By Matthew Marango
The University of Louisville will play host to opera star, Katherine Rohrer, tonight, at the Margaret Comstock Music Hall.
Debuting at Carnegie Hall, Rohrer is a mezzo-soprano and has sung with such opera companies as The San Francisco and the New York City Opera.
“She’s very good,” said Daniel Weeks, tenor and professor at the School of Music. “She and I toured the country with the San Francisco Opera in 2001.”
Rohrer is at U of L under the Marilyn Horne Foundation Grant, which, as stated on their Web site, seeks “to encourage, support and preserve the art of the vocal recital through the presentation of vocal recitals and related educational activities in communities across the United States.”
Opera singer Marilyn Horne created the foundation in 1993, to provide young singers with performance opportunities in light of diminishing music education in public schools and the increasing popularity of non-classical forms of music.
Weeks began singing for the foundation in February 2000 and continued for three years.
“Barbara Hocher, the executive director for the foundation had informed me a few years ago while I was in New York about the upcoming grants,” said Weeks. “They were looking for places where people were passionate about art song recitals and where the recitals themselves could be produced the way they wanted.”
Rohrer was the resident artist at the School of Music in February, which was originally planned to end with a recital on Feb. 21. She and pianist John Parr performed at Ballard High School, Valley High School, the West Louisville Music Academy and LaFayette High School in Lexington as part of her residency. Unfortunately, due to U of L shutting down because of weather conditions, the recital had to be rescheduled.
“We are very excited to have Katherine and John back for the recital next week,” said Weeks.
The hour-and-a-half concert is set to begin at 8 p.m. For more information, please call the concert line at 852-0524.
