EVENT: Opera star Mitchell to perform at UCO, conduct classes, workshop
DATE: Beginning January 24
 Leona Mitchell, well known as one of America’s leading Lyric-spinto sopranos and native of Enid, Oklahoma, will be on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma for two weeks in January as an Artist-in-Residence, and will perform an open-to-the-public concert at UCO’s Mitchell Hall Theater on Jan. 24. |
Leona Mitchell, well known as one of America’s leading Lyric-spinto sopranos and a native of Enid, will be on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma for two weeks in January as an Artist-in-Residence.
While at UCO, Mitchell will work with the Director of the School of Music, the head of the Vocal Arts division and the voice faculty to design performance enrichment opportunities for voice majors with an emphasis on opera and classical vocal art.
In addition, Mitchell will conduct master’s-level classes and an opera workshop, coach select students, and will teach Italian and French diction classes.
Mitchell’s three-week stay at UCO will begin with a concert at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 24 at the university’s Mitchell Hall Theater.
Following the concert will be a champagne and desert reception for Mitchell in UCO’s Evans Hall.
Mitchell is in demand the world over for opera, concerts, recitals and television appearances. She has been a particular favorite at New York’s Metropolitan Opera, where she has performed for 18 consecutive seasons.
It was at the Met that Mitchell premiered the eagerly awaited production of “Aida” in 1988.
She has sung nearly 200 performances of this well-received opera throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia and has performed in countless other operas worldwide.
Mitchell received her bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University, and went on to graduate studies at the Julliard School of Music in New York.
Mitchell first received international attention in the role of Bess in the first complete stereo recording of Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.”
She has recently recorded a Christmas album and is planning an album of spirituals.
For more information on Mitchell’s visit to UCO and her Jan. 24 performance at Mitchell Hall Theater, call the UCO School of Music at (405) 974-5004.