SUNY Plattsburgh Choral Union and Champlain Valley Voices to Present "The Touches of Sweet Harmony"

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Kristine Ciesinski

PLATTSBURGH, NY (04/08/2010)(readMedia)-- SUNY Plattsburgh Choral Union and Champlain Valley Voices with guest conductor Jo Ellen Miano will present a concert, "The Touches of Sweet Harmony," on Saturday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. in E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium, Hawkins Hall.

This concert wraps up the SUNY Plattsburgh ChoralFest 2010, a week-long festival of choral-vocal events with internationally acclaimed soprano Kristine Ciesinski in residence.

"I am excited about the collaboration between the SUNY Plattsburgh ChoralFest and the Champlain Valley Voices spring program," said Miano. "Our guest artist Kristine Ciesinski's intensive work with local soloists will be a rewarding experience for all involved."

Ciesinski will perform the title role in a concert version of the tragic opera "Dido and Aeneas," by Baroque composer Henry Purcell (1659-1695). Joining her will be graduate voice students from The Eastman School of Music Alyssa Doggett, soprano, and Constance Waddell, mezzo-soprano.

"The chorus looks forward to the opportunity to perform on stage with singers of this caliber and to bring this moving work to the audience," said Miano.

The concert will also feature a chamber orchestra and soloists including community members Janice Tobin and Laura Capito and SUNY Plattsburgh voice students Rory Wallace, Maegan Pollonais, Tyler Rebello, and Rowena Remy.

The program also includes "Serenade to Music" by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). The composer drew the text from Act V, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice." SUNY Plattsburgh music student Yana Avedian will provide piano accompaniment. Soloists will be Rory Wallace, Andrew Snider and Matthew Lawliss, from SUNY Plattsburgh, and guest singers Doggett and Waddell from Eastman. The concert will be rounded out by Randall Thompson's a cappella work, "Alleluia," composed in 1940.

Tickets are available at the door and in advance at the Cornerstone Bookshop, Myers Gifts, or from chorus members. Prices are $17 general admission, $12 seniors and students, $5 children 12 and under. SUNY Plattsburgh student tickets are $2 and can be purchased at the Angell College Center or at the door. For more information, call 518-564-2243.