Soprano Janai Brugger is returning to Chicago for a one-of-a-kind musical event on Oct. 19 when she joins baritone Jeff Mattsey for “A Grand Night for Singing” as a part of the Mesirow Financial Presents! concert series. Both singers are alumni from the DePaul University School of Music. (Photo by Dario Acosta)CHICAGO — Two of DePaul University School of Music’s most celebrated alumni are returning to Chicago for a one-of-a-kind musical event. Soprano Janai Brugger and baritone Jeff Mattsey join together Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. for “A Grand Night for Singing” as a part of the Mesirow Financial Presents! concert series.
Performing popular works from opera and musical theatre, these singers offer audiences a rare opportunity to experience their talent up-close, for a one-night-only concert, hosted in Mesirow Financial’s James C. Tyree Auditorium, 353 N. Clark St.
Brugger was recently named by Opera News as one of the top 25 young talents on the opera scene. A 2005 DePaul alumna, Brugger won both the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and Placido Domingo’s Operalia vocal competition in 2012. In that same year, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Liù in “The Enchanted Island.”
Mattsey, a 1985 DePaul alumnus, made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1997 in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” He celebrated his 100th performance with the company last season as Señor Cascada in “The Merry Widow.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff and Janai back to Chicago to perform for this wonderful event. DePaul Opera Theatre has been central to the development of a number of singers and it is always our pleasure to see our former students thriving in the world of opera,” said Harry Silverstein, director of DePaul Opera Theatre.
“Both Jeff and Janai’s voices bring a richness of sound that will leave the audience wanting more,” Silverstein added.
Baritone Jeff Mattsey is returning to Chicago for a one-of-a-kind musical event on Oct. 19 when he joins soprano Janai Brugger for “A Grand Night for Singing” as a part of the Mesirow Financial Presents! concert series. Both singers are alumni from the DePaul University School of Music. (Photo by Jay Kriegsman)The program for the event will be introduced by Sasha Gerritson, a School of Music alumna and DePaul University board trustee. Musical selections will include: “Summertime” from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess;” “Some Enchanted Evening” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific;” “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi;” “Stars” from Claude-Michel Schönberg’s “Les Misérables;” and “All I Ask of You” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera.”
Tickets to “A Grand Night for Singing” are available for $100 and may be purchased online at http://music.depaul.edu, by calling 312-362-8455 or emailing eventRSVP@depaul.edu. All proceeds will benefit the DePaul University School of Music Scholarship Endowment Fund.
The DePaul University School of Music, founded in 1912, is dedicated to excellence in music performance and teaching. The school offers high-caliber, challenging programs in performance, composition, music education, jazz studies, performing arts management and sound recording technology. The more than 110 faculty members bring a wealth of knowledge and professional music experience to their teaching. Faculty members perform in many of Chicago’s renowned music organizations, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Chamber Musicians and Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. Additional information about the DePaul University School of Music is available at http://music.depaul.edu or 773-325-7260.
Mesirow Financial Presents! demonstrates Mesirow Financial's commitment to sustaining Chicago's culturally rich fine arts community. Through fundraising performances that directly benefit nonprofit organizations, guests are provided an inspired and unique experience. Additional information at http://mesirowfinancial.com.
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Media Contact:
Rita Mannelli
rmannell@depaul.edu
(773) 325-4356
Carol Hughes
chughe23@depaul.edu
312-362-8592