March 26, 2014
MEDIA CONTACTS
Donna Fisk • 941-306-1202 § [email protected]
Su Byron § [email protected]
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota Presents
Baritone Jason Stearns in
“Leading Men and their Music”
Lee Dougherty Ross will accompany Stearns on piano.
April 20 and 21
(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents Jason Stearns, baritone, and Lee Dougherty Ross, piano, in “Leading Men and their Music,” Sunday, April 20, 2 p.m., and Monday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.,at theWeisenborne/Fischer residence. The program will feature the “Toreador Song” from Bizet’s Carmen; “The Desert Song” from Romberg’s operetta, and Broadway favorites, including selections from “Carousel “and “Kiss Me, Kate.” Tickets, which include refreshments, are $45 and can be purchased online at www.artistseriesconcerts.org or by calling 941-306-1202. (The address can also be obtained by calling 941-306-1202.)
Jason Stearns has steadily built a reputation as a distinguished interpreter of the most unique and challenging roles in the dramatic baritone repertoire. Stearns has made impressive appearances with the Metropolitan Opera, where he has performed dramatic roles in such major operas as “Tosca,” “The Flying Dutchman,” “Simon Boccanegra,” “La Fanciulla del West,” “La Gioconda” and “Rigoletto.” A 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Stearns was a featured soloist with the United States Army Band in Washington, D.C., in both the Army Chorus and Army Chorale, where he entertained presidents and heads of state from around the world. Stearns has performed internationally in operas, Broadway shows, revues and concerts. He was awarded a Grammy in 1996 for the recording of his baritone solos in the National Symphony Orchestra’s performance of John Corigliano’s “First Symphony,” with Leonard Slatkin conducting.
Lee Dougherty Ross, who will be accompanying Stearns on piano for this concert, debuted at age 12 as a piano soloist with the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra and later performed the Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto with the Eastman Rochester Symphony. She graduated from Eastman School of Music with a double major in both piano and voice. Her singing career included performances at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall and the Broadway stage in New York, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and the Kennedy White House. She and her husband Jerry Ross founded Artist Series Concerts, now in its 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 runs through June 2014 and includes six concerts in its “Classical Recital Series,” four concerts in its “Pop Series,” one concert in its “Soiree Series” and five special concerts. Three “Lunch, Look and Listen” events are also scheduled. For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2013-2014 season, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call 941-306-1202. For information about group and student discounts, call 941-306-1202.
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota was formed in 1996 as the Artist Series of Sarasota. The group is a non-profit corporation based in Sarasota, FL, that prides itself on presenting several major national and international varieties of concert, opera, orchestral, Broadway and film performances throughout their season. The majority of the performances are staged at the restored Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling.
