The Vancouver Island Opera's (VIO) Oceanside Recital Series begins this month and will feature praised soprano Szu-Wen Wang.
Artistic Director with VIO Tatiana Vasilieva said Wang is known to local audiences because of her performance as Cio-Cio-San in VIO's Madame Butterfly in 2009.
“Everybody said she was absolutely perfect for the role,” Vasilieva said. “She has such control and such an expressive voice, we’re so very happy to have been able to pursue her to come and sing this at this recital.”
Wang has performed with numerous opera companies out of Vancouver, receiving high praises for her roles playing The Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and Oriana in Amadigi, which snagged her a rave review in Opera Canada.
Wang holds a Bachelor's degree in vocal performance Taipei National University of the Arts, a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in vocal performance from the University of Texas at Austin, and was an artist in residence with Amarillo Opera.
Wang will sing a variety of art songs and arias at the upcoming concert, which includes a combination of many types of music, said Vasilieva, from artistic Italian-French songs to popular operatic music. Wang will be accompanied by pianist Nikolai Maloff at the concert on Sunday, Feb. 20.
Vasilieva said the tickets were made a very reasonable $15 in part to make it affordable for residents who may not be able to afford the main show later this year.
The concert takes place at the McMillan Art Centre Gallery (formerly the Oceanside Community Arts Council) in Parksville beginning at 3 p.m. and refreshments will be included.
Visit www.vancouverislandopera.com for more information.
reporter@pqbnews.com