This weekend, four members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus will be featured in Rimsky-Korsakov's Mozart and Salieri, a one act opera based on Pushkin's 1830 drama about the relationship between these two composers. Soprano Brittany Louie, Alto Diana Mercurio, Tenor John Clayton, and Bass Zach Augustine will perform a selection from Mozart's Requiem and share the stage with the BPO, JoAnn Falletta, and soloists Darren Stokes and Jonathan Boyd, among others. Did Salieri poison Mozart? You'll have to come to the concert to find out! Performances are Friday, January 17 at 10:30am and Saturday, January 18 at 8pm. Visit BPO.org for tickets and more information! |
"Having worked several times with JoAnn on this one small section of music, I think I came away with the realization that hard work pays off, but timing is everything! It's also really great to work such nice professionals. Sometimes you worry someone might have an ego, but JoAnn and the soloists are not only incredible talents, they are some of the nicest people to be around."
Soprano Brittany Louie describes their musical entrance:
"When I hear the big dramatic entrance to our section, I instantly feel like a Grand Opera Star! It's inspiring to be amongst such talent and to be taken in and greeted so warmly. I'm honored to have this experience."
For Alto section leader Diana Mercurio, a long time member, singing in the BPC always brings new experiences of music making that enrich her life:
"I've been working with the BPC and the BPO for several years, and this is my first opportunity to do something like this. It really has been a great experience, and the soloists we are working with are so talented and nice. I'm honored to share the stage with such talent even if only for a few minutes."