SAVANNAH VOICE, MUSIC FESTIVALS TEAM UP AGAIN TO DELIGHT AUDIENCES WITH CO-PRODUCTIONS IN 2016

SAVANNAH, GA – JANUARY 2016Following the success of 2015’s Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi, a co-production with the Savannah VOICE Festival and the Savannah Music Festival, a new joint venture between the two vocal powerhouses is a logical progression of the partnership.

During the 2016 Savannah Music Festival, which runs March 24-April 9, the companies will again join forces to facilitate two extraordinary concerts with some of American’s most talented opera singers. First, Coastal Empire classical music lovers will be treated to a showcase of celebrated artists during the second annual Arias & Encores event, which is slated for 6 p.m. March 31 at Christ Church Episcopal in Savannah.

Performers will amaze guests with renowned selections from great American, French, and Italian composers with some musical theatre numbers thrown in the mix for good measure. Internationally renowned operatic soprano MicaëlaOeste will grace the stage, her angelic voice drawing in the crowd with a conveyance of powerful emotion. The VOICE Festival’s own Amy Shoremount-Obra, who made her Metropolitan Opera debut last season, will also join the ensemble.

Several other highly respected industry professionals, including conductor Andrew Bisantz and pianist Dan Gettinger, will add depth and richness to the production. To pull it all together in a way that only he can, famed American opera star Sherrill Milnes will serve as the narrator. Commonly acclaimed as the world’s foremost operatic baritone, Milnes is just capping a very special year, during which he celebrated his 80th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his debut at the Metropolitan Opera.

Eager to please their large fan bases and keep the momentum going, coordinators from the Savannah VOICE and Music Festivals have planned the second co-production for just two days later. At 7 p.m. April 2, Mozart in Prague: An Operatic Journey will unfold within the confines of Trinity United Methodist Church in Savannah.

This one-time only multimedia-infused concert will be an operatic tour of composer Wolfgang A. Mozart and librettist Lorenzo da Ponte’s world in the city where his most successful operas – Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro – premiered. The program will feature outstanding voices in scenes and arias from the masterpieces that made a significant and lasting impact on Prague.

Milnes will again keep the audience riveted as he narrates the odyssey. His part in the production is especially significant, given that Milnes was the first American to sing the role of Giovanni on Prague’s premier stage at the Estates Theatre. A backdrop of awe-inspiring images of the magical city of Prague will perfectly complement the stellar singing under Bisantz’s baton.

Savannah VOICE Festival co-founder Maria Zouveslends her direction and production expertise to both concerts. She and her team were pleased with the opportunity to again work alongside the Savannah Music Festival.

“Last year, bringing Puccini’s Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi to the stage with the Music Festival was an unforgettable experience and the response from the audiences was overwhelming. We’re so excited to be able to do it all again with this series of concerts.” Zouves said.

Tickets cost $55 each for Arias & Encores and $65 each for Mozart in Prague. However, tickets to both shows are also available as part of a $225 Patron Package, which includes a pre-festival house concert event, premium seating at both co-productions and a champagne toast with the cast of Mozart in Prague.

Ticketing is available for VOICE Society members by calling 855-76-OPERA or emailing . Tickets are now on sale to the general public online at savannahmusicfestival.org, by phone at 912-525-5050 or in person at 216 E. Broughton St. in Savannah.

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Editor’s Notes

Savannah VOICE Festival is a 501(c) 3 tax exempt nonprofit arts organization in the state of Georgia.The Festival brings classical vocal excellence to the Savannah area through a two-week celebration of concerts, events and educational presentations during the month of August and throughout the year.Focusing on arts awareness and audience development in the performing arts, it offersmusic from opera, musical theatre and popular song.Donations are tax-deductible.

For media inquiries, please call Lesley Francis at 912-429-3950 or email , or Ashley Roberts at 912-220-2976 or email .