Renowned Opera Singer Kicks off New Ithaca College Concert Series

By Dave Maley, September 11, 2019
Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe gives free performance on Sept. 17.

The Ithaca College School of Music will kick off the newly established Manley and Doriseve Thaler Vocal Concert Series with a performance by acclaimed mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe. Free and open to the public, the concert is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 8:15 p.m. in Ford Hall of the Whalen Center.

Named Vocalist of the Year by Musical America in 2009 and given the Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year Award by the Dallas Opera just this past summer, Blythe is one of the most celebrated opera and concert singers of her generation.

She has starred in the Metropolitan Opera’s live broadcasts of the complete Ring Cycle, among other works, and appeared in PBS’s “Live From Lincoln Center” broadcasts of “Carousel” and her own acclaimed show, “We’ll Meet Again: The Songs of Kate Smith.” Worldwide, she has performed on the stages of Carnegie Hall, Covent Garden, Paris National Opera and the San Francisco, Chicago Lyric and Seattle Operas.

Blythe was recently named artistic director of the Graduate Vocal Arts Program at the Bard College Conservatory of Music and has served as artistic director of the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar at the Crane School of Music.

Blythe will also hold a master class for students during her visit.

Through the generosity of the Thaler family and Thaler/Howell Foundation, the Manley and Doriseve Thaler Vocal Concert Series joins the Rachel S. Thaler Concert Pianist Series and Louis K. Thaler Concert Violinist Series in bringing world-class artists to campus for public performances as well as master classes.

For more information on School of Music concerts, visit ithaca.edu/music/events.