Sunday, April 23: Spanish concert in Oak Park with soprano Christine Steyer and guitarist Brandon Acker

Oak Park's favorite soprano, Christine Steyer, makes a special appearance Sunday, April 23 at Church of Beethoven-Oak Park in a special Spanish language performance with classical guitarist Brandon Acker. The concert will be held Sunday April 23 at Open Door Theater in Oak Park from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The concert will feature works by Manuel de Falla, Joaguín Rodrigo & Federico García Lorca.

Christine Steyer was a recent winner of six national awards including The American Prize in Art Song and The Johnny Mercer Award. Steyer has received acclaim for her operatic portrayals of the Marschallin from Der Rosenkavalier, the title role in Madama Butterfly and Violetta in La Traviata.

Steyer is also the Artistic director of Bellissima Opera and is currently heading The Transcendence Triptych project – an operatic celebration of individuals who transcended the racial divide. She has performed for 17,800 schoolchildren with Bellissima Opera Outreach, an organization she founded in 2009.

Brandon J. Acker is a highly sought out soloist, collaborator and lecturer on the classical guitar and renaissance lute. Notable achievements include: 1st Prize in the 2010 Society of American Musician’s competition; Performance degrees from both DePaul and Northwestern; An England tour with Chamber Opera Chicago; Premiering works and arrangements on WDRT 91.9FM; and a recently finished debut classical CD. “Franz Schubert: A Wanderer’s Guitar” is a recording collaboration with baritone Ryan de Ryke exploring the once common practice in 19th century Viennese culture of performing Schubert lieder with guitar instead of piano. Brandon’s passion for opera has also led him to the study of continuo on the Baroque guitar and has performed with opera theaters as well as the Bach and Beethoven Ensemble and the Amadeus Consort. Internationally acclaimed guitarist Jason Vieaux referred to his playing as possessing a “Beautiful sound and a really nice touch on the instrument.”Started in Oak Park in 2011, Church of Beethoven-Oak Park presents Sunday morning classical music performances in an intimate and casual setting as well as poetry by local poets and two minutes of silence. The family-friendly concerts are designed to bring classical music to an intimate audience in a casual setting.

Record store owner Val Camilletti of Val's hall Records is mistress of ceremonies in a refreshing Sunday morning event with free coffee and cookies. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and children.

For more information visit www.churchofbeethoven-oakpark....