Monday, February 21, 2011

Stephen Costello Earns Spot In Prestigious Tenor Lineage

"Rising-star tenor Stephen Costello will sing his American recital debut, at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Folly Theater (12th and Central Sts.) in downtown Kansas City. The Harriman-Jewell Series continues its trademark tradition of presenting the American recital debuts of world-class performing artists at the beginning of extraordinary careers. The Philadelphia native’s Kansas City appearance will mark the Series’ 20th American recital debut presentation....Costello will be joined by pianist Danielle Orlando to perform arias and songs by Verdi, Liszt, Tosti, Rossini, Quilter, and Brodsky. Go to hjseries.org for the complete program list. The Harriman-Jewell Series' first American recital debut presentation was sung by tenor Luciano Pavarotti (1973) and tenors who followed him have also had internationally prominent careers: Francisco Araiza (1982), Ben Heppner (1997), Marcelo Álvarez (2001), Juan Diego Flórez (2002), Daniil Shtoda (2002), Salvatore Licitra (2005), and Clifton Forbis (2006)."

"Pianist Danielle Orlando collaborated with Luciano Pavarotti as accompanist, judge, and artistic coordinator for all of the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competitions. She spent nine seasons working with Gian Carlo Menotti for the Festival dei due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, as the artistic coordinator and coach for the operas, in addition to editing several of his compositions and performing with the Festival. Orlando has served on the music staffs of many opera companies, festivals, and young artist programs." [Source]