Opera singer coming to BYU

Noted opera singer and recitalist Frederica von Stade will be visiting Brigham Young University this weekend, performing in recital Friday evening and giving a master class Saturday.

Accompanied at the piano by composer Jake Heggie (best known for his operas "Dead Man Walking" and "The End of the Affair"), von Stade will sing a wide selection of art songs from the 19th and 20th centuries, including music by Faure, Schubert, Poulenc, Debussy, Ravel, Copland and Ginastera, as well as a set of Broadway songs.

Since debuting at the Met in 1970 as the Third Youth in Mozart's "The Magic Flute," von Stade's career quickly took flight. She soon took on substantial roles and was engaged to sing in major opera houses and concert halls around the world.

Von Stade has also appeared in Utah several times over the years, including during the 2002 Winter Olympics and at one of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concerts (together with baritone Bryn Terfel).

In addition to her recital, von Stade will hold a master class Saturday that is open to the public. That evening she will judge the final round of BYU's Young Artists of Voice Competition, which is open to the public, as well.

Von Stade's appearance at BYU will mark the inauguration of the Nancy Peery Marriott Visiting Artist Endowment. The goal of this endowment is to bring world-class singers to the Provo campus to perform and teach in brief residencies. Future artists scheduled to come to BYU include baritones Sherrill Milnes and Thomas Hampson and mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore.

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If you go . . .

What: Mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade

Where: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, Brigham Young University

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

How much: $20-$100 ($5 discount with student ID)

Phone: 801-422-4322

Web: performances.byu.edu

Also: Master class with Frederica von Stade, de Jong Concert Hall, 1 p.m. Saturday, $10 (free with BYU student ID)

Also: Final round BYU's Young Artists of Voice Competition for the 2008 Singers of the Year Awards, Madsen Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, free

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E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com