2004 April | May | August | September | October | November | December 2005 January | February | March | April | May | August | September | October | December 2006 January | February | May | October | November 2007 January | February | March | April | May | June | September | October | November | December | 2008 January | February | March | April Back to What's New Table of Contents May 2005 MidAmerica Productions presents its final two concerts in the 2004-2005 season at Carnegie Hall with outstand choruses, ensembles and conductors MidAmerica Productions presents the Fidelis String Quartet with special guests Ilgin Aka and Cristian Macelaru at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall MidAmerica Productions presents Metropolitan Opera Orchestra percussionist Greg Zuber in performance with pianist Linda Hall MidAmerica Productions presents the Fidelis String Quartet with special guests Ilgin Aka and Cristian Macelaru at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall MidAmerica Productions presents a remarkable concert, June 13th showcasing outstanding works, choruses and conductors MidAmerica Productions presents three concerts on June 12 and 13th showcasing outstanding ensembles, choruses and conductors MidAmerica Productions presents Artistic Director and General Director Peter Tiboris in a unique concert bringing together the Manhattan Philharmonic with special guests Jennifer Larmore and Lukas Foss For Immediate Release May 27, 2005 New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents its final two concerts in the 2004-2005 season at Carnegie Hall with outstand choruses, ensembles and conductors. Sunday, June 26, 2:00 PM New England Symphonic Ensemble David White, Conductor Thompson: Place of the Blest Rene Clausen: Garden of Beauty Participating choruses: The Atlanta Boy Choir, Atlanta, GA; Newark Boys Chorus, Newark, NJ; Chattanooga Boys Choir, Chattanooga, TN Rod Walker, Conductor Copland: Old American Songs (Set I and Set II) and "Stomp Your Foot" from The Tender Land Participating choruses: DeSoto High School Chorale, DeSoto, KS; Junction City Community Choir, Junction City, KS; K-State Chorus, Manhattan, KS; Wamego High School Choir, Wamego, KS; Lincoln Christian School Singers, Lincoln, NE; McCook Community College "Sound Investment," McCook, NE; Chattanooga Boys Choir Cantabile, Chattanooga, TN; Chancel Choir, Broadus Memorial Baptist Church, Charlottesville, VA Ensemble Spotlight Series Porterville Combined High School Orchestra, Porterville, CA Michael Allard, Conductor Works by Copland, Albinoni, Holst, Hovhannes, Grainger and Alfred Reed. *** Monday, June 27, 8:00 PM New England Symphonic Ensemble Donald Neuen, Conductor Handel: Messiah (Parts II and III) Participating choruses: Foster City Community Chorus, Foster City, CA; Heart and Soul, Foster City, CA; Chorale and Choraliers of the Sacramento Children's Chorus, Sacramento, CA; Ledyard High School Festival Chorus, Ledyard, CT; Christ Church Choir, Jacksonville, FL; St. John's United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, Albuquerque, NM; Central Bucks High School West Choir, Doylestown, PA Terry Danne, Conductor John Rutter: Requiem Participating choruses: San Fernando Valley Master Chorale, Chatsworth, CA; The Middletown City Chorale, Middletown, NY Soloists: Julie Ness, soprano, Mary Ann Stewart, mezzo-soprano, Sean Fallen, tenor, Ethan Herschenfeld, bass Prelude Concert, 7:00 pm Peninsula Musical Arts Association, Foster City, CA Gary Gober, Conductor Brandon Campanile, Soloist Karen Trydahl, Accompanist Works by Beethoven, Marcos Leite, Michael Larkin, Hogan and Joseph Martin *** Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse, artistic director and principal conductor of the New England Symphonic Ensemble, is a violinist, pianist, composer, and conductor. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Boston University, and the Peabody Conservatory, Dr. Rittenhouse has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Africa, and the West Indies. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the London Associate Board Overseas Award, the New York Concert Artists Guild Award, the International Music Guild Award, and the New York Madrigal Society Award. New England Symphonic Ensemble was organized more than two decades ago by Dr. Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse. Since 1982 the ensemble has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, Russia, and Israel, and has performed frequently at Carnegie Hall under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions. Over the past 20 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 770 concerts worldwide and more than 640 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. More than 2115 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have 75 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 620 solo artists, and 88,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall. In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres. For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or kdrohan@midamerica-music.com For Immediate Release May 3, 2005 New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents the Chiara String Quartet and pianist Simone Dinnerstein in concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall Sunday, June 5, 8:30 p.m. Astral Artists: Chiara String Quartet and Simone Dinnerstein, piano Rebecca Fischer, violin Julie Yoon, violin Jonah Sirota, viola Gregory Beaver, cello Beethoven: String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3 ("Razumovsky") Rochberg: Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44 General admission tickets to Weill Recital Hall concerts are $35. Tickets may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, by going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at 57th Street and 7th Avenue. $15 tickets for students and seniors (with proper ID) are available at the Carnegie Box Office. Weill Recital Hall is located at 154 West 57th Street. For more information, call MidAmerica Productions at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com. *** Recipient of the Lisa Arnhold residency at The Juilliard School, the Chiara String Quartet (Rebecca Fischer and Julie Yoon, violins; Jonah Sirota, viola; and Greg Beaver, cello) is at the forefront of a new generation of exceptional American string quartets. Praised for its "utmost commitment and ardor," and for how "sympathy between the members of the ensemble creates an intimate electricity," the group's recent accomplishments include winning first prize at the 2002 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and completing a highly successful two-year Chamber Music America Rural Residency in Grand Forks, North Dakota. For the past three years, the Chiaras have written a monthly column for The Strad magazine, chronicling the life of a young string quartet. In 2002, the quartet also won the Astral Artistic Services' National Auditions, placing them on the Astral roster of outstanding young artists on the brink of launching major professional careers. Chiara [key-ARE-uh] is an Italian word, meaning clear, pure, or light. American pianist Simone Dinnerstein has been called "remarkably musicianly" by Emanuel Ax and "a real artist" by Peter Serkin. A charismatic and commanding performer of both the solo and chamber music repertoire, she has been noted for her warm and varied tone and for her unusual and compelling interpretations. She is a year 2000 winner of Astral Artistic Services' National Auditions and joined its artist roster that year. Astral presented her Philadelphia recital debut as well as her Philadelphia concerto debut in Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The Philadelphia Inquirer called her "remarkable," noting her "gorgeous blend of power and finesse." She has performed extensively throughout the U.S., including several recital performances at New York City's 92nd Street Y, and concerto and chamber music performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. Upcoming concerts include performances of the Goldberg Variations in both Mexico City and Cuernavaca and recitals at the Bard and Mt. Gretna music festivals. Since 1989, MidAmerica Productions has produced 220 chamber concerts in Weill Recital Hall, presenting some of the most exciting chamber musicians working today. For more information about this concert or MidAmerica Productions contact Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or visit www.midamerica-music.com. For Immediate Release May 4, 2005 New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents Metropolitan Opera Orchestra percussionist Greg Zuber in performance with pianist Linda Hall June 7, 2005 Mallet Masterworks: MET Percussionist Greg Zuber in Concert with Pianist Linda Hall With guest artists: Patricia Zuber, flute Lino Gomez, tenor saxophone Scott Kuney, guitar John Psathas: Spike for piano, vibraphone, and marimba Charles Wuorinen: Percussion Duo for piano, vibraphone, and marimba Takemitsu: Towards the Sea for alto flute and marimba Arvo Pärt: Fratres (arr. Zuber) for marimba, crotales, and piano Jacob Druckman: Reflections for marimba Louis Andriessen: Hout for piano, marimba, tenor saxophone, and guitar General admission tickets to Weill Recital Hall concerts are $35. Tickets may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, by going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at 57th Street and 7th Avenue. $15 tickets for students and seniors (with proper ID) are available at the Carnegie Box Office. Weill Recital Hall is located at 154 West 57th Street. For more information, call MidAmerica Productions at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com. *** Greg Zuber is principal percussionist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and with its alter identities, the MET Orchestra and MET Chamber Ensemble. Prior to that he was principal percussionist with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. He can be heard on weekly international radio broadcasts, "Live From the Metropolitan Opera," as well as television broadcasts, and on many CD recordings and DVD and laser discs with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and MET Orchestra on the Sony, Deutsche Grammophon, and EMI recording labels. With the orchestra, he has toured throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. Mr. Zuber is an active soloist, recitalist, composer, and clinician, and performs regularly with Percussionists of the Met and his wife, flutist Patricia Zuber. He is a faculty member of The Juilliard School and the UBS Verbier Music Festival in Switzerland. In October of 2002 he premiered Legend composed for him by Hsueh-Yung Shen, for solo percussionist and orchestra at Carnegie Hall with James Levine and the MET Orchestra. Pianist Linda Hall is an assistant conductor at The Metropolitan Opera. Her responsibilities for the current season include the musical preparation of Verdi's Nabucco, Puccini's Tosca, and the new production of Mozart's Die Zauberflote. This is Ms. Hall's fifteenth season with the Metropolitan. As a member of the music staff, she has been responsible for preparing works including twentieth-century composers such as Schoenberg, Berg, Strauss, Britten, Corigliano, Harbison, and Bolcom. She has also performed as pianist with the Met Orchestra in operas and symphonic programs. Ms. Hall frequently performs on the intermission features of the Saturday afternoon live radio broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera. She also collaborates with many singers and instrumentalists in concerts throughout the United States and abroad, and teaches at the Israeli Vocal Arts Institute during the summer. She received degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory and The Juilliard School, and pursued advanced studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Ms. Hall is a native of upstate New York. Flutist Patricia Zuber performs with many orchestras in the New York City area including the American Symphony Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera, having appeared with the MET at Carnegie Hall as well as on tour in Japan. She also performs regularly on Broadway and is piccoloist with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, with whom she has appeared as a concerto soloist. Ms. Zuber regularly performs recitals and in chamber music. During the summer of 2004 was on the faculty of The Chamber Music Conference and Composers' Forum of the East at Bennington College, VT where she performed and coached chamber music ensembles. She studied flute with Murray Panitz of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Alexander Murray of the London Symphony Orchestra. Lino Gomez, tenor saxophone, is native of Cuba and has resided in the USA since 1967. He received his musical education at The University of Miami School of Music. Mr. Gomez has been a frequent guest of the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, American Symphony, New York City Ballet, New York City Opera, New York Pops, American Composers, Brooklyn Philharmonic, and New Jersey Symphony orchestras and is a current member of EOS Orchestra. He was soloist with the New York Philharmonic in Eino Tanberg's Concerto Grosso, and with the American Composers Orchestra in the USA premier of Tan Dun's multimedia work Red Forecast. Mr. Gomez has been a member of the orchestras for several Broadway hit musicals and is a former member of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" band. His chamber music credits include performances with the Boston Symphony Chamber Players at Tanglewood and recordings with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, he is a former member of the American Saxophone Quartet. Scott Kuney, guitar, is among the busiest freelance concert guitarists/banjoists/mandolinists in New York. He is especially proud of his 25-year association with the New York Philharmonic, and he also plays regularly with the Metropolitan Opera, the Orchestra of St. Luke's, the New York City Opera, the New York City Ballet, the American Symphony Orchestra and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. He has appeared with the Orpheus Ensemble, the Philadelphia Orchestra and at the White House with the Eos Ensemble. He has been a featured soloist with the "Y" Chamber Symphony, the Little Orchestra Society and the Caramoor Festival, among others, and last summer he toured Europe with the Bang on a Can All-Stars and performed at both the Tanglewood and Bard music festivals. Kuney has played on more than 100 recordings, including Mahler and West Side Story with Leonard Bernstein, and with such artists as Dawn Upshaw, Placido Domingo, Marilyn Horne and Kiri Te Kanawa. In the popular field, he has worked with such diverse talents has Harry Belafonte, Barbara Streisand, 10,000 Maniacs and Mandy Patinkin. He has also played on countless film scores and television commercials, including the soundtracks of Kramer vs. Kramer and Beauty and the Beast. Kuney is also a composer who has written for HBO, Cinemax and the PBS program, "American Playhouse." Since 1989, MidAmerica Productions has produced 220 chamber concerts in Weill Recital Hall, presenting some of the most exciting chamber musicians working today. For more information about this concert or MidAmerica Productions contact Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or visit www.midamerica-music.com. For Immediate Release May 20, 2005 New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents the Fidelis String Quartet with special guests Ilgin Aka and Cristian Macelaru at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall Sunday, June 12, at 8:30 PM Fidelis String Quartet with guest pianist Ilgin Aka Rodica Oancea-Weber, violin Mihaela Oancea-Frusina, violin Wei Jiang, viola Jeffrey Butler, cello Schubert: String Quartet in D Minor, D. 810 ("Death and the Maiden") Dvorák: Quintet for piano, two violins, viola and cello in A Major, Op. 81 featuring Cristian Macelaru, violin General admission tickets to Weill Recital Hall concerts are $35. Tickets may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, by going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at 57th Street and 7th Avenue. $15 tickets for students and seniors (with proper ID) are available at the Carnegie Box Office. Weill Recital Hall is located at 154 West 57th Street. For more information, call MidAmerica Productions at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com. *** The Fidelis Quartet is one of Houston's premier chamber music ensembles, comprised of four Houston Symphony musicians with a keen interest in the quartet repertoire. Initially formed in 1997 to perform at Symphony functions, its scope of activities has since expanded to include community outreach presentations, recitals, and televised performances. They have performed for Texas Governor Rick Perry and his Royal Highness, the Aga Khan, among others. This concert marks their New York debut. Born in Bucharest, Romania, violinist Rodica Oancea-Weber has performed extensively as recitalist and in chamber ensembles in Romania, Italy, Canada, Mexico and the United States. She is currently a member of the first violin section of the Houston Symphony, violinist of the Tre Voci Trio, and an Affiliate Artist teaching violin at Houston Baptist University. In March 2002, Ms. Oancea-Weber and colleague John Hendrickson performed their debut recital at Carnegie Hall in New York, returning in 2003 with Tre Voci and in May 2004 with pianist Ilgin Aka. Of her playing, Atencion san Miguel wrote: "Weber... uses the most delicate and articulate phrasing in her playing, yet her capriciousness at times yields the exciting singing strings that audiences revere... her playing shows a polished and confident style." Violinist Mihaela Oancea-Frusina was born in Bucharest, Romania and is currently a member of the Houston Symphony and has been teaching privately for the past 15 years. She has performed extensively as a recitalist and chamber player throughout Romania, Italy, Mexico, and the United States. She has also appeared as soloist with the Houston Symphony and Bucharest Philharmonic. In collaboration with other members of the Houston Symphony Orchestra she has formed Fidelis Quartet and performed numerous recitals around the Houston area for the past 8 years. She has instructed master classes in the Klein school district, both at the middle school level and high school level and has prepared many students for regional and state competitions, in solo and orchestra performance. Born in China, violist Wei Jiang began studying violin at the age of 5 with his Father and studied viola after being admitted to the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. He graduated with highest honors from the Conservatory and subsequently was offered a teaching position there as the youngest member of the music faculty. During his 5-year tenure at the Central Conservatory, Mr. Jiang was involved in performing both solo and chamber music, touring extensively with his string quartet in Asia and Europe. He was also a founding member of the Eclipse Ensemble, a unique group performing throughout China, showcasing music by contemporary Chinese composers. Mr. Jiang came to the U.S. in 1996 to further his musical training at the Oberlin Conservatory and later at the University of Maryland. In 1999, he became a member of the Houston Symphony. Jeffrey Butler has been a cellist in the Houston Symphony since 1986. Mr. Butler has served on the faculty of the Stetson University School of Music, where he was a founding member of the Stetson Trio, and also performed with the Detroit Symphony. He rejoined the DSO during their acclaimed 1998 European tour. Mr. Butler has had extensive experience as a chamber musician with performances throughout this country, Switzerland, France, Greece, and Puerto Rico. He was an original member of the Boston Composer's Quartet, and now performs frequently in Houston with Tre Voci and the Fidelis String Quartet. Last season he and Rodica Oancea-Weber appeared as soloists in the Brahms Double Concerto with the Galveston Symphony. Violinist Cristian Macelaru started studying music at the age of six in his native Romania. After winning top prizes in the National Music Olympiad (1994, 1996, 1997), Macelaru was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. While there, Macelaru was concertmaster of both the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Arts Academy Symphony Orchestra. He completed his Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance at University of Miami where he also studied conducting and composition, as well as being the concertmaster of Miami Symphony Orchestra. Previous engagements include concerts and recitals in the US, Romania, China and France, as well as appearances at Tanglewood Music Center, New York String Seminar and Interlochen Arts Camp. He is currently pursuing a master of music degree at Rice University. Ilgin Aka, a native of Turkey, was awarded an Austrian Government Grant in 1990, and studied at the Summer Academy in Salzburg. As the recipient of a British Council Grant, she went to London in 1992 to further her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The next year, she became the second musician to be awarded the Fulbright Grant in Turkey. This led her to New York where she completed her master's degree at The Juilliard School. Ms. Aka continued her studies at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University where she completed her doctorate of musical arts degree in piano performance. Her numerous awards also include the Peabody Graduate Award, the Peabody Career Grant and ATAA (American Turkish Association) Arts Recognition Award. She has been a semi-finalist at both the Young Artists International Competition and the Concert Artists Guild Competition. Ms. Aka has been performing in the United States and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician. She is also adjunct faculty at the Houston Baptist University. She has appeared as a guest artist on the Voice of America Showcase, Turkish National Radio, Turkish Television 3, Romanian TV and KUHF. Since 1989, MidAmerica Productions has produced 220 chamber concerts in Weill Recital Hall, presenting some of the most exciting chamber musicians working today. For more information about this concert or MidAmerica Productions contact Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or visit www.midamerica-music.com. For Immediate Release May 9, 2005 For Immediate Release May 10, 2005 New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents a remarkable concert, June 13th showcasing outstanding works, choruses and conductors. Monday, June 13, 8:00 PM New England Symphonic Ensemble Jonathan Griffith, Conductor Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace (excerpts) Participating choruses: University of Calgary Coro Giusto, Calgary, Alberta, CANADA; Green County Tech Chamber Singers, Paragould, AR; Sarah Ford Singers, Burbank, CA; Eagle Rock High School Chamber Singers, Los Angeles, CA; United Church Choir of Rowayton, Rowayton, CT; Canterbury Choral Society, Oklahoma City, OK; Pacific University Chamber Singers, Forest Grove, OR; St. Michael's Singers, Portland, OR; Grace Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, Houston, TX; Houston Children's Chorus, Houston, TX Barry Epperley, Conductor Mozart: Mass in C Major, K. 317 ("Coronation") Participating choruses: Bartlesville Choral Society, Bartlesville, OK; Bartlesville High School Choirs, Bartlesville, OK; Bartlesville Mid-High School Choir, Bartlesville, OK; Tulsa Chorus, Tulsa, OK Ronnie Sanders, Conductor Fauré: Requiem Participating choruses: Cappella Cantorum, Old Saybrook, CT; Savannah Arts Academy Chorale, Savannah, GA; Crystal Coast Choral Society, Jacksonville, NC; Scarsdale High School Chamber Choir, Scarsdale, NY; The Corpus Christi Chorale, Corpus Christi, TX; Sanctuary Choir of First United Methodist Church, Rowlett, TX Soloists: Lisa Houben, soprano, Kristina Martin, mezzo-soprano, Coke Morgan, tenor, Brian Kontes, bass-baritone *** Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse, artistic director and principal conductor of the New England Symphonic Ensemble, is a violinist, pianist, composer, and conductor. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Boston University, and the Peabody Conservatory, Dr. Rittenhouse has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Africa, and the West Indies. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the London Associate Board Overseas Award, the New York Concert Artists Guild Award, the International Music Guild Award, and the New York Madrigal Society Award. New England Symphonic Ensemble was organized more than two decades ago by Dr. Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse. Since 1982 the ensemble has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, Russia, and Israel, and has performed frequently at Carnegie Hall under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions. Over the past 20 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 770 concerts worldwide and more than 640 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. More than 2115 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have 75 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 620 solo artists, and 88,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall. In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres. For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or kdrohan@midamerica-music.com *** For Immediate Release May 10, 2005 New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents three concerts on June 12 and 13th showcasing outstanding ensembles, choruses and conductors. Sunday, June 12, 2:00 PM New England Symphonic Ensemble Almeda Berkey, Conductor Jackson Berkey: An American Journey Featuring choruses from California, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Washington James Haygood, Conductor Robert Paul Baker: Requiem of Psalms Featuring choruses from Louisiana John Massaro, Conductor Mozart: Requiem, K. 626 Featuring choruses from Arizona, Florida and New York Soloists: Simona Bertini, soprano, Natalie Havemeyer, mezzo-soprano, Todd Geer, tenor, Valentin Vasiliu, bass-baritone *** Sunday, June 12, 8:00 PM Ensemble Spotlight Series Akron Youth Symphony, Akron, OH Matthew Kraemer, Conductor Granados: Danzas Espanolas, Saint-Saens: Danse Bacchanale, De Falla: Three Cornered Hat, Suite No. 1, Albeniz: Espana Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Atlanta, GA Scott Stewart, Conductor Ron Nelson: Rocky Point Holiday, Copland: Emblems, Grainger: Colonial Song, Eric Cook: Bolivar, Frank Ticheli: Apollo Unleashed Youth Performing Arts School Philharmonia, Louisville, KY Lyndon Lawless, Conductor Beethoven: Prometheus Overture, Piazzolla: Tango, Copland: Appalachian Spring *** Monday, June 13, 8:00 PM New England Symphonic Ensemble Jonathan Griffith, Conductor Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace Featuring choruses from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas Barry Epperley, Conductor Mozart: Mass in C Major, K. 317 ("Coronation") Featuring choruses from Oklahoma Ronnie Sanders, Conductor Fauré: Requiem Featuring choruses from Connecticut, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, and Texas Soloists: Lisa Houben, soprano, Kristina Martin, mezzo-soprano, Coke Morgan, tenor, Brian Kontes, bass-baritone *** Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse, artistic director and principal conductor of the New England Symphonic Ensemble, is a violinist, pianist, composer, and conductor. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Boston University, and the Peabody Conservatory, Dr. Rittenhouse has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Africa, and the West Indies. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the London Associate Board Overseas Award, the New York Concert Artists Guild Award, the International Music Guild Award, and the New York Madrigal Society Award. New England Symphonic Ensemble was organized more than two decades ago by Dr. Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse. Since 1982 the ensemble has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, Russia, and Israel, and has performed frequently at Carnegie Hall under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions. Over the past 20 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 770 concerts worldwide and more than 640 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. More than 2115 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have 75 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 620 solo artists, and 88,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall. In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres. For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or kdrohan@midamerica-music.com *** For Immediate Release New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents Artistic Director and General Director Peter Tiboris in a unique concert bringing together the Manhattan Philharmonic with special guests Jennifer Larmore and Lukas Foss. Says Tiboris, "I am delighted to be able to perform with these outstanding artists. Maestro Foss has been a MidAmerica collaborator and friend for many years. Ms. Larmore is one of the most sought-after performers working today. It is a thrill to be working with the two of them on one performance." Saturday, June 11, 7:30 PM Manhattan Philharmonic Peter Tiboris, Conductor Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major ("Eroica"), Op. 55 Berlioz: La Mort de Cléopâtre "Scene Lyrique" featuring Jennifer Larmore, Mezzo-soprano Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K. 453 featuring Lukas Foss, piano Tickets, at $85, 50, 35, may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at West 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in NYC. For more information, call our Box Office at (212) 239-4699 or visit our web site at www.midamerica-music.com. *** Peter Tiboris, General Director and Artistic Director of MidAmerica Productions, has made an indelible mark on the world's musical community, in two separate and highly successful careers. He has conducted great masterworks and contemporary classics at top venues throughout the world. Additionally, he has presented thousands of musicians with the opportunity to perform on New York's finest stages, especially at Carnegie Hall's Isaac Stern Auditorium and Weill Recital Hall. Mr. Tiboris has added several different endeavors to the MidAmerica umbrella, including Elysium Recordings, Inc., a CD label and the Festival of the Aegean in Greece. As a conductor, he has led more than 150 concerts in New York, Washington, New Jersey, Vienna, London, Prague, Athens, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Warsaw, and throughout Poland, including 40 performances in Carnegie Hall. He made his Italian conducting debut on May 1 and 2, 2005 leading the Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina (Chamber Orchestra of Florence) in works by Mendelssohn, Bocherinni and Rossini at the Chiesa di Orsanmichele. He has led the Royal Philharmonic and Philharmonia (London), the Hannover Staatsorchester (Germany); Radio and Television Orchestra of Moscow; the Prague Philharmonic (Czech Republic); the Warsaw Philharmonic (Poland); Société Philharmonique de Montréal (Canada); and the American Symphony Orchestra (New York City). His numerous New York premieres have included works by Beethoven, Bruckner, Dello Joio, Dohnány, Glass, Mascagni, Mozart, Nielson, Schnittke, Schubert, Tchaikovsky and Verdi. In June 2000, he led the U.S. Premiere of a concert version of Mikis Theodorakis' Electra with the Manhattan Philharmonic. In June 2001, Mr. Tiboris conducted the U.S. premiere of Theodorakis' Rhapsody for Cello also in Carnegie Hall; in June 2003, he led the New York premiere of Rossini's Ermione (concert version) with the Manhattan Philharmonic, soprano Irini Tsirakidis, and an elite cast of performers including Bruce Ford, Barry Banks, and Victoria Livengood.; and on June 16, 2004, Mr. Tiboris led the United States premiere of Sergey Taneyev's opera Agamemnon in Carnegie Hall with the Manhattan Philharmonic with mezzo-soprano Nina Terentieva (Clytemnestra), bass Stefan Szkafarowsky (Agamemnon), soprano Angela Brown (Cassandra), baritone Peter Castaldi (Aegisthus), bass Mark Risinger (Watchman),. The performance also featured Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis (Clytemnestra) and Louis Zorich (Agamemnon) in the selected speaking roles of a translation by P.W. Meineck; members of the Aquila Theatre Company. More than a dozen of Mr. Tiboris' musical interpretations have been preserved on disc, including several recordings for Elysium Recordings, Inc., a label he founded in 1995. Mr. Tiboris received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his doctorate from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. American opera star, the mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore, is a highly acclaimed performer in all of the prestigious opera houses and concert halls throughout the world thanks to her beautiful voice, excellent technique and natural contact with the audience. Her range of roles, many of which she has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, is truly varied. This versatile mezzo-soprano is considered to be one of the foremost interpreters of Rossini in the world. Her performance at the closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta was heard by an audience of over two billion viewers. She has received a number of prestigious awards and her discography contains over 60 recordings. The Gramophone Award winning Giulio Cesare is widely considered as one of the finest interpretations of that role ever performed. Lukas Foss, pianist, is a unique figure in American music, representing an extraordinary legacy as conductor, composer, pianist, and pedagogue. He has conducted all of the most celebrated orchestras in the world, including the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic, Leningrad Symphony, London Symphony Orchestra, Santa Cecilia Orchestra of Rome, and Tokyo Philharmonic. As music director of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic and the Jerusalem Symphony, Foss has been an effective champion of living composers and has brought new life and interpretations to the standard repertoire. Mr. Foss has recorded Foss Plays Bach (GRK 717) and Foss Plays Mozart (GRK 723), both under the Elysium Recordings label. Recently the New York Philharmonic dedicated a week of concerts to Foss's work, saluting his contributions to American music. He has held the position of composer-in-residence at Harvard University, Carnegie Mellon University, Yale University, Manhattan School of Music, UCLA, Boston University, the Tanglewood Institute, and in 1986, delivered the Mellon Lectures at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. He is the recipient of 15 honorary doctorates, a Guggenheim Fellowship, Fulbright Fellowship, the Prix de Rome, three New York Critics Circle Awards, and is a member of The American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. Over the past 20 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 750 concerts worldwide and more than 625 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. More than 2115 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New York, as have 75 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 620 solo artists, and 88,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall. In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres. For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or kdrohan@midamerica-music.com *** Back to top  Back to What's New Table of Contents  Who We Are | Carnegie Hall | Weill Recital Hall Peter Tiboris Conducting Schedule Festival of the Aegean | Elysium Recordings, Inc. Press | Contact Us | Related Links | Site Map | Home
MidAmerica Productions, Inc. • 132 West 36th Street, Fourth Floor• New York, NY 10018 • 212.239.0205