News from the Wagner Society

For moreinformation:

Thomas Arthur (press)

Aurelius Fernandez at 301.907.2600 (general)

WASHINGTON, D.C., OCTOBER 16, 2007 -- The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C. is pleased to announce

The 15th Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart Emerging Singers Concert

7:30 PM, Thursday, November 1st at the German Embassy

Under the honorary patronage of His Excellency, Dr. Klaus Scharioth, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Wagner Society of Washington, D.C. will present the Fifteenth Emerging Singers Concert in the auditorium of the Germany Embassy at 4645 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington, on Thursday, November 1, 2007, at 7:30 P.M. A reception with the artists will follow.

The concert will consist of an all-Wagner program of solos and scenes from Tannhäuser, Tristan und Isolde, Parsifal and Die Walküre. The works will be performed by four singers who have the potential for careers singing Wagner’s music. The world-famous opera star and teacher Evelyn Lear selected and coached these singers, together with John Edward Niles, Director of the Opera Theater of Northern Virginia. Featured will be four singers not heard before in these concerts: sopranos Julie Rowling and Valerie Bernhardt, tenor Corey Bix, and baritone Ryan Kinsella. The noted and expert Washington teacher and pianist, Betty Bullock, will accompany. The complete concert program will be posted at the Wagner Society’s web site at www.wagner-dc.org.

The Emerging Singers Program is in its eighth year of developing Wagnerian talent. It was started in 2000 by the Wagner Society together with Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart, her late husband. Its concerts are intended for public enjoyment and to provide singers with experience in the Wagner repertoire. Participating singers may receive further support from the Society to help advance their careers. A number of participants in the Emerging Singers Program have gone on to promising engagements, both in the United States and abroad. A Wagner Society publication called The Wagner Singer contains information about many of the participants and their career progress. It may be viewed at the Society’s website or requested from the Society.

Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart, two of the greatest singers of our times, had major careers that took them to all of the world’s important opera houses and festivals. Both won prestigious awards, including Grammy awards for their recordings. Thomas Stewart died suddenly in September of last year. Since then, the partnership they began with the Wagner Society lives in the singing of the participants of the Emerging Singers Program.

Admission to the concert and reception will cost $25 for Wagner Society members and $35 for others. Reservations are required and are limited to 200 people. Society membership information and reservations for the concert and reception are available by calling the Society at 301.907.2600 and at the Society’s web page. Plenty of street parking is available outside the embassy on Reservoir Road.

The Wagner Society of Washington, D. C. is a private, non-profit organization for the study and enjoyment of Wagner’s art. The Wagner Society also aims to have a significant role in the development of vocal talent sufficient for singing Wagner’s music. It welcomes new members and contributions throughout the year. Membership forms are available at the following addresses.

The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.

P.O. Box 58213 ■ Washington, D.C. 20037 ■ Telephone 301.907.2600 ■ Facsimile 301.907.8671