Thomas Hampson to sing with ISO Feb. 23 at DPU

Monday, February 11, 2013
Thomas Hampson

Baritone Thomas Hampson, one of the world's greatest classical singers (and bit of a heart-throb), will perform with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in Greencastle on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. concert in the Green Center's Kresge Auditorium are available for advance purchase through the GCPA Box Office for $10.

Yes, you read that correctly. Tickets to hear the renowned baritone, which frequently sell for a hundred dollars -- or much, much more -- are $10. That is the general admission price for tickets to all events offered through the DePauw University School of Music Guest Artist Series.

A native of Elkhart, Hampson has appeared in major opera houses and concert halls the world over.

Not just tall in the stature of his reputation, with more than 170 recordings to his credit, the six-foot-four singer also has immense stage presence and an ability to command the spotlight that has made him a favorite of the big houses, such as the Met Opera in New York and Vienna Staatsoper, the leading house in Europe.

For his appearance in Greencastle, Hampson will sing

"Des Knaben Wunderhorn" ("The Youth's Magic Horn"), a suite of songs by the Gustav Mahler, the famed conductor of the Vienna State Opera from 1897 to 1907.

The cycle is unique in that rather than having been written with piano accompaniment, this particular group of songs was created with an orchestral setting. Joana Carneira will guest conduct the Saturday night performance with the ISO, which also includes Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 2 in C Major, opus 61.

It's been said that no one just "likes" Mahler, and the world-class baritone has taken the time and opportunity to delve deeply and with curiosity into the Viennese composer's legacy, having given more than 50 performances of the song cycle over the past two years, in celebration of the centennial of the composer's death in 1911.

So what's so compelling about this particular collection of songs?

Composed over the course of about 10 years, it contains some of the underpinnings of Mahler's great symphonies, which, nowadays, are considered essential repertoire for any orchestra. Its themes go far beyond simple musical raw material and melodies into the soul of the man himself. "Beginning," as music commentator Brian McCreath describes "with the protagonist's world-weary chuckle and ending with his broken heart."

"I'm not, typically, one to gush," Suzanne Hassler, marketing coordinator for the School of Music Guest Artist Series, said. "Hampson is truly one of the great artists of our time.

"This is a very competitive business but worldwide everyone agrees that he's the best. Not just a great singer," she added, "but an intelligent interpreter of the music -- and always gracious. Larger than life on every level."

Tickets to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concert, with guest baritone Thomas Hampson, are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the performance.

Anyone wanting to attend a Guest Artist Series event, who cannot afford to pay full ticket price, can also take advantage of the pay-what-you-can option. Admission to DePauw School of Music events is free to all students, youth 12 years and younger, and seniors over 65 years of age, along as tickets are available.

For additional information or assistance, contact the Green Center, 658-4827. Tickets may be purchased in person at GCPA Box Office, located at 605 S. College Ave., or online at www.depauw.edu/music/tickets.

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  • Such a wonderful opportunity to see a world class performmance!

    -- Posted by oldlady on Mon, Feb 11, 2013, at 7:18 PM
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