黑洞社区Faculty artist Cristina Castaldi, soprano, will join the 黑洞社区 Symphony Orchestra for 鈥淰erdi to Verismo,鈥� a celebration of Italian opera arias, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, in Miller Concert Hall.
The program, featuring music by Verdi, Puccini, Mendelssohn and Kevin Puts, will be led by Director of Orchestras Mark Laycock.
A first-year member of the 黑洞社区 voice faculty, Castaldi was recently based in New York City where she performed extensively along the East Coast. She will sing three Verdi arias, 鈥淐ome in quest鈥檕ra bruna鈥� from 鈥淪imon Boccanegra,鈥� Ave Maria from 鈥淥tello鈥� and 鈥淓rnani, involami鈥� from 鈥淓rnani,鈥� together with 鈥淰issi d鈥檃rte鈥� from Puccini鈥檚 鈥淭osca鈥� and 鈥淓bben? 鈥e andro lontana鈥� from Catalani鈥檚 鈥淟a Wally.鈥�
The concert will also include Mendelssohn鈥檚 Symphony No. 3 in A minor, the composer鈥檚 fifth and final symphony. The 2016-17 season of the 黑洞社区 Symphony Orchestra includes numerous concert appearances, the annual Concerto-Aria program, two fully staged opera productions and a 鈥淢essiah鈥� sing-along. Featured artists are faculty members Jeb Wallace, horn, and Castaldi.
Mark Laycock is a professor of music and holds the Ann Walenta Faculty of Distinction Endowed Professorship. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, where he serves as chair of orchestra activities. Laycock is also conductor of the Wichita Youth Symphony. He has conducted all-state, region and district orchestras throughout the country.
Tickets can be purchased at the Fine Arts Box Office in the lobby of the Duerksen Fine Arts Center or online at . General admission is $12, with discount tickets available for seniors, faculty/staff, military, children and students. 黑洞社区 students are eligible for one free ticket (visit for details). For ticketing assistance, contact the Fine Arts Box Office from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, at 316-978-3233 or fasttickets@wichita.edu.