The Performing Art Series Presents New England Regional Winners of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions

The Performing Art Series is pleased to present a concert by Gabriella Reyes de Ramírez, soprano, and Keith Phares, baritone, both New England Regional Winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, together with Michael Strauss, host and pianist. The concert will take place at 3 P.M. on October 29 at the Brimmer & May School located at 60 Middlesex Rd. in Chestnut Hill.

The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions program is designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist in the development of their careers. Regional winners travel to New York to participate in the National Semi-Finals on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera, and finalists compete in the Grand Finals Concert accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Reyes de Ramírez, a Nicaraguan-American and graduate of Boston Conservatory, was selected New England Regional First Place Winner, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, at Boston’s Jordan Hall in January 2017.

A graduate of New England Conservatory and Juilliard Opera Center, Phares was the 1998 New England Regional Winner and National Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. His career includes performances in principal roles with opera companies across the United States.

Strauss is on the faculties of both Boston Conservatory and New England Conservatory, teaching various courses in vocal studies and working as a vocal coach in their opera departments. A native of South Africa, the acclaimed pianist and sought-after accompanist has been heard in recital at various Boston as well as New York venues.

The October 29 program will include works by Gaetano Donizetti, Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi and Ruggero Leoncavallo, to name a few. Concert admission is free, but reservations are required due to limited seating. For complimentary reservations, please call 617.731.4644, ext. 254 to reserve a seat.

The Performing Arts Series was created in 1996 to enrich the cultural communities that the company services, as well as to provide talented artists and up-and-coming musicians with performance opportunities throughout the region.

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