Currents--University of Rochester

January 24
2000

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In Brief

Currents--University of Rochester newspaper

Alumnus William Warfield returns to ESM

Warfield

W illiam Warfield, considered to be one of the great vocal artists of the 20th century, will help usher in the 21st century at his alma mater, the Eastman School. The Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone--who was raised in Rochester and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from ESM in 1942 and 1946, respectively--is known worldwide for his work as a soloist, recitalist, actor, and narrator. He's perhaps best known for his role as Porgy in George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess, as well as for his feature role as Joe the dock hand in the musical Showboat.

Warfield will appear in a benefit concert with the Eastman Philharmonia during his return to Rochester, sponsored by ESM and the William Warfield Scholarship Committee, Inc.

The premier concert on Wednesday, January 26, at 8 p.m. in Eastman Theatre will be a tribute celebrating Warfield's 80th birthday. The Eastman Philharmonia, conducted by Mendi Rodan, will perform and Warfield will narrate New Morning for the World, a work for speaker and orchestra. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning Eastman Professor of Composition Joseph Schwantner, the text features the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following intermission, during which the school will present Warfield with an Alumni Achievement Award, the orchestra will perform Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz. After the concert, a reception for all will be held on the Cominsky Promenade on the second floor of the Eastman School main building.

Preceding the concert, a gala dinner honoring Warfield and hosted by the Warfield Scholarship Committee will be held at Villa D'Este Ballroom, 120 East Ave. The benefit, which is open to the public, begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets (including a cash bar, dinner, the concert, and the post-concert reception) are required. For more information, call x4-1040.

The concert is free to students and University ID holders. General admission tickets to the concert are available at Ticket Express, 100 East Ave., or by calling 222-5000. They also will be available at the theater box office one hour before the performance.

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