Alliance for the Arts Announces Chosen Artists for 38th All Florida Exhibition
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  The Gulf Coast Symphony presents the awe-inspiring Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, performed in collaboration with the renowned Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers. Also on the program is Winter Moons, a work by the Chickasaw classical composer, Jerod Tate. February 17 | 7:30pm & February 18 | 3:00pm Music & Arts Community Center 13411 Shire Ln, Fort Myers SATURDAY TICKETS SUNDAY TICKETS About the Program: Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass The grandeur and magnificence of Joseph Haydn’s master- work, the Lord Nelson Mass is a stirring choral piece, considered one of his greatest works. The Lord Nelson Mass is a testament to Haydn’s brilliance as a composer and showcases a powerful blend of orchestra and voices. Winter Moons is a ballet based upon American Indian legends from the Northern Plains and Rocky Mountains. It is in four movements and is performed with a live storyteller to guide the audience though each legend. The title is derived from the idea that American Indian stories are best told during the full moons of the wintertime. February 17 | 7:30pm & February 18 | 3:00pm Music & Arts Community Center 13411 Shire Ln, Fort Myers SATURDAY TICKETS SUNDAY TICKETS MORE INFO Meet our Soloists Penelope Shumate In her performance career, Penelope Shumate has been described as having a “voice with power” and a “welcome fire” on stage. The New York Times praised her recent performance as the Soprano Soloist in Messiah for her David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher Hall) debut at Lincoln Center, stating she “sang the soprano solos with appealing bell-like clarity and surpassing sweetness.” For her return to David Geffen Hall, she performed as a soloist in Carmina Burana; a work that also marked her Carnegie Hall debut and return engagements. Additional Carnegie Hall soloist appearances include perform- ances in Messiah, St. Nicolai Mass, Coronation Mass, Requiem (Verdi and Mozart), and Stabat Mater (Mealor). Also in New York City, she performed the title role in Naughty Marietta in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Holly Sorensen Often hailed as a true Mezzo Soprano, Holly Sorensen is known for her rich, colorful, and expressive timbre. A gifted singing actor with great versatility, Ms. Sorensen was described as having, “a grand time!….dispensing attitude with relish and producing some impressively chilling tones” – Opera News. Most recently, The Tampa Bay Daily Loaf wrote,” a creamy mezzo that soars lusciously and is breathtaking in her cruelty”, following her debut as Dalila in Samson et Dalila with St. Ptersburg Opera. Ms. Sorensen performs a wide variety of repertoire, ranging from dramatic leading mezzo roles, to comic Rossini. Some of her other stage credits include, the title role in Carmen, The Mother – Hansel and Gretel, Suzuki – Madame Butterfly, La Prima Donna – Salieri’s Prima la Musica poi le Parole, Pitti Sing – The Mikado, The Secretary – The Consul, Sorceress – Dido and Aeneas , Prince Orlofsky – Die Fledermaus, The Princess Aunt – Suor Angelica, and Giovanna – Rigoletto . Highlights from various scenes programs include Isabella – L’Italiana in Algeri, Augusta – Ballad of Baby Doe, Charlotte – Werther, Mallika – Lakme, Mrs. Lovett – Sweeney Todd, and Mrs.Grose – Turn of the Screw. Some of her operatic Performance venues include, Utah Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Bronx Opera, Utah Lyric Opera, Connecticut Grand Opera, Opera in the Ozarks, Ardamore Chamber Opera, Opera Company of Brooklyn, Dicapo Opera, Boston Classical Orchestra, and The Greenwich Pops Symphony Matthew Koller Matt Koller is the Artistic Director of the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers and the City of Palms Youth Choir. Choirs under his direction have performed several masterworks, world premieres, and have appeared in Carnegie Hall, Barbara B. Mann PAH, and other prestigious venues. He has conducted at Florida Gulf Coast University Opera, Gulfshore Opera, and Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. Matt is an adjunct professor of voice at Florida SouthWestern State College. Branch Fields Branch Fields, whom Opera America describes as “a bass of resonant richness” and The New York Times declared to be “a gifted young bass,” is delighting audiences and critics alike, whether it be in opera, concert or musical theater. A frequent guest of the Gulf Coast Symphony, Mr. Fields has sung many performances with the Symphony over the past two decades. MORE INFO The Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers is the premier choral ensemble in Southwest Florida. Since forming in 2001, the Mastersingers have grown from a small chorus to a 100-plus voice ensemble of men and women dedicated to excellence in music. We are a diverse group of vocal musicians who represent all walks of life with a shared love of singing and a commitment to our mission. LEARN MORE Watch Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass as performed by Yale Schola Cantorum, David Hill conductor. Two shows for you! Don’t wait! Get Your Tickets Today! February 17 | 7:30pm & February 18 | 3:00pm 239.277.1700 | GulfCoastSymphony.org  Follow us on Social Media:       |