Akron Symphony Finishes 07-08 Classic Series With Haydn’s The Creation
Saturday’s concert to feature orchestra, chorus, and three guest vocalists

Akron—The Akron Symphony will present Haydn’s master work, The Creation, this Saturday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m. at E.J. Thomas Hall on the campus of The University of Akron. Music Director Christopher Wilkins will lead the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, and guest vocalists Joyce Guyer (soprano), Karl Dent (tenor), and Timothy Jones (bass-baritone) through Haydn’s musical depiction of the seven days of the creation of the world as recounted in the Biblical book of Genesis. The Creation is the seventh and final Akron Symphony Classic concert of the 2007-2008 season.

Joyce Guyer, soprano
Joyce Guyer has appeared in leading roles with important opera companies and orchestras throughout the U.S.A and in Europe, including The Metropolitan Opera where she has sung roles such as the Countess and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier, Sophie in Werther, Woglinde in Das Rheingold and Götterdämmerung, Waldvogel in Siegfried, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Nanetta in Falstaff, and Anne Trulove in The Rake’s Progress), The Washington Opera, The Dallas Opera, New York City Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Opèra de Nice, the Opèra de Lyon, Teatro Massimo Bellini di Catania, Opera Grand Rapids, Knoxville Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and New Orleans Opera in roles that include Konstanze, Pamina, Marguerite, Mimi, Donna Anna, Zerlina, Eurydice, and Gilda.

Karl Dent, tenor
Karl Dent, born in Houston, Texas, received his master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of North Texas. He performs extensively in oratorio, concert, and recital, as well as in opera. Dent was a soloist in thaw’s Atlanta Symphony recording of Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, which won the Grammy as Best Choral Recording for 1997, and he sang in Shaw’s Atlanta recording of Janacek’s Glagolitic Mass, which received a Grammy nomination for Rest Choral Recording in 1990. Dent is artist-in-residence and associate professor of music at Texas Tech University, in Lubbock.

Timothy Jones, bass-baritone
Acclaimed throughout the United States, Canada, South America and Europe, Timothy Jones is rapidly emerging as one of the leading bass-baritones of his generation. His eagerly anticipated performances
combine intelligent musicianship, commanding vocal technique and a unique ability to connect with audiences. He is a champion of opera, the concert stage, chamber music, solo recitals and the premieres of contemporary works.

In the 2006-2007 season Mr. Jones sings Messiah with The Cleveland Orchestra, Jake in Porgy and Bess with Opera Pacific, Alidoro in La Cenerentola with the Opera Birmingham, Eight Songs for a Mad King with the Utah Symphony, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass with the Jacksonville Symphony, the St. John Passion with the Florida Bach Festival, concerts at the Cactus Pear Festival, a gala concert with the Marshall Symphony, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Wichita Symphony, and performances at Michigan State University and the University of Houston.

Akron Symphony Chorus
At 130 members strong, the Chorus is directed by Hugh Floyd of Oberlin College, and dedicated to achieving the highest level of choral singing. The volunteer singers represent all walks of life from our Akron community and surrounding areas. The Chorus is an indispensable part of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, and along with the Orchestra and the Akron Youth Symphony, functions under the auspices of GAMA- the Greater Akron Musical Association.

Tickets
To purchase tickets or for more information, please call the Akron Symphony ticket office at 330.535.8131 or visit AkronSymphony.org. Single tickets for The Creation start at $20 with discounts and specials for seniors, students, and groups of ten or more. Student rush tickets are also available at the E.J. Thomas box office a half hour before the concert begins for $5.

Support
The Creation is sponsored by The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation. A post-concert reception is sponsored by UBS. PBS 45 & 49 is the Akron Symphony’s official Classic Series media partner, along with WKSU-FM and Akron Life & Leisure magazine.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Akron Symphony with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The University of Akron also supports the Akron Symphony and its programs.

Mark Your Calendars
Saturday, April 19, 2008 – The Creation
E.J. Thomas Hall, The University of Akron – 8:00 p.m.
Akron Symphony Orchestra
HAYDN – The Creation
Christopher Wilkins, conductor
Akron Symphony Chorus; Hugh Floyd, chorus director
Joyce Guyer, soprano; Karl Dent, tenor; Timothy Jones, bass-baritone
7:00 p.m. – Preview from the Podium with Christopher Wilkins
Tickets available $20-$40; call 330-535-8131 or log on to ticketmaster.com

Artist biographies and photos are available in digital format by visiting the Akron Symphony Press Room at www.AkronSymphony.org. This online resource offers journalists and the public access to the latest information about the Akron Symphony, including archived news releases, downloadable high-resolution photos and media kit materials.

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