NewsRelease

Opera Star Denyce Graves Performing at UNCG April 12
 

Denyce Graves

GREENSBORO – – Denyce Graves, the acclaimed mezzo-soprano and international opera star, will perform in Aycock Auditorium at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Recognized as one of today's most exciting vocal stars, Graves has gathered popular and critical acclaim for her performances on four continents. She is best-known to opera audiences for her portrayals of the title roles in "Carmen" and "Samson et Dalila.”

The one-night-only performance will conclude UNCG’s 2002-03 University Concert/Lecture Series, and it is one of 30 on Graves’ concert and recital season. Ticket prices are $35, $30 and $25, depending on seating. To purchase tickets, call 336-334-4849. Free parking is available behind the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

As one of the music world's most sought-after recitalists, Graves is recognized for her vocalism, gift for communication and dynamic stage presence. Her programs include classical repertoire of German lieder, French mélodie and English art song, in addition to the popular music of Broadway musicals, jazz and American spirituals. For her New York debut, The New York Times wrote, "her voice is dusky and earthy. She is a strikingly attractive stage presence and a communicative artist who had the audience with her through four encores."

Since 1999, Graves has been an exclusive recording artist with BMG Classics, and “Voce di Donna,” her first solo recording of opera arias, was released in September 1999. Her most recent CD, “The Lost Days,” a recording with jazz musicians of Latin songs, was released in January 2003. NPR Classics recently released a recording of spirituals, “Angels Watching Over Me.” She has appeared on a number of recorded opera performances, as well.

Her singing has earned international honors, including the Grand Prix du Concours International de Chant de Paris, the Eleanor Steber Music Award in the Opera Columbus Vocal Competition, and a study grant from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation. Graves made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in the 1995-96 season in the title role of “Carmen.” A native of Washington, D.C., she attended the Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts. She continued her education at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory. USA Today identified her as one of the “singers most likely to be an operatic superstar of the 21st Century.”

She has been a frequent guest on television shows including “Sesame Street,” “The Charlie Rose Show” and “Larry King Live.” In 1996, she was the subject of an Emmy Award-winning profile on CBS's “60 Minutes.” In December 1999, Graves performed in a televised concert given at the Nobel Peace Prize Awards in Norway. She has performed several times at The White House, and she provides many benefit performances for various causes.

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