May 10, 2014
Donna Fisk • 941-306-1202 § [email protected]
Su Byron § [email protected]
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota Presents
“Opera and More!”
May 31 and June 1 § Historic Asolo Theater
The concert features solos and duets from “Carmen” and “La Bohème,” selections from “My Fair Lady,” and “Man of La Mancha,” and more. Performed by rising young opera stars Jeffrey Hill and Richard Ollarsaba and accompanied on piano by Avis Romm.
(Sarasota, Florida) For its final concert of the 2013-2014 season, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents, “Opera and More,” a concert of beloved solos and duets from opera, Broadway and more. Selections will include songs from “Carmen,” “ La Bohème,” “Man of La Mancha,” “My Fair Lady,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and many others. Tenor Jeffrey Hill and bass-baritone Richard Ollarsaba, both rising young stars in the world of opera, will be accompanied by pianist Avis Romm. Performances are Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, 7:30 p.m., at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $25 to $45 and can be purchased online at www.artistseriesconcerts.org or by calling 941-360-7399.
Hailed as a “born entertainer” by the Los Angeles Times, with a voice that is “a force to be reckoned with,” tenor Jeffrey Hill has been a featured young artist at both Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Music Academy of the West and has already made multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall, including the premiere of a new work with renowned soprano Dawn Upshaw.
Hill will join forces with another powerful young presence on the opera scene, bass-baritone Richard Ollarsaba. Ollarsaba has performed with the Piedmont Opera, Opera Cleveland, Aspen Music Festival, Aspen Opera Theatre and Music Academy of the West. He also was the bass soloist in a performance of Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy” at the gala celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Tanglewood Music Festival, which was later broadcast nationwide on PBS’ “Great Performances” series.
Pianist Avis Romm, who will accompany Hill and Ollarsaba for these concerts, began her love affair with the instrument at age three. This passion led her to studies at The Juilliard School in New York, and on to a highly successful career as a solo and ensemble pianist for radio, television and stage throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. Romm is a sought-after coach, director, conductor and performer and has worked extensively with the Sarasota Opera as both a musical/vocal coach and pianist/conductor. She also performs regularly with internationally acclaimed soloists and performs with her husband Ronald, a founding member of the celebrated Canadian Brass, and with Ronald and their son Aaron as The Romm Trio.
“We’re so pleased to be able to bring together these wonderfully talented and versatile artists to delight us with a concert of inspired music,” says John Fischer, executive director of Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota. “I can’t think of a more pleasant way to ring in summer and close out our 18th season.”
Since 1996, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota has presented an ever-expanding annual season of concerts by globally renowned and celebrated emerging artists. The 2013-2014 season included 42 performances with a wide range of musical programming, including classical, popular, Broadway, and cabaret. For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call 941-306-1202. For information about group and student discounts, call 941-306-1202.
