APPLETON, WIS. — Acclaimed bass-baritone Mark Schnaible will the guest soloist when the Lawrence Concert Choir, Cantala women’s choir, Viking Chorale and the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra present the Opera Chorus Gala concert Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel, 510 E. College Ave., Appleton.
Tickets, at $10 for adults and $5 for students, are available through the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749.
More than 200 student voices will join Schnaible in performing choruses from a dozen noted operas, including the march of the toreadors from “Carmen,” the coronation scene from “Boris Godunov,” the triumphal scene from “Aida” and the anvil chorus from “Il Trovatore.”
“The wide variety of literature presented in the program pose unique language and musical challenges, requiring us to explore the breadth of our intellectual and stylistic expression,” said Assistant Professor of Music Phillip Swan, who directs Cantala. “We are continually being stretched and motivated throughout this musical journey and we look forward to sharing the richness of these familiar, grand and cherished choruses in one special performance.”
Praised for his “strong, rich and warm-colored voice with assured style,” Schnaible has performed professionally throughout Europe and the United States. A past winner of the Marseille International Opera Competition, he has sung more than 40 roles in his career, including the title characters in Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” and Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd.” Last month he sang Escamillo in “Carmen” with the New Orleans Opera.
Swan will join Professors of Music Richard Bjella and David Becker in conducting combined choir and orchestra portions throughout the concert.
