Empire Opera: “Selections from 'The Mask in the Mirror', by Richard Thompson”; Byron Singleton as Paul Laurence Dunbar

[Photos from the top: Byron Singleton, Richard Thompson and Paul Laurence Dunbar]

In 2009 John Malveaux of MusicUNTOLD.com brought to our attention “The Mask in the Mirror”, an opera by Richard Thompson, a pianist and composer. Empire Opera is about to present excerpts from this work, with Byron Singleton, tenor, singing the role of Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Empire Opera

Sneak Preview

Empire Opera welcomes The Hudson Quartet and Richard Thompson for a showcase of excerpts from new works followed by a lavish reception with food and wine.

Friday, April 29, 8PM

Sunday, May 1, 4PM

349 West End Avenue, New York

All seats $25

“Selections from The Mask in the Mirror, by Richard Thompson. Based on the life of American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and his marriage to Alice Ruth Moore.”

Richard Thompson Bio

“Originally from Aberdeen, Scotland, pianist Richard Thompson made his debut at the Purcell Room in the Royal Festival Hall in London.” “A former faculty member of the Brooklyn Conservatory, Mr. Thompson is currently Assistant Professor of Music at San Diego State University where he teaches jazz piano, jazz performance and history. He earned his undergraduate degree in music at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, his Masters Degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a jazz diploma at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.”

Byron Singleton Bio

“Byron Singleton is becoming widely known for his 'powerful and compelling interpretations' of the romantic tenor repertoire. Said to be possessed of 'a brilliant, beautiful lyric tenor voice delivered with generous and unabashedly ardent lyricism', Mr. Singleton has performed in opera and concert in the United States and in Europe.”