Performance to feature accomplished baritone alumnus

April 12, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida School of Music alumnus Nicholas Pallesen returns to UF for an exclusive musical performance April 20 featuring the University of Florida Concert Choir, Gainesville Civic Chorus and the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra.

The concert, “A German Requiem” by Johannes Brahms, will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2005, Pallesen gained recognition as a rising young talent in the opera scene and received the UF Alumni Association’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2007.

Pallesen repeatedly performs with the New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Last season, he covered the title role in the L.A. Opera’s “Eugene Onegin,” and he made his debut with the Baltimore Concert Opera in the role of Enrico in “Lucia di Lammermoor.”

In December 2012, Pallesen made his debut performance at Carnegie Hall singing Filippo in Bellini’s “Beatrice di Tenda” with the Collegiate Chorale. This season, Pallesen’s performance engagements include leading roles with the Fort Worth and Cincinnati Operas.

This year, the program features pieces from Brahms’ most world-renowned work, Ein deutsches Requiem. The UF Symphony Orchestra will begin the performance with Tragic Overture followed by the performances with the UF Concert Choir and the Gainesville Civic Chorus Master Chorale.

Will Kesling, distinguished conductor and UF School of Music professor, Will Kesling, will conduct the evening’s performances. Special guest conductor, Ingo Sautter, will conduct a Brahms’ folksong, “Erlaube mir fiens Madchen” and his “Ave Maria” for women’s voices and orchestra.

Pallesen will perform the leading baritone solo and Amy Maples will perform the leading soprano solo in “Ein Deutsches Requiem.” Maples is a concert soloist and opera soprano performer with a notable resume that includes performances with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra Kentucky and the Opera Colorado.

Concert tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors and free for UF students. They may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Phillips Center Box Office on UF campus.

For additional information about tickets or the performance, visit http://performingarts.ufl.edu.