and Michael Weygandt Set for ART SONG RECITAL at Opera America Tonight

ASPS (Art Song Preservation Society), will present a concert in conjunction with their first annual Summer of Song Series led by baritone Michael Weyandt and International Pianist and Collaborator, Thomas Muraco tonight, June 20 at 7pm at Opera America (330 7th Avenue).

The Art Song Preservation Society is New York's premiere Art Song Organization that serves the New York City area by creating opportunities and performance in the genre of classical art song vocal literature.

Single Tickets for the concert are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Discount tickets are available for NATS(National Association of Teachers of Singing), (New York State Singing Teachers' Association), CMS(College Music Society) and students. Contact Blair Boone at ASPSNY@gmail.com regarding tickets. For all other tickets, visit, artsongpreservationsociety.org, call (646) 369-5247 or purchase directly at the door.

PROGRAM

SCHUBERT
Willkommen und Abschied
Nähe des Geliebten
Am See
Im Freien
Der Jüngling an der Quelle
Auf der Bruck

WOLF (from Mörike Lieder)
Auf eine Wanderung
Um Mitternacht
Begegnung
An eine Aeolsharfe

FINZI
Channel Firing

POULENC Calligrammes (complete)

Paul FUJIMOTO Lying Low
BOLCOM Oh, Close the Curtain
BOLCOM At the Last Lousy Moments of Love
LEHRER I Got it from Agnes

ASPS serves the New York City area by creating opportunities for education and performance in the genre of classical art song vocal literature to classical singers, piano collaborators, and art song aficionados. Our organization also generates exposure for emerging and established composers of art song to their key public - singers, teachers, accompanists, and enthusiasts.

ASPS offers opportunities for artistic development such as private and group voice lessons, workshops, a master class series, and educational lectures through the year. In addition to creating performance opportunities for emerging artists, they also sponsor both the Mary Trueman Vocal Arts Competition, a mentoring program for singers and pianists, recital and concert performances open to the public, community outreach and music therapy partnerships and an informative podcast titled "A Toast to Song."

Opera America is located at (330 7th Avenue) between 28th and 29th streets. Take the1 Train to the 28th Street stop and walk north on 7th Avenue.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Lyric baritone Michael Weyandt continues to engage audiences with his "virile, ardent" singing and "notable characterizations" in an increasingly diverse repertoire. Mr. Weyandt's recently appeared in the North American premiere of Handel's first opera, Almira, with Operamission in New York City, described by Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times as "movingly performed". He also sang debuts with Bourbon Baroque in Rameau's Les Sauvages and with the new music vocal ensemble Ekmeles in a premiere by New York composer Randy Gibson, and won the Art Song Preservation Society of New York's Mary Trueman Vocal Arts Competition.

Thomas Muraco has earned such accolades through a combination of technical virtuosity, tonal beauty, and a unique understanding of the underlying poetry of music. His performances in major concert halls throughout the United States, Canada, Central America, Europe, and Asia reflect his command of a repertoire remarkable for its complete range of musical styles, periods and forms. He has been praised for his insightful interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Brahms, Wolf, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Poulenc, and premieres of William Schuman and George Perle. Mr. Muraco has partnered among others such singers as Adele Addison, John Aler, Martina Arroyo, Arleen Augér, John Cheek, Phyllis Curtin, Mary Dunleavy, Faith Esham, Maureen Forrester, Denyce Graves, Ben Heppner, Henry Herford, Ying Huang, Sumi Jo, Chris Merritt, Roberta Peters, Hermann Prey, Twyla Robinson, Jennie Tourel, Benita Valente and Dolora Zajick.