Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota Presents
Edgar Moreau, Cello
with Jessica Xylina Osborne, Piano
February 12 Ÿ Faith Lutheran Church
This French “musketeer of the bow” captivates audiences around the world with his effortless virtuosity and dynamic performances.
“Edgar Moreau captivates all those who hear him. Behind his boyish looks lies a performer of rare maturity. He is equally at ease in a chamber ensemble, as a soloist with orchestra or in recital, and his facility and pose are simply astounding.” – Diapason
(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents Edgar Moreau, cello, with Jessica Xylina Osborne, piano, February 12, 3:00 p.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Road, Sarasota. The duo’s program, “French Connection,” features Beethoven’s Sonata No 2 in G Minor, Op. 5, No. 2, Poulenc’s Sonata for Cello and Piano, FP 143, Eric Tanguy’s “Spirale,” and Brahms’ Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38. Tickets are $30 (general seating), and are available at www.artistseriesconcerts.org or by calling 941-306-1202. Student tickets, for $10, are available at the door. The recital is part of the French Festival of Music, a community-wide tribute to the music, composers and culture of France, February 12 through March 24. For a complete schedule of events visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
Called the “rising star of the French cello,” and a “musketeer of the bow,” 24-year-old Paris native Edgar Moreau consistently captivates audiences with his effortless virtuosity and dynamic performances. Last year, Moreau was named “Solo Instrumentalist of the Year” by France’s Victoires de la Musique and was recently selected as one of the European Concert Hall Organization’s 2016-2017 Rising Stars. Moreau is represented by Young Concert Artists, a non-profit organization that has been fostering the careers of young and gifted musicians since 1961.
“Young Concert Artists discovers and launches the careers of exceptional young musicians from all over the world,” says Joseph Holt, director of artist programs for Artist Series Concerts. “We’ve established a meaningful connection with YCA—and will continue to feature the organization’s artists in years to come.”
Hailed by the Washington Post as a pianist “with a refreshing mellowness and poetic touch” after her debut with the National Symphony Orchestra, Jessica Xylina Osborne is called one of the most intensely expressive and passionate artists of her generation. A soloist, collaborator, chamber musician, and teacher, Osborne has collaborated with some of the world’s most distinguished performing musicians and has performed widely in the United States, Europe, and the Far East, including performances in such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Seoul Arts Center. Radio broadcasts include NPR’s Performance Today, WQXR in New York, and WGMS in Washington, D.C., among others.
Moreau and Osborne will also participate in SILL’s “Musical Conversations” with June LeBell, Monday, February 13, 10:30 a.m., at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota; and with Joseph Holt, the same day, 3 p.m., at Venice Presbyterian Church, 825 The Rialto, in Venice. A special $8 discount for Artist Series Concert ticket holders will be offered at the door with an ASC ticket stub. For details about the SILL events, visit www.sillsarasota.org.
The Remaining 2017 21st Anniversary Season at a Glance
Classical Recitals
(Check individual listings for dates, times and venue.)
- John Brancy, baritone: Hailed by the New York Times as “a vibrant, resonant presence,” and winner of the 2013 Marilyn Horne Song Competition, rising young baritone John Brancy is joined by pianist Peter Dugan, and Sarasota Orchestra musicians Christopher Schnell (cello), and Betsy Traba (flute), in “Rejoicing in Ravel,” February 19, 3:00 p.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Road, Sarasota.
Pops and Special Performances
(Check individual listings for dates, times and venue.)
- Violette and La Vie en Rose Band: La Vie En Rose is a tasteful marriage of French chanson and Golden Age swing. With her luxurious, silky smooth voice and repertoire of timeless American standards and French jazz songs, singer Violette and her ensemble of international musicians create a captivating alliance of old world and new, of French charm, American glam and soulful pop. Raised in Ars-en-Re, a small village on an island off the coast of France, pianist, singer and composer Violette founded the band while living in Boston in 2009. Since then, the band has won several awards and currently performs over 150 shows a year including, in 2016, performances at the Blue Note Jazz Festival and at the renowned Sunset/Sunside Jazz Club in Paris, France. March 19, 3:00 p.m., at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice.
- Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway in “Sibling Revelry:” Jazz headliner Ann Hampton Callaway and Broadway star Liz Callaway reprise their critically acclaimed show “Sibling Revelry” with pianist Alex Rybeck. The Tony-nominated sisters have enjoyed stellar individual careers, but when their “equally splendid voices harmonize, ‘Sibling Revelry’ becomes a thrilling display of vocal prowess.” (Stephen Holden; The New York Times) March 26, 3:00 p.m., at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota.
- “Hot ‘n’ Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration!” with Maria Wirries: Wirries joins forces with five more singers and two pianists in this bubbly, two-act tribute to the classic, melodic, witty, sexy and sophisticated songs of Cole Porter. May 14, 3:00 p.m., at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Lunch, Look and Listen
One-hour concerts at 11 a.m. followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. At Michael’s On East Ballroom, 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota.
- “La Flûte Enchantée” Sarasota Orchestra principal flutist Betsy Traba with Jenny Kim-Godfrey, soprano, and Joseph Holt, piano. February 16.
- Belle Canto: Sarasota’s premier women’s choral ensemble showcases the unique beauty and quality of sound that comes from the blending of women’s voices in an all-French program. March 16.
Soirée Series
Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. and Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. At the Weisenborne/Fischer residence. Call for more information and address.
- “Tenor on the Road:” Lyric tenor Blake Friedman and Joseph Holt, piano. Blake Friedman presents a program devoted to travel, not only geographically, but spiritually as well. April 16 & 17.
Other special events
- Artist Series Concerts Friends presents its annual fundraiser in support of Artist Series Concerts’ competitions, as well as educational/community outreach programs. The event nets more than $50,000 annually. The 2017 ASC Friends’ gala, “Carnival of Venice,” is March 8 at Michael’s On East.
- Artist Series Concerts National Competition will feature young pianists, ages 18-25, and takes place on April 29. The competition rotates each year between singers, pianists, and string instrument players. From its inception in 2007 through 2015, Artist Series Concerts’ statewide young musician’s competition came to be one of the most prestigious competitions in Florida, awarding over $230,000 to 66 talented young musicians. Past winners have gone on to study at leading music conservatories and pursued successful music careers. In 2016, the competition was opened to young singers nationwide and awarded $26,000 to seven winners.
- The Suncoast Music Scholarships, a new annual collaborative competition conducted and funded by Artist Series Concerts and the Sarasota Music Club, awards another $20,000 to young musicians from high schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The SMS auditions are scheduled for April 22.
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota was formed in 1996 as Artist Series of Sarasota. The non-profit organization presents world-class musical experiences in a diverse range of genres, including classical, cabaret, pop, Broadway, orchestral and opera. A central focus of Artist Series Concerts’ mission is to spark a lifelong love of the musical arts by exposing young people to interactive music experiences. It accomplishes this through its performance-based outreach programs in area schools, creating unique learning opportunities for thousands of students and educators every year. In addition, Artist Series Concerts’ preeminent Sarasota National Music Scholarship Awards grants more than $20,000 annually to gifted, young musicians from around the country. Past winners have gone on to study at leading music conservatories and pursued successful music careers. For more information, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
