PRESS RELEASE
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
CONTACT: Dr. Jeffery Jarvis, (501) 450-3163; jarvisj@uca.edu
February 11, 2014
MENTZER, MENENDEZ SCHEDULED FOR MARCH RESIDENCY
By Stephen Simpson
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office
CONWAY — Susanne Mentzer and Louis Menendez will be in residence at the University of Central Arkansas March 5-7.
Mentzer, one of today’s foremost mezzo-sopranos, and Menendez, acclaimed as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach, will give master classes and present a song recital with collaborative piano as part of the residency, sponsored by the UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication.
“These are world-class artists, at the peak of their ability,” said Dr. Jeffery Jarvis, chair of the UCA Department of Music. “The opportunity to hear this music in Conway is quite exciting. Ms. Mentzer is a great American singer. For me, the opportunity to hear her goes beyond exciting.”
Mentzer and Menendenz will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 6. The event is free and open to the public.
Mentzer’s program will feature songs by women composers, including the Libby Larsen song cycle “Love After 1950.” Larsen was a composer-in-residence at UCA several years ago.
Dr. Martha Antolik and Christine Donahue are faculty sponsors of the residency.
Antolik said the program would feature German lieder and American songs by female composers.
“I am teaching a class on Women in Music this term, so there is a tie-in there as well,” she said.
Mentzer, who most recently sang the role of Marcellina in “The Marriage of Figaro” at the Santa Fe Opera last summer, has recorded a CD of songs by female composers, including Larsen.
According to www.susannementzer.com, Mentzer has sung leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera for more than 20 years. She has appeared in most major opera companies, orchestras and festivals around the world. She has worked with many of the world’s greatest conductors and singers.
Menendez is a highly sought collaborative pianist for his wide knowledge of vocal and ensemble repertoire. He is also known for his ability to coach the best singers, as well as help musicians with musical notes, rhythms and entrances. Among those he has worked with are Yo Yo Ma, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.
For more information, contact Jarvis at (501) 450-3163 or jarvisj@uca.edu.
The Artist in Residence program is funded by UCA’s arts fee and is administered by the College of Fine Arts and Communication. For more information about the program, call the Office of the Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication, at (501) 450-3293 or e-mail jdmiller@uca.edu.
The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Communication, Mass Communication and Theatre, Music and Writing. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit www.uca.edu/cfac or call (501) 450-3293.
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