Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) in partnership with the National Association of Teachers of Singing, proudly presents the New York recital debut of baritone Thomas Florio, First Place winner of the 2010 National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Award Competition (NATSAA), accompanied by pianist Jasmin Arakawa, on Sunday, October 30 at 2:00pm at Weill Recital Hall.
A superbly versatile performer, rapidly rising baritone Thomas Florio, who turns 27 this month, is a District Finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and a graduate of Indiana University’s Master of Music program. Florio won acclaim for the role of Dr. Dulcamara (L’elisir d’amore) with San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program, with San Francisco Classical Voice saying that he “stole much of the show … physically nimble, and on top of the meaning of almost every note.” Currently an artist in residence with Hamburg State Opera Studio, Florio’s recent and upcoming roles include Marullo (Rigoletto), Sciarrone (Tosca), Hortensius (La fille du régiment) as well as roles in Salomé and Hans Pfitzner’s Palestrina. Florio can also be heard on the Grammy-nominated premiere recording of John Musto’s Volpone, with Wolf Trap Opera Studio.
Florio and Arakawa’s program will include five settings of texts from Shakespeare by Gerald Finzi, Quatre chansons de Don Quichotte by Jacques Ibert, the aria “Within this frail crucible of light” from Benjamin Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, along with songs by Enríc Granados and Hans Pfitzner. Closing the program will be The Ladies (1998) by Indiana University-based composer Edwin Penhorwood, and Five Commercial Jingles, Florio’s own conceptual take on classic jingles from the 50s, 60s and 70s including “Aqua Velva Man” and Gerber’s “Bringing Up Baby.”
Now in its 4th season, DCINY offers spectacular opportunities to young and emerging artists from across the globe, bringing them to New York’s legendary venues. Driven by passion and innovative vision, DCINY occupies a unique and vital place in the New York musical landscape. The next concert in DCINY’s Distinguished Artist Series features Diandian Wu, piano and authentic Chinese instruments, on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30pm, at Zankel Hall.
Florio continues his studies with Brian Horne.
