D'Anna Fortunato, mezzo-soprano; Peter H. Bloom, flute; Mary Jane Rupert, harp perform in Maryland

PRLog (Press Release) - Apr. 9, 2012 - Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano D’Anna Fortunato, called “affecting…superb” (The New York Times), will perform a Gala Vocal Chamber Concert with flutist Peter H. Bloom and pianist Mary Jane Rupert.  In this vivid program of fascinating contrasts, the ensemble will perform selections from Handel’s exquisite German arias; “Una voce poco fa” (Rosina’s famous aria from Rossini’s Barber of Seville); songs by Amy Beach; Vowels (1993) by Daniel Pinkham; Nga Whetu e Whitu (2005) by New Zealand composer Gareth Farr; and Schubert’s masterpiece Shepherd on the Rock.  The concert will feature two pieces by American composer Elizabeth Vercoe:  This Is My Letter to the World (2001, based on poems by Emily Dickinson) and Kleemation (2003, inspired by drawings of Paul Klee).  Vercoe, called “one of the most inventive composers working in America today,” will attend the concerts and will be available for questions following the performances.

An admired favorite on the international concert stage, D’Anna Fortunato has appeared as a soloist with Kurt Mazur and the New York Philharmonic, with Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and with other top American orchestras (Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Cleveland, Dallas, Minnesota, St. Luke’s Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and others).  She has performed major operatic roles with leading companies, including Glimmerglass, Kentucky Opera, Connecticut Grand Opera, Opera San Jose, and Boston Lyric Opera.  She has performed Handel’s operas in such venues as Merkin Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Monadnock Music, while singing major roles in 8 premiere Handel CDs for Albany, Newport Classic, and Vox.  Among her many repeat festival appearances are Vaison-la-Romaine, Berlin’s Spectrum Concerts, the Rome Bach Festival, Marlboro, Casals, Tanglewood, Blossom, and Newport.  She has recorded 40 CDs for Harmonia Mundi, London/Decca, Sony Classical, Nonesuch, Koch International, Naxos, and Albany. A regional Met Winner, she also received the Naumburg Prize and the Jacopo Peri Award.  She serves on the faculty of the New England Conservatory College Division.  In 2006, Ms. Fortunato was a Grammy nominee in three categories including best classical vocal recording.  

Peter H. Bloom (flute), whose playing has been called “a revelation for unforced sweetness and strength” (The Boston Globe), tours widely in North America, Europe and Asia, and appears on 30 CDs from labels including SONY Classical, Dorian, Newport Classic, and Leo Records.  Winner of the American Musicological Society’s Noah Greenberg Award, he performs with leading classical ensembles and is also a noted jazz artist, celebrating his 35th season with the renowned Aardvark Jazz Orchestra.  Mr. Bloom serves as historical woodwind consultant for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; provides musical direction for museum exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad; and has given lectures, workshops and master classes worldwide on such diverse topics as historical performance, masterworks of the flute literature, new music, and improvisation. A board member of the James Pappoutsakis Flute Competition, he received a Master of Music with Distinction from the New England Conservatory of Music, and holds a BA in Philosophy from Boston University.  

Mary Jane Rupert (piano), praised by the New York Times as exhibiting “indeed real sensitivity,” has performed throughout the world from Carnegie Recital Hall to the Beijing Concert Hall.  She has appeared as concert pianist and harpist with symphony orchestras and chamber music groups across the United States. She records for North Star Records and Harmony Hill and serves on the music faculties of Tufts University and Boston College.  Previously, she held teaching positions at Missouri Western College, Western Michigan University, MIT, and Wellesley College, where she taught harp for 20 years. Her arrangement of the Nutcracker Suite for Flute and Harp is published by New Boston Editions.  Dr. Rupert holds a DM in Piano Performance and Music Literature, an MM in Piano, and an MM in Harp from Indiana University, as well as a BM in Piano from Oberlin College.

Bloom and Rupert tour internationally as the duo "2", with recent performances in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and across the United States.  The duo “2” is managed exclusively by Americas Musicworks, Rebecca DeLamotte, Managing Director
Tel:  888-887-7169   ~  delamotte-amw@comcast.net
www.americasmusicworks.com

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Americas Musicworks, Rebecca DeLamotte, managing director, is an artist management company representing award-winning chamber music and jazz ensembles that offer concerts for large and small venues, multi-media performances, creative residencies, and custom recording projects. Themes range widely from European masters to Great American Songbook, from historical performance to new music premieres, from jazz standards to the avant-garde. Our mission is to deliver distinctive programs and world-class performance to build and energize audiences. Every client receives personal attention and close communication, to ensure a smooth working relationship. We also provide expert PR support to complement and enhance each presenter’s efforts.

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