Mahler Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection"

May 16 - 7:30 pm, Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center

May 17 - 3:00 pm, Foster Performing Arts Center

David Waltman, conductor
Rainier Symphony Chorus
Kathryn Weld, mezzo-soprano
Rebecca Fay, soprano
Rebecca Ann McHugh, soprano

This concert is sponsored in part by 4Culture, Southcenter Rotary, and Lake Union Civic Orchestra.

Kathryn Weld

Mezzo-soprano Kathryn Weld comes to the Northwest, having performed extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. Her credits include two solo appearances with the New York Philharmonic, one with Charles Dutoit conducting and the other under the direction of Kurt Masur. She made her Carnegie Hall debut to critical acclaim in a performance of Bach's Mass in B Minor with Musica Sacra. While living in Germany, Ms. Weld was a featured soloist with such prominent ensembles as the Bavarian Radio Choir, the Consortium Musicum of Munich, and the Prague Philharmonic. Other international performances include those with the Sapporo Symphony and the Osaka Chamber Orchestras in Japan, the Mark Morris Dance Company, and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.

Within the Northwest, Weld has appeared with dozens of ensembles, including the Seattle Symphony, the Oregon Symphony, the Helena Symphony, the Wyoming Symphony, and the Portland Baroque Orchestra. With the latter she was heard in a live broadcast of Messiah on Nation Public Radio. Her 2008 appearances with the Seattle Symphony in Alexander Nevsky elicited strong praise for "her beauty of tone, a long line and a handsome shaping of Prokofiev's phrases". Seattle PI RM Campbell

On the stage, Ms. Weld has appeared with the Seattle Opera, the Regensburg Opera Theater in Germany, Opera Carolina, Tacoma Opera, and the State Repertory Opera of New Jersey, among others. A recent opera review had this to say; "Weld has a remarkable voice, an expressive mezzo with an unusual timbre: full and warm with depth and a light vibrato shaping it"

Acclaimed for her interpretations of lieder and contemporary art song, Ms. Weld is a favorite guest artist in chamber music concerts and in recital. Recent recital tours have included guest appearances in Paris, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. She has premiered the works of prominent composers such as John Harbison, Hans Gefors, and Bern Herbolsheimer. Weld serves as an Affiliate Artist Voice Faculty at Western Washington University and at Cornish College of the Arts.

Rebecca Fay

Rebecca Fay is a four-time award winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Her operatic roles include: Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, Musetta in La Boheme, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Amy in Little Women, Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Cinderella in Into the Woods, and Mrs. Hayes in Susannah. A native of Olympia, Washington, Rebecca has performed with many Northwest ensembles including engagements with the Lyric Opera Northwest, Bel Canto Northwest, the Northwest Sinfonietta, the Olympia Symphony, the Tacoma Concert Band, the University of Washington Orchestra, the University of Puget Sound Orchestra, the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia, the Lake Union Civic Orchestra, and the Capital Area Youth Symphony. Rebecca completed her graduate studies at Indiana University?s prestigious Jacobs School of Music where she was granted a Graduate Assistantship. At Indiana, she was a student of Metropolitan Opera star, Carol Vaness. During her time at IU, Rebecca was honored to represent the Jacobs School of Music in a private recital with the legendary conductor, Raymond Leppard. She was also chosen as a recitalist of Schubert lieder with Rodger Vignoles. Rebecca has a special affection for Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915, with which she won the University of Puget Sound?s Concerto/Aria Competition and additionally performed the work at the University of Washington. Rebecca spent the summers abroad in Vienna studying music and spent last summer at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. At Brevard, Rebecca performed the role of Amy in Little Women under the baton of the world premiere conductor of the work, Maestro Christopher Larkin. Rebecca has been a recipient of the Seattle Opera Guild Singers Training Grant and will perform for the Guild this spring. This summer she will be a recitalist for the Washington State Governor?s Mansion Chamber Music series.

Rebekah Ann McHugh

Rebekah Ann McHugh is thrilled to be appearing again with the Rainier Symphony after singing in the chorus for the 2008 Christmas concert. Most recently, Ms. McHugh has sung the roles of Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and Frasquita in Carmen , both with Bellevue Opera. Since moving to the Seattle area in 2004, she has appeared as Lady Ella in Patience with the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society and worked as a Dickens Caroler during the 2005 holiday season. She is also a member of the Cathedral Choir at University Presbyterian Church, where she frequently solos. Rebekah received her Bachelor?s of Music in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory in Boston. While there, she gave several solo recitals, sang with the New England Conservatory Chorus, performed with the light opera club, and appeared in the PBS special A Taste of Chanukah. Rebekah also has a love for musical theater, and has appeared as Polly Brown in The Boyfriend, and had smaller roles in Guys and Dolls, The Pajama Game, Finnian?s Rainbow, Anything Goes, and The Music Man. She also participated in the Second Annual Vocal Jazz Extravaganza in Carnegie Hall. Rebekah and her husband currently reside in Bothell.

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