Jeffrey Ray to present A Vocal Recital
Joliet's own "sterling voice" Jeffrey Ray, whose rich baritone voice has been heard in concert halls throughout America and Europe, will perform Sunday, Nov. 23 at the University of St. Francis.
Ray will present A Vocal Recital featuring works by W.A. Mozart, Paul Bowles, Richard Wagner, Richard Strauss, Maurice Ravel, Douglas Moore, Aaron Copeland, Frederick Lowe and Richard Rodgers. The performance will be at 3 p.m. in the university's Moser Performing Arts Center auditorium. Tickets are $20; $15 for students and senior citizens. To reserve seats, call (815) 740-3404.
One
music critic noted that Ray is "possessed
with a rich baritone voice;" another called
his talent "the sterling voice." The
American Opera Society, the Chicago Union League
and the American Berlin Opera Foundation have
honored Ray. He is also regularly the soloist
for the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and Cubs teams,
singing the National Anthem.
Ray has been heard in both opera and concert halls throughout America and Europe. He made his European opera debut at Deutsche Oper, Berlin in 1997, and since then has been regularly heard with the company. Recently he sang in productions of The Magic Flute, Hansel and Gretel, Madama Butterfly, Moses und Aron and The Cunning Little Vixen. In 2002, he sang the lead role in Stephen Paulus' opera The Three Hermits for the opening of the Madeleine Festival of the Arts. In 2003, returned to Salt Lake City for the Utah Opera's production of La Boheme.
Ray's orchestral engagements have included two appearances at the world famous Carnegie Hall, including in Handel's Messiah and Ralph Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem.
Ray,
who teaches voice at the University of St. Francis,
received his opera training at the Lyric Opera
of Chicago's prestigious program, Lyric Opera
Center for American Artists. In Chicago, he sang
the title role in Gianni Schicchi, Figaro
in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Coppelois in
Les Contes d'Hoffmann and Tobias in IOU
Wedding.
The University of St. Francis, at 500 Wilcox St. in Joliet, serves more than 4,300 students nationwide.