Opera singer to delight Ilse Newell fans

Opera singer Maria Ferrante, performing a program entitled “Sea Tides and Time” will be the special guest of the Ilse Newell for the Performing Arts concert, on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Trained in America, Germany and Italy, Ferrante has appeared in opera, oratorio and solo concerts throughout the world, and on five recordings.

“Maria Ferrante broke my heart Sunday night. Or, through her, Puccini's Madama Butterfly did,” wrote Richard Dyer of the Boston Globe in January, 2003. Her “combination of delicacy and intensity. . . brought tears to my eyes. . . In her honesty, imagination, and investment, she was infinitely superior to the last Butterfly I saw at the Met.”

The petite soprano’s operatic roles range from the great stage heroines, such as Violetta in Verdi’s “La Traviata,” Pamina in Mozart’s “Magic Flute,” and Desdemona in Verdi’s “Otello,” to serving girls, such as Despina in Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte,” and Barbarina in Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro.”

Equally at home on the concert stage, Maria has appeared in concert with such world renowned artists as: Lincoln Mayorga and Gilbert Kalish. The world’s two most eminent solo clarinetists, Julian Milkis (a Sony recording artist) and Richard Stolzman (who has recorded on all the major labels) have performed with her. Internationally touring solo violinists Ayako Yoshida and Colin Jacobsen, cellist Dorothy Larson (a Deutsche Gramaphon recording artist), and pianists Abba Bogin, Alys Terrien-Queen, and John McGinn have all accompanied Ms Ferrante.

Ms. Ferrante’s most recently released CD, Sea Tides and Time received a rave review from the Boston Herald,”[Ms. Ferrante] known for her lilting soprano voice and probing mind… brings a supple and colorful approach to a broad variety of repertoire.” The Boston Globe said:

This concert performance by this accomplished artist promises to be the highlight of Ilse Newell’s 22nd season, which is provided through the Apalachicola Area Historical Society. Suggest donation is $3.

For more information, call 370-6201.