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Kunde gives benefit recital
A Voice of Hope recital was performed on Sunday, September 13, 1998, at Kilbourn Hall at Eastman School of Music, in Rochester, New York. This performance marked two unusual “firsts” for this renowned tenor of the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, and other notable opera houses of the world. With accompanist Christopher Marks, Kunde made his Rochester debut and presented his first solo recital.
The 450-seat Kilbourn Hall was filled with family, friends, Eastman School of Music faculty and students, and opera lovers alike. Greeted warmly by his public, the tenor offered a generous sampling of bel canto arias as well as art songs. He concluded the afternoon recital with original arrangements (by his accompanist Marks) of standards and Broadway favorites. Throughout the program, the tenor’s elegant musicality and exemplary phrasing, remarkable command of languages, and ability to communicate text delighted the audience. And in a surprise encore, Kunde introduced and performed an original composition “Just Being There,” written for his wife and manager Linda.
Following the recital, Mr. Kunde met with the audience at a champagne reception. Later that evening, a private dinner was held at Rochester’s premiere restaurant The Grill at Water Street. Donors and Medical Center officials welcomed Mr. Kunde, presenting him with a commemorative gift.
All proceeds from the sale of tickets benefited the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Discovery Fund. Over $30,000 dollars was raised through the efforts of Mr. Kunde at this remarkable and memorable Rochester event.
A VOICE OF HOPE | |
"Asile héréditaire," from Guillaume Tell | G. Rossini |
L'invitation du voyage | H. Duparc |
Musique anodine | G. Rossini |
"Una furtive lagrima," from L'Elisir d'amore | G. Donizetti |
The Plough Boy | B. Britten |
"Si, ritrovarla, io giuro," | G. Rossini |
On the Sunny Side of the Street | Fields/McHugh |
About the accompanist
Christopher Marks, an accomplished pianist and organist, has received degrees from the University of Richmond (B. Mus. in piano, 1992) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (M. Mus in piano, 1994; M. Mus. in organ, 1995) and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ at the Eastman School of Music. He has served as a graduate assistant in accompanying both at the University of Illinois and at Eastman, and is currently teaching at Syracuse University in the Music Department.
Chorale makes debut
About the artists
The GREGORY KUNDE CHORALE is comprised of singers from the Rochester area, who share a love of music and the desire to bring chamber music performance to the community.
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1999 and 2000 proved to be successful seasons for the group. The chorale's first concert featured Handel's Messiah and seasonal carols. Encouraged by the warm response from the Rochester public, the GREGORY KUNDE CHORALE began to prepare for its second season, which featured Vivaldi's Gloria as well as several holiday selections.
This season will feature choral favorites, which the chorale will present in an expanded performance schedule over the fall and winter months. Look for listings of performances in your local publications!
With assistant conductor Greg Ristow and accompanist Beryl Garver, the chorale has prepared several programs to be presented in the Rochester area during the 2000-2001 season. Mr. Ristow is currently working on his Masters degre
e in Conducting at Eastman School of Music.
Beryl Garver is an accomplished soloist as well as choral and vocal coach. A graduate of Eastman School of Music with a Master's degree in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music, she currently serves on the faculties of Eastman School of Music and Nazareth College. Ms. Garver is active as a freelance collaborative pianist and vocal coach and a member of the Seneca Trio.
The GREGORY KUNDE CHORALE is the realization of a dream for this tenor. As a college student, Mr. Kunde studied choral conducting at Illinois State University. His impressive and extensive schedule on the operatic stage has kept him from pursuing this dream until now. While he continues to delight audiences around the world, he is committed to bringing an innovative style of choral chamber music to Rochester.
Andrew Wheatcraft
Business Manager
andy@gregorykunde.com
Marcy C. Long
Director of Production
marcy@gregorykunde.com
Linda Wojciechowski Kunde
General Director
linda@gregorykunde.com
Gregory Kunde
Conductor
gregory@gregorykunde.com
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