In the season 2007-2008, The Markham Theatre invited the audience to attend an open rehearsal with the Grand Salon Orchestra, conducted by Kerry Stratton. The public interest was such that this season, during the Rising Stars Series, they invite the audience behind the scenes again for a glimpse into the preparation of singers. The IRCPA thanks tenor Michael Ciufo for including this brief encounter in his recital on Thursday, January 27, and the two artists who donate their services, Clarice Carson and Lois McDonall.
Tuesday, January 27 at the Markham Theatre
TENOR MICHAEL CIUFO PERFORMS IN RISING STAR SERIES
AND TAKES AUDIENCE BEHIND SCENES WITH COACHING
FROM CANADIAN OPERATIC DIVAS
How does an opera singer need to prepare for the world stage?
Michael Ciufo is a young tenor from the GTA, already on his way to a career in music.
On Tuesday, January 27, 2009 , 7 p.m. tenor Michael Ciufo performs Italian operatic arias, stirring Neapolitan songs, English folksong arrangements and more with pianist Jennifer Tung at the Markham Theatre for Performing Arts, 171 Town Centre Blvd. , Markham (Hwy. 7 just west of Warden). Tickets are $25; $5 high school students and $20 post-secondary students (with student ID). To order, call 905-305-SHOW (7469) or visit www.markhamtheatre.ca . For information, visit www.sumarts.com/ircpa or call 416 362 1422.
The event is the third in the Rising Stars series, presented by the Markham Theatre in conjunction with emcee Maestro Kerry Stratton and the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists (IRCPA).
In the second half of the evening, on January 27, Mr. Ciufo will receive a coaching session with two of Canada 's most celebrated former opera singers – sopranos Clarice Carson and Lois McDonall . Both are board members of the IRCPA, an organization that helps performing artists turn their potential into a career. The experience will give concert-goers insight into the behind-the-scenes preparation that young performing artists must undertake in order to maximize the success of their goals.
Only 22, tenor Michael Ciufo has already appeared solo and in operatic and orchestral performances, inspired by participating in a concert in Rome 's Pantheon with his school band. His first album, Vieni Sul Mar – A Collection of Italian Songs was released in 2004 and has already sold over 2,000 copies. A second CD, launching in 2009, will feature his original songs. A gifted arranger as well, in 2007 he performed his own orchestral arrangements of Christmas repertoire with the York Symphony Orchestra.
Soprano Clarice Carson retired from performance in 1986 after many years with the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden ( London ), Lyric Opera of Chicago, La Fenice ( Venice ), the Montreal , Vancouver and Canadian Opera Companies, and many others in Europe , the U.S. and Latin America . The Montreal native was inducted in The Opera Hall of Fame at Place des Arts by L'Opéra de Montréal in 1998. For the past 22 years, Ms. Carson has lived in Toronto .
Soprano Lois McDonall enjoyed an operatic career spanning more than 40 years and three continents. While living in Vancouver , the Alberta native was discovered in the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions. She has sung for British Royalty, by an invitation to Buckingham Palace, and recorded rare operas and bel canto repertoire including works by Donizetti, Handel, Liszt, and Delius and Wagner's Ring Cycle for the BBC, Opera Rara and EMI. Ms. McDonall is committed to not just the development of the singers' voice, but also to the singers' complete preparation.
Both Lois McDonall and Clarice Carson share their vast stage experience through private consultations and mentoring singers from Canada and abroad.
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