February 11, 2003
Contact: Susan Gwynne
(805) 893-2098
e-mail: gwynne-s@sa.ucsb.edu

UCSB Arts & Lectures and The Lobero present the Santa Barbara debut recital of the radiant Metropolitan Opera diva Denyce Graves

Summary Facts:

• Denyce Graves, mezzo-soprano, with Warren Jones, piano
• Her Santa Barbara debut recital
• Metropolitan Opera star acclaimed for her title roles in Carmen and Samson et Dalila
• Third of three ArtAbounds performances presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and The Lobero in 2002-2003
• Tuesday, March 18
• 8 pm / UCSB Campbell Hall
• General: $45 and $35, UCSB Students: $25
• $100 patron seating includes a private post-concert reception with the artists to benefit ArtAbounds
• Tickets/information: UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535

Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, recognized worldwide as one of today’s most exciting vocal stars, will present her Santa Barbara debut recital, accompanied by pianist Warren Jones, on Tuesday, March 18 at 8 pm in UCSB Campbell Hall. This is a rare opportunity to see and hear such a stunning talent in an intimate setting. A Metropolitan Opera star acclaimed for her title roles in Carmen and Samson et Dalila, Graves continues to gather unparalleled popular and critical praise for her performances on four continents. Graves and Jones’ varied and exhilarating repertoire includes Italian, French, German, and English songs, operatic arias and American spirituals. The Atlanta Journal Constitution exclaims, “Put simply, if the human voice has the power to move you, you will be touched by Denyce Graves.”

Denyce Grave’s combination of expressive, rich vocalism, elegant stage presence and vivid theatrical abilities allows her to pursue a wide breadth of operatic portrayals as well as delight audiences in recital appearances. She has appeared on the world’s greatest stages, from London’s Covent Garden to Milan’s La Scala, performed with outstanding orchestras led by premier conductors including James Levine, Zubin Mehta and Christoph Eschenbach. She has starred opposite the foremost names in opera, including Plácido Domingo, Roberto Alagna and Andrea Bocelli. An exclusive recording artist for BMG Classics/RCA Red Seal, her numerous CDs include Voce di Donna, a solo recording of opera arias, Denyce Graves: A Cathedral Christmas, a program of seasonal music recorded at Washington’s National Cathedral, and Angels Watching over Me, a selection of spirituals performed with her frequent accompanist Warren Jones. For her most recent CD, Graves joined forces with a stellar cast of Latin musicians and composers including recent A&L performer Eliane Elias and upcoming A&L artist Chucho Valdés (April 16) for The Lost Days: Music in the Latin Style.

Denyce Graves is a native of Washington, D.C., where she attended the Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts. She went on to study at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory; Oberlin College granted her an honorary doctorate in 1998. Graves has been invited on several occasions to perform in recital at the White House, and she provides many benefit performances for various causes special to her each season. “She is almost too good to be true,” the Washington Post enthuses.“ A vital artist, a beautiful woman, a regal presence.”

Warren Jones is familiar to Santa Barbara audiences as each summer he teaches and performs at the Music Academy of the West. In great demand as an accompanist, Jones has worked with artists such as Kiri Te Kanawa, Marilyn Horne and Kathleen Battle. Having performed around the world, Jones has been a guest artist at Carnegie Hall and in Lincoln Center’s Great Performers series. After a recent concert, the San Francisco Chronicle claimed, “His playing was a marvel, as always.”

For more information about Denyce Graves and her recordings, please visit her website at www.denycegraves.com. For more information about Warren Jones, please visit his website at www.warrenjones.com.

A limited number of $100 patron tickets are available for the recital by Denyce Graves. These tickets, which benefit ArtAbounds, include premium seating and an invitation to a private reception with the artists after the performance.

Warren Jones will hold a Master Class with UCSB piano students on Monday, March 17 at 7 pm at Geiringer Hall, UCSB Music Building (the UCSB Department of Music is a co-sponsor of the class). The class is free and open to public observation.

The recital by the Denyce Graves is the third and final ArtAbounds event of the 2002-2003 performing arts season. An innovative partnership between UCSB Arts & Lectures and The Lobero, ArtAbounds permits both presenters to bring to Santa Barbara international artists of the highest stature that neither could pesent on its own. This project is funded in part by the Audience Development and Marketing Grant Program using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission.

The performance by Denyce Graves is sponsored by Michael Towbes, the Santa Barbara News-Press, Inn of the Spanish Garden, Wilson Printing and KDB 93.7FM.

Tickets are $45 and $35 for the general public and $25 for UCSB students. $100 patron seating includes a private post-concert reception with the artists to benefit ArtAbounds.

For tickets or more information,
call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535.

Editor: For photos, please call
Susan Gwynne at (805) 893-2098.