Mikael Eliasen (left), Danielle Orlando (second from left), and Eric Owens (center) with students and alumni of the Curtis Vocal Department.
Curtis Institute of Music
May 10, 2018
New Artistic Team to lead the Curtis Institute of Music Vocal Studies Department beginning in the 2019–20 Season
PHILADELPHIA—May 10, 2018—The Curtis Institute of Music
announces a new artistic leadership team to guide the Curtis Vocal
Studies Department and Curtis Opera Theatre. Eric Owens and Danielle
Orlando will lead the department beginning in the 2019–20 season. They
will build upon Mikael Eliasen’s remarkable legacy as head of the Curtis
voice and opera program for over 30 years, in that time producing many
celebrated performers including Mr. Owens.
“We’re fortunate to have two artists with such deep expertise
and tremendous professional experience to continue Mikael’s legacy and
guide the Curtis Opera Theatre into the future,” said Curtis President
Roberto Díaz. “Eric comes to Curtis at the height of his career, and
brings not only vast onstage experience, but also a commitment to
community engagement and musical advocacy that perfectly aligns with the
school’s mission to engage audiences locally and globally. Danielle has
collaborated with some of the most prominent opera singers of this
generation, including Luciano Pavarotti and Plácido Domingo, among
others. And as our Principal Opera Coach and Mikael’s colleague since
1986, she has tremendous depth of experience and institutional
knowledge.”
The 2018–19 season will be a year of transition and
celebration, as Mikael Eliasen brings his distinguished tenure as
Artistic Director of the Curtis Opera Theatre and the Hirsig Family
Chair of Vocal Studies to a close. As planning begins for the following
year, Mr. Owens and Ms. Orlando will jointly hear auditions and be
responsible for artistic and educational oversight of the 2019–20
season.
A 1995 Curtis graduate, bass-baritone Eric Owens
appears frequently with the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago,
Washington National Opera, and Houston Grand Opera, among many opera
houses and orchestras. His broad performance experience spans music of
all eras, from the Baroque to new works being written today, and he
maintains an active concert career alongside his opera performances. He
will continue to perform actively after joining the Curtis faculty and
hopes to add appearances with Curtis on Tour along with opportunities to
involve students in his concert work.
“Working with young people is something that is incredibly
close to my heart,” said Mr. Owens, who has also mentored young singers
in programs at the Glimmerglass Festival and the Washington National
Opera. “I find myself so fulfilled by giving back and being able to
share my knowledge and experience as a performer. Coming back to
Curtis—with its amazing, nurturing environment and its illustrious and
storied history—is just a dream come true.”
Mr. Owens will return to Philadelphia, where he has family
roots, joining fellow Curtis faculty members Midori and Jonathan Biss in
making the city his home. “I’m looking forward to being a part of the
musical life of Philadelphia, and working with the voice and opera
students as they share music with the community through outreach
activities as well as performances,” Mr. Owens said. “It’s important to
train not just great performers but advocates who have the tools to
share music with others.”
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