Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents
“THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE:
THE STORIES OF MARIAN ANDERSON AND LEONTYNE PRICE”
With Vocalist Adrienne Danrich and Pianist Djordje Nesic
May 30 and 31 • Historic Asolo Theater
Artist Series Concerts closes out 2014-15 season with acclaimed soprano Adrienne Danrich performing her moving and award-winning tribute to two pioneering legends of American opera.
“Adrienne Danrich captured the essence of the personalities and artistry of these two great artist/pioneers Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price. Her storytelling ability and the beauty of her voice combine to bring the accomplishments of these great women to audiences that will never hear them live.” –Artistic Director, Cincinnati Opera
(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents “This Little Light of Mine: The Stories of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price,” soprano Adrienne Danrich’s tribute to the accomplishments of these two opera legends, Saturday, May 30, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 31, 7:30 p.m., at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Pianist Djordje Nesic will accompany Danrich in a program that includes Puccini’s “Tu che di gel sei cinta” from “Turandot” and “Tu tu piccolo iddio” from “Madama Butterfly,” as well as the beloved American spiritual, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Tickets are $25 to $45 and can be purchased online at www.artistseriesconcerts.org or by calling 941-360-7399.
Opera News has described the voice of Midwest Emmy-winning soprano Adrienne Danrich as “fresh liquid-silver” and “meltingly tender in its high, floating vulnerability.” Danrich has performed with major opera companies around the world, including San Francisco Opera, Opera Pacific, Dayton Opera and Kenya Opera. Local opera enthusiasts may remember her as La Contessa in the Sarasota Opera’s 2006 production of “Le Nozze di Figaro.” That same year, she received a commission from Cincinnati Opera to write and perform a one-woman show, “This Little Light of Mine: The Stories of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price,” which celebrates the stars through opera excerpts, moving dialogue, and poignant multimedia images.
“Both Anderson and Price overcame enormous racial barriers to become international opera stars,” says Lee Dougherty Ross, the artistic director and co-founder of Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota. ” Marian Anderson was the first African-American singer to perform at The Metropolitan Opera House, paving the way for Leontyne Price, who would go on to perform there and at prestigious venues worldwide.” She adds that “This Little Light of Mine” has toured nationwide and, in 2011, Danrich’s performance won a Midwest Emmy for Outstanding Achievement for On Camera Talent as a Performer and Narrator. For more information, visit www.adriennedanrich.com.
Djordje Nesic’s pianism has been described as “artful,” “assertive,” “sensitive,” and “quietly virtuosic.” Nesic has performed in both concert and recital at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and on “A Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor. Nesic is also in demand as a vocal coach and vocal-recital collaborator, and was featured in the Midwest Emmy award-winning PBS broadcast of “This Little Light of Mine” with soprano Adrienne Danrich. For more information, visit www.djordjenesic.com.
“We’re so pleased to present this celebration of two pioneering artists who paved the way for so many others, including our soloist Adrienne Danrich,” says Dougherty Ross. “I can’t think of a more rewarding way to conclude our 19th 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 2014-2015 season runs through May 2015 and includes six concerts in its “Classical Recital Series,” four concerts in its “Pop Series,” and three special concerts. Three “Lunch, Look and Listen” events are also scheduled. For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2014-2015 season, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or 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.
Photos courtesy of the artist.
