Russell Thomas Master Class
March 2, 2022
Tenor Russell Thomas presents a Tichio-Finnie Vocal Master Class featuring Bienen students Ellen Robertson, Joseph Hack, Norah Wolfe, Nathaniel Bear, and Helaine Liebman.
Yasuko Oura, piano
Program
(00:00:12) Giacomo Puccini, "Donde lieta uscì" from La bohème
Ellen Robertson, soprano
(00:22:21) Gioachino Rossini, "Deh! ti ferma, ti placa" from Semiramide
Joseph Hack, bass
(00:43:24) Gustav Mahler, "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" from Rückert Lieder
Norah Wolfe, contralto
(01:05:37) Francesco Cilèa, "È la solita storia del pastore" ("Lamento di Federico") from L'Arlesiana
Nathaniel Bear, tenor
(01:30:28) Giuseppe Verdi, "Addio, del passato" from La traviata
Helaine Liebman, soprano
About the Presenter
With a “heroically shining tone of exceptional clarity and precision” (Opera Magazine) and “gorgeously burnished power” (New York Times), tenor Russell Thomas uses his signature elegance and intensity to create vivid character portrayals on the world’s most important stages. The 2021-22 season saw his return to some of his most celebrated roles: Florestan in Fidelio at San Francisco Opera, Cavaradossi in Tosca at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Radames in Aida at Los Angeles Opera, and as the title character in Verdi’s Otello at Royal Opera House Covent Garden. He serves as artist in residence at Los Angeles Opera, where he plays a substantial role in planning and casting, hosts and curates the company’s After Hours recital series, and has spearheaded new training programs designed to serve outstanding singers from historically Black colleges and universities and Los Angeles public high school students from underserved communities. In this master class, he coaches Bienen School voice and opera program students.
The Tichio-Finnie Vocal Master Class Series is made possible by a joint gift from The Tichio Family and Shaun and Selme Finnie.