Across the Arts with Patrick D. McCoy

For many couples whose marriages end in divorce, there is some solace found in monetary compensation or the gain of tangible belongings. But what happens when two people that once shared the gift of music no longer experience it together because of hurt feelings, anger or even resentment. Divorced couple, both opera singers Marlissa Hudson and Colin Eaton join the show to speak about their upcoming concert. This will be the first concert that they have sung together since the divorce. About the concert on March 17, 4:00 p.m. at All Soul's Unitarian Church, D. C. Marlissa Hudson and tenor Sargeant First Class Colin Eaton will perform a joint recital chronicling their journey of love, hurt, and reconciliation. Divorced since 2008, this will be their first time performing together since their marriage ended. When asked why she programmed this type of concert, Marlissa said “I see this recital as a real opportunity to share beautiful music that tells a story to which almost everyone can relate. Who hasn’t been touched by divorce in some way? Music is an amazing healer, and by sharing our story we hope to give others an opportunity to work through their own experiences while enjoying songs and arias written by great composers.” Marvin Mills, former All Souls music director, will be their collaborative pianist and premiere an arrangement on the program.

Co-Founders of D.C. newest, trend-setting orchestra, N. O. W. Grace Cho and Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez join Patrick for a lively and informative chat about the orchestra's inaugural concert season, "A TOAST TO SEASON ONE." The concert will take place at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary of Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ in Bethesda, MD. Appropriately themed, "A Toast to Season One" the concert features music inspired by fanfares, food and beverages. Celebratory in nature, the program will include Peter Maxwell Davies' "Fanfare for Lowry" performed by the James Madison University trumpet studio and NOW members Chris and Christine Carrillo. Also featured on the program is the exuberant "Cafe Music" by Paul Schoenfield and Aaron Jay Kernis' highly innovative "Le Quattro Stagioni Dalla Cucina Futurismo" for piano trio and narrator. Rounding out the concert, NOW will present "La Revue de Cuisine" by Bohuslav Martinu, a truly fun piece for an unusual combination of instruments.

Join us as we air the 2012 August Musicales Recital of soprano Lisa Edwards-Burrs at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA. She is accompanied by pianist Michael Simpson. Purcell-Music for A While, Hahn-A Chloris,Debussy-Fantoches, Bachelet-Chere Nuit, Richard Strauss-Zueignung, Schlagende Herzen and Befreit, Puccini-O mio babbino caro, Previn-I Can Smell the Sea Air, Charles Ingram-Weep No More You Sad Fountains, Dream Valley & Little Lamb, Dett-Ride On, King Jesus, Michael Simpson-Deep River, Charles Lloyd-Ain't A that-a Good News, Flanders/Swann-A Word on My Ear ENCORE: Work-This Little Light of Mine Lisa Edwards-Burrs, who has been described as “a soprano of crystalline beauty”,received degrees in Vocal Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia (B.M. and M.M.) and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. (D.M.A.). An accomplished lyric-coloratura soprano, her performances in recital, oratorio and chamber music are extensive. Her operatic roles include:Athena in The Furies, Ola/Harriet Tubman in Vanqui, Blanche in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Monica in The Medium, Despina in Così fan tutti, Treemonisha in Treemonisha, Adina in L’elisir d’amore and Poppea in L’incoronazione di Poppea.

THE OPERA DIVA SERIES returns with internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Michelle DeYoung. Ms. De Young will perform with Washington Concert Opera this weekend in Saint-Saens' Samson et Dalila The opera star drops in to chat with Patrick D. McCoy about the upcoming performance and her successful career as one of today's leading mezzo-sopranos. Michelle DeYoung has already established herself as one of the most exciting artists of her generation. She has appeared with many of the world's leading orchestras. Ms. DeYoung has also appeared with many of the finest opera houses of the world including the Metropolitan Opera. This season, Ms. DeYoung makes her debut at the Basel Opera as Amneris in Aida, sings Das Lied von der Erde with the Met Orchestra and Oedipus Rex with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, both conducted by James Levine, and appears in performances of Bluebeard's Castle with Esa-Pekka Salonnen and the New York Philharmonic.

In response to the keynote address by Wayne S. Brown, President and CEO of the Michigan Opera Theatre, our host and Washington Life Magazine performing arts columnist, Patrick D. McCoy moderates a panel discussion culminating the Community Symposium Series of the Colour of Music Festival with Dr. Karen Chandler of College of Charleston, Jennifer Bowman of the Washington based Folger Consort and Festival Founder, Lee Pringle. The Colour of Music Festival is one that celebrates the contributions and performance of blacks in the arena of classical music.