International operatic superstar Ben Heppner will join the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra for a special gala performance next March.
Landing such a celebrated, Grammy Award-winning guest artist to perform at the March 26 fundraising gala at the Red Deer College Arts Centre is very exciting news for the RDSO’s executive-director Melody McKnight.
She considers Heppner to be one of the greatest heroic tenors who have been seen and heard in generations.
“This gala allows us to meet our patrons’ demands for more performances in our season, with an internationally acclaimed guest artist. It will also involve the entire orchestra in the gala for the first time,” stated McKnight in a release.
Unlike previous RDSO galas, which have involved a dinner and auction format, the 7:30 p.m. event with Heppner will focus on his performance. The Canadian singer, who studied at the University of British Columbia and came to national attention after winning a CBC talent show in 1979, will perform operatic favourites with a large orchestra for the first half of the concert, then deliver a solo repertoire with a pianist for the second half.
A pre-concert champagne reception and a post-concert dessert reception will be provided.
McKnight said the RDSO will no doubt go back to the dinner and auction format for future galas, but she believes patrons will enjoy the change in 2014.
Heppner is known worldwide for his dramatic tenor voice, which has been unleashed on operatic stages and concert halls around the world. He has been praised for the beauty of his voice, his incisive musicianship and generosity with audiences.
Heppner’s challenging repertoire includes everything from Wagner’s Tristan and Lohengrin, to Verdi’s Otello and Berlioz’s Aeneas.
He won Grammy Awards in 1998 for his recording of Die Meistersinger and in 2001 for his recording of Les Troyens with the London Symphony Orchestra.
Heppner fans might want to get a head start on reserving tickets, which are available now through the Black Knight Ticket Centre for $150 ($125 for RDSO season ticket holders).