The First-Ever New York City Richard Bonynge Public Masterclass

One of the world's leading opera courses, known for its intensive training opportunities for talented young opera singers in the art of Italian opera and song, the Georg Solti Accademia was founded in 2004 to honor the memory of the legendary Hungarian conductor Sir Georg Solti. Kicking off the Accademia's 10th anniversary this fall, the organization presents its first-ever New York City public masterclass featuring Richard Bonynge at the prestigious Juilliard School's Peter Jay Sharp Theater on October 9, 2013. The event, in collaboration with The Juilliard School, is only the second masterclass for singers in the Accademia's history to take place outside of Italy, and offers the public a rare opportunity to witness a musical legend in action with some of tomorrow's promising young artists.

"..there are few people who know more about the bel canto period..." Limelight magazine (Australia) April 2, 2013

Wednesday, October 9, 2013
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Master Class with Richard Bonynge
The Peter Jay Sharp Theater, The Juilliard School
60 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Event is Free and Open to the Public
Ticket Information to be Announced at a Later Date

An intimate, first-hand look at the "behind-the-scenes" work between young singers and an internationally renowned expert, the master class provides special insight into the Italian art of bel canto.

A press-only Question & Answer session with Mr. Bonynge, Accademia founder Lady Valerie Solti, Accademia Executive Director Candice Wood, and Accademia Artistic Director Jonathan Papp will take place from 5:15 to 5:45 pm prior to the master class. Joining them will be Juilliard President Joseph W. Polisi, and Artistic Director of the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts at Juilliard, pianist Brian Zeger. Please e-mail Laura Grant at Laura@grant-communications.com to RSVP and get location.

Australian-born musician Richard Bonynge, AC, CBE, is acknowledged as a scholar of bel canto, in 18th and 19th century opera and ballet music. As a conductor he is widely regarded as being extraordinarily sympathetic to singers on the stage and his instinct, knowledge and feel for voices has become legendary. In addition to his own career, he is universally acknowledged for guiding the career of his late wife, the soprano Joan Sutherland. He made his conducting debut in Rome in 1962 with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, and has since conducted at most of the world's opera houses. Former posts include Artistic Director of Vancouver Opera and Musical Director of Australian Opera.

A prolific recording artist, Mr. Bonynge has over fifty complete operas to his credit, has made videos and DVDs of many operas and recorded numerous ballets. His most recent disc of British Opera Overtures was released in early spring 2013 on the British recording label Somm.

As part of its observation of its decade milestone, the Georg Solti Accademia, in addition to the Bonynge public master class, is also supporting a private week-long residency at Juilliard where Mr. Bonynge and other Accademia faculty will work privately with Juilliard singers.

The Georg Solti Accademia takes place each summer in the Tuscan seaside town Castiglione della Pescaia in Italy, where the late Maestro Solti spent his summers, and offers a three-week course of in-depth training of the highest standards in Italian music, culture, language, dramatic interpretation and masterclasses, providing 12 young singers selected through auditions with the vital bridge between the end of formal training and professional life. Some of the world's greatest living interpreters and teachers, among them Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Frederica von Stade, Mirella Freni, Sir Thomas Allen, Antonio Pappano, Leo Nucci, Jose Carreras, Dennis O'Neill, Angela Gheorghiu, as well as Mr. Bonynge, have participated in the Accademia since its founding. Mr. Bonynge, Dennis O'Neill and Renata Scotto will participate in the 2013 session of the Accademia next month. Since 2008, the Accademia also works with repetiteurs in a separate 2 week program. The Accademia concludes each year with a free public concert in Piazza Solti.

"The Academy is one of the few organisations in the world today which is teaching the true values of musical style. ...The work is intensive and the atmosphere is the friendliest. It gives me untold pleasure to work with these young people. ...Long life to this wonderful Academy." - Richard Bonynge

Additional details regarding tickets and participating master class singers will be shared in a second release in the early fall. Photos of Richard Bonynge, Lady Valerie Solti and Castiglione are available upon request. Background information on the Georg Solti Accademia and Mr. Bonynge are available upon request.

Mr. Bonynge is available for interviews in person in New York City around the master class, and by phone over the summer.

For further details on the Georg Solti Accademia, this season's activities, its history, etc., please visit the Foundation's website at:
http://www.georgsoltiaccademia.org/

Press Contact:
Laura Grant, Grant Communications
917.359.7319; 212.600.0649
Laura@grant-communications.com