Not for a moment to slight the Young Artists program at Seattle Opera, whose graduates regularly appear on national and international stages (most recently Lawrence Brownlee at the Met), but there's also a terrific home-grown talent program across the Ship Canal. From time to time, the brick walls of academe come down and let us listen to some lovely voices in the University of Washington's music department.
For example: a soprano who's been described as "The Cherub of Meany Hall." That would be Tess Altiveros, who sang Cherubino in a student production of Marriage of Figaro four years ago. Miss Altiveros joins a stellar cast of students and guest artists on the bill for the Spring Opera Gala at Meany Hall.
The program, guest-conducted by Peter Erös and Jonathan Pasternack, includes selections from Verdi, Donizetti, Offenbach, Mozart, Wagner, and Strauss. Tenor Thomas Harper and soprano Joyce Guyer will also be featured.
Performances at Meany Theater, Friday, May 14, at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, May 16, at 3 pm. Tickets cost $15 ($10 students/seniors). For reservations: 206-543-4880.
