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Music by the Lake to Host Leading Baritone Thomas Hampson on July 12
6/22/2009
AURORA, Ill. — Thomas Hampson, America's leading baritone, will perform in Aurora University's ninth annual Music by the Lake series on Sunday, July 12, at 4 p.m.
Hampson will perform his highly acclaimed recital "Song of America" during the Classical Spotlight Concert, as part of the Special Concerts series. Performances are held in The Ferro Pavilion at George Williams College of Aurora University, located on the shores of Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wis.
Hampson is considered to be the pre-eminent recitalist of his generation. His thoughtfully constructed programs that explore the rich diversity of song idioms, languages and styles have won him many professional accolades, as well as the respect of his colleagues worldwide. He has been recognized for his versatility and breadth of achievement in opera, song, recording, research and teaching. Hampson enjoys an international career that has taken him to all of the world's most prestigious stages and concert halls, making him one of today's most respected, innovative and sought-after soloists.
Born in Indiana and brought up in Spokane, Wash., he has devoted his life to music, performing opera, operetta, musical theatre, oratorio and recital, and he has made significant contributions in the fields of recording, research and teaching. Telling the stories of human existence, bringing them to life and touching audiences is what matters most to Thomas Hampson when he appears on stage.
Hampson's operatic repertoire encompasses more than 60 roles, and spans both standard repertoire and rarely heard works. A particular passion is the world of song, which he believes to be the diary of a culture. He has produced more than 25 recordings of songs in various languages and won virtually every major recording prize available. His devotion to American song titled "Stephen Foster and His World" was produced by Hessische Rundfunk in Stuttgart, Germany, and filmed on location in Pittsburgh at the Stephen Foster Memorial.
In 1996, the critically acclaimed PBS special called "I Hear America Singing" followed, resulting in the launch of the first interdisciplinary Web site for American song by the same name. Subsequently, Hampson presented concerts, symposia and radio programs focused on American song in which he offers various perspectives on the fascinating history of thought, poetry and music in America. The Hampsong Foundation, in collaboration with the Library of Congress furthers the understanding of, and pride for, cultural development in America.
Hampson holds honorary doctorates from Whitworth College, Spokane, Wash., and the San Francisco Conservatory, and has recently become a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. He is an honorary member of London's Royal Academy of Music and bears the titles of Kämmersanger of the Vienna State Opera as well as Chevalier de L'ordre des arts et des letters by the Republic of France. He was awarded the Austrian Medal of Honor in Arts and Sciences in 2004, and in 2005 he received the Edison Life Achievement Award.
For the first time, Music by the Lake's summer season of seven performances includes the Main Stage Series, with four Saturday evening performances and a Sunday afternoon performance; and the Special Concerts series, featuring a Classical Spotlight Concert and a Jazz Café Concert.
This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art, with additional contributions from Wisconsin Arts Board, General Mills Foundation, and Land O'Lakes Foundation. Hampson's performance is supported by Special Concerts Sponsor, Judith and John Graff Charitable Fund.
The Main Stage series continues with:
- Puccini’s Italian masterpiece, “Madama Butterfly,” Saturday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 19 at 4 p.m. Performances are supported by Young Artist Underwriter Harold Hartshorne, Jr.
- Michael Bolton, one of America’s greatest singers and songwriters, “Swings Sinatra” Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m. This performance is underwritten by Don and Marilyn Hedberg and The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation.
- "Sweet Baby James" is a James Taylor tribute sung by New York artist Bob Stillman, Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. This performance is underwritten by The J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation.
This year's Special Concerts series also includes:
- Johan Stengård (Jazz Café), the premier saxophone player of Sweden, Sunday, July 26 at 4 p.m. This performance is underwritten by Diamond Artist Underwriter Bertil E. and Ulla E. Brunk.
Single-ticket prices range from $60 to $125 for the Thomas Hampson performance. Visit www.musicbythelake.com, call 866-843-5200 toll-free or 262-245-8501, or e-mail mbtl@aurora.edu.com for ticket availability.
The 2009 Music by the Lake concert series is generously supported by Platinum sponsors AT&T and Fairwyn; Gold sponsors Grand Geneva, Keefe (Honorary Presenting Sponsor) and Scherrer Construction; and Silver sponsors Aurora Health Care, Balestrieri Development and Environmental Inc., Gage Marine Lake Geneva Cruise Line, HGA Architects and Engineers, M&I Bank, Johnson Bank, Sodexo Campus Services and Walworth State Bank.
Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. Approximately 4,000 degree-seeking students are enrolled each year on the university’s Illinois and Wisconsin campuses, and the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association to award degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. The George Williams College campus offers 15 academic programs, unique conference facilities, and is home to Music by the Lake and other education and enrichment programs.
Note: Media may download print-quality photos by going to the Music by the Lake press room at www.musicbythelake.com/press.
