Monday, January 23, 2017

John Malveaux: Long Beach Opera: Henry Purcell's THE FAIRY QUEEN with Soprano Kimberly E. Jones, Bass-Baritone Cedric Berry, Counter Tenor Darryl Taylor Jan. 28

Kimberly E. Jones
Tanya, The Fairy Queen
Soprano Kimberly Eileen Jones is an alum of the Ryan Opera Center with the prestigious Lyric Opera of Chicago. Her performances there include the slave girl, Margru, in the world premiere of Anthony Davis' Amistad, which was released nationally on the New World recording label. She also portrayed the feisty Olga in Fedora, Princess Xenia in Boris Godunov, and the spitfire Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte student matinee performances. With the Ryan Opera Center, she portrayed Laetitia in Menotti's Old Maid and the Thief. Kimberly performed in Houston Grand Opera's colorful production of the Magic Flute (Papagena), and reprised her role of Xenia in Boris Godunov. Also with Houston, she participated in their production of Porgy and Bess, as Clara. This tour graced the international stages of La Scala in Milan, the Bastille in Paris, and the Bunkamura in Tokyo, Japan. For her portrayal of Clara, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress by the NAACP Awards. Kimberly is on the voice faculty at Columbia College and Merit School of Music. 

Cedric Berry
Ron
CEDRIC BERRY, Award winning Bass Baritone whose experience spans Opera, Broadway, American Song Book, jazz and gospel. He has performed with Los Angeles Opera, The Industry Opera, Long Beach Opera, Savonlinna Opera Festival of Finnland, Banlieurs Bleues Festival of France and the Ravinia Music Festival, to name a few. He has appeared with Pacific Symphony, Arizona Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony, Luckman Jazz orchestra, Pasadena Pops Orchestra, California Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Telemann Chamber Orchestra of Japan. He has also been the recipient of several awards including first place in the Metropolitan Opera Western Region Competition.  Notable recent engagements include the lead role of Kublai Khan in Invisible Cities, an opera which was a Pulitzer Prize Finalist.  For more information visit www.cedricberry.com.

Darryl Taylor
Herman
Darryl Taylor's performances have been noted for their compelling artistry and authority. His is an international career highlighted by performances of art song, opera and oratorio. Recent performance highlights include singing the title role in Phillip Glass' Akhnaten for Long Beach Opera; L.A. Opera’s groundbreaking production of Dido and Aeneas; Pergolesi and Vivaldi Stabat Mater with Lyra Baroque Orchestra of St. Paul, Minnesota; performances with the Carmel Bach Festival; the Bach Collegium San Diego under Richard Egarr, and performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Founder of the African American Art Song Alliance, his recordings on Naxos and Albany record labels have received lavish praise. Complete Solo Cantatas by Rosanna Scalfi Marcello was a Critic's Choice for Opera News this year. www.darryltaylor.com

John Malveaux of 
writes:

Recommended THE FAIRY QUEEN with soprano Kimberly E. Jones, Bass-Baritone Cedric Berry, Counter Tenor Darryl Taylor 
https://www.longbeachopera.org/2017-season/fairy-queen#cast
Synopsis. Ron and Tanya, known to some as Oberon and Titania, are preparing to throw a party to celebrate Ron’s birthday at Club Fairy Queen in sultry Las Vegas.

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