Marsha Thompson, Soprano
EVENT
Vive la Chanson!
A Concert of French Arias and Art Songs
DATE
February 19, 2010 | 8:00 PM
LOCATION
Christ and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
120 West 69th Street | New York, NY
(between Broadway and Columbus)
Interviews and photo opportunities will be available immediately following the performance. Press requests must be submitted via email prior to the event. Published articles and photos must reference the performers by full name and event, Vive la Chanson!
To request a press pass, contact Bryant Farmer, Marketing & PR Consultant at bryantf212@yahoo.com.
BACKGROUND
Marsha Thompson, Soprano: “A stellar performance by the soprano Marsha Thompson as Violetta raised the emotional temperature of the humid night… [she revealed] a warm agile soprano, secure technique and sang and acted expressively throughout the evening.” Vivienne Schweitzer--New York Times
American soprano Marsha Thompson made her European debut as Aida in Franco Zeffirelli's new production of Aida in Milan, as a part of Italy's Verdi Centennial Celebrations. A cast of exceptionally gifted young singers personally chosen by Maestro Zeffirelli for their outstanding acting abilities sang the production. Ms. Thompson's recent operatic engagements include Violetta in LaTraviata with New York Grand Opera and Mississippi Opera, Viennese Operetta concerts at the Ravello Festival in Amalfi, Italy, and Mimí in La Bohème and Tosca with New Opera Festival of Rome. She has also sung Bess in Porgy and Bess with New York City Opera at Lincoln Center and Opera Carolina in Charlotte. Her recent concert engagements include performances of Beethoven's Symphony #9 and Bachianas Brazileiras with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, a Gala Concert with the Shreveport Symphony, and an all Gershwin Gala with the San Antonio Symphony.
Formally trained as a violinist since five years of age, Ms. Thompson majored in violin performance at the University of Houston under the tutelage of Fridell Lack. Ms. Thompson has received numerous prestigious awards including grants from the Career Bridges Foundation, Opera Index Society, Gerda Lissner, Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, the George London Foundation among many others. Other notable awards include Third Place in the SW Region Metropolitan Opera Nation Council Auditions, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Encouragement Award, First Prize in the Enrico Caruso Awards Competition, First Prize in the National Society of Arts and Letters Competition, Second Place in the 2001 Fort Worth Opera Competition, and First Place in the Rehfuss Singing Actor Competition of Orlando Opera.
Byron Sean, Pianist: A native of the Pacific Northwest, pianist Byron Sean has performed across the world since finishing Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan under the guidance of pianist Anton Nel, and winning a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England.
In the United States, Mr. Sean has played in several music festivals including the International Keyboard Festival in New York City, and has played in countless venues across the country as soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. In Europe, Mr. Sean studied and performed at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris from 2003-2007 as part of the European American Musical Alliance and Classics Abroad.
Byron Sean holds degrees and diplomas from the University of Michigan, the Royal Academy of Music (London), and the Mannes College of Music in New York City. He has recently joined The Core Ensemble and will be touring across the country again during the 2009-2010 season. Mr. Sean will pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 2010.
