Hartt Celebrates Vocal Studies Alumni, 4/21

Hartt celebrates its Vocal Studies alumni this spring with an alumni reunion concert on Thursday, April 21, at 7:00 PM in Wilde Auditorium on the University of Hartford's main campus, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Tickets for this concert are $20, and proceeds benefit Hartt's Vocal Studies Division. University of Hartford student rush tickets are available at no charge with ID beginning at 6:45 PM, just prior to the concert, for any seats not yet sold. No other discounts are available. For more information, visit www.hartford.edu/hartt or contact the University of Hartford Box Office at 860.768.4228 or 1.800.274.8587.

Alumni Marie Plette Streshinsky '86, soprano; Donald Osborne '77, baritone; Janelle Anne Robinson '90, soprano; and Marshall Robert Cooper, lirico-spinto tenor, with collaborative pianists Doris Lang Kosloff and Julie McBride, present an alumni reunion concert and evening of fond reminiscence, followed by a special dessert reception.

Soprano Marie Plette Streshinsky is acclaimed in the major opera houses of North America and Europe for her compelling portrayals from Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly to Love Simpson in Cold Sassy Tree and the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro. Her recent performances of Madama Butterfly prompted The New York Times to remark, "The opera did partake of the other great unifying factor here: a star turn, by Marie Plette in the title role." For more information about Marie Plette, visit www.barrettvantage.com/artist.php?id=mplette.

Donald Osborne made his Metropolitan Opera debut in February, 1985, as Robbins in Porgy and Bess. Mr. Osborne's operatic repertory includes more than 40 roles and, in addition to his appearances at the Met, he has appeared with companies throughout the United States. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1983 and has appeared in concert with many choral ensembles and orchestras, including a recent appearance as bass soloist in Handel's Messiah with the Orchestra of The Bronx. Osborne has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hartt School and Regent of the University of Hartford.

Janelle Anne Robinson, currently in the cast of Broadway's Mary Poppins, also appeared in the 2002 Broadway revival of Oklahoma! In addition to her theatrical credits, Robinson has appeared in feature films such as Meet the Robinsons and The Pelican Brief and has extensive television credits.

Lirico-spinto tenor Marshall Robert Cooper has sung with opera companies in Annapolis, Chattanooga, and Alabama, and Eastern Opera Theater in New York City, Southern Regional Opera in Birmingham, Pennsylvania Opera Festival, Connecticut Opera, Whitewater Opera, and Lake George Opera. In Europe, he has performed with the Munich Soloist's Ensemble, The Fuerstenfeldbrueck Philharmonic, the Bavarian State Opera, and the Plauener Stadtsoper. Most recently, Marshall has performed the role of Ubaldo Piangi with the Hamburg, Germany, production of The Phantom of the Opera, and in the European premiere production of Jeckyl & Hyde in Bremen, singing the role of the Archbishop of Bravenstoke.

In addition to the performance, Marie Plette Streshinsky offers a master class from 12 noon until 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 in Berkman Recital Hall. Performers will be chosen from Hartt's Vocal Studies Division and the Community Division Voice Department. Admission is free, but space is limited.

The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre. Founded in 1920, Hartt has been an integral part of the University of Hartford since its charter merged the then Hartt School of Music, the Hartford Art School, and Hillyer College to create the University in 1957. 2010 markEd Hartt's 90th year of providing world class performing arts education to students in Greater-Hartford and around the world. With more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, master classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions a year, performance is central to Hartt's curriculum. For more information about The Hartt School, visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.

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