On Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Church, St. Philip’s Friends of Music presents The Strauss Divas with sopranos Dianne Iauco, Mary Paul, and Amy Williams, accompanied by pianist Bonnie Bird. Richard Strauss’ preference for the soprano voice above all others is evident in his operas and songs. Three diverse sopranos (dramatic, lyric, and coloratura) combine forces to showcase some of Strauss’ most compelling, most beguiling, and most beloved vocal music, including selections from Der Rosenkavalier, Ariadne auf Naxos, Arabella, and a variety of songs.

Pianist Bonnie Bird; Sopranos Dianne Iauco, Amy Williams, Mary Paul

The suggested concert admission is $20 per person. The mission of Friends of Music is to enrich the musical experience of the parish and community through events such as concerts, outreach, education, scholarships, commissions, and support of special musical events. For more information click here or call (520) 222-7277

St. Philip’s is located at 4440 N. Campbell Avenue at River Road. Ample parking is available in the north parking lot or under our solar parking structure on the east side. The Friends of Music phone number is (520) 222-7277.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Dianne Iauco, Soprano. Dianne Iauco has been acclaimed by The New York Times, Indianapolis Star, Opera News and other leading publications across the U.S. for her distinctive timbre, effortless coloratura, remarkable vocal compass and her captivating presence onstage. A winner of the Second Opera Company of Philadelphia/Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition—after which she sang opposite Mr. Pavarotti—Ms. Iauco served as a principal artist at New York City Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Opera Orchestra of New York, Opera Columbus, Texas Opera Theater, Indianapolis Opera, and Western Opera Theater, Israeli Vocal Arts Institute, and numerous other regional companies. Born in Syracuse, NY, Ms. Iauco was raised in Indianapolis, IN, and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Cincinnati College‑Conservatory of Music, as well as an Artist’s Certificate in Opera Performance. A former national winner of the Metropolitan Opera auditions, she resides in Tucson with her husband, basso Arizeder Urreiztieta, and their daughter.

Mary Paul, Soprano. Hailed for her flawless coloratura and impeccable phrasing, Mary Paul has been acclaimed in major roles in the operas of Mozart, Verdi, Donizetti, Johann Strauss and Richard Strauss, most notably as The Queen of the Night, Susanna, Blonde, Despina, Gilda, Oscar, Marie, Norina, Adèle, Sophie, Zerbinetta and Olympia. She has performed with the opera companies of Washington, DC, Miami, Utah, Arizona, Indianapolis, Sacramento, Chautauqua, Sarasota, Knoxville, Milwaukee, Chattanooga and Michigan, and as soprano soloist with Milwaukee Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, Napa Valley Symphony, Bel Canto Festival, Chicago’s Dame Myra Hess Concert Series, Bella Carità Chamber Orchestra, and St. Philip’s Friends of Music concert series. A gifted and engaging teacher, Ms. Paul maintains a private voice studio in Tucson, AZ and has given guest recitals and master classes at New York University, Queens College, Aquinas College, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Utah, and University of Northern Iowa. Ms. Paul earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in voice at the University of Arizona, and resides in Tucson with her husband, baritone Lawrence Alexander, and their two children.

Amy Street Williams, Soprano. Amy Street Williams has been singing in the chorus of the Arizona Opera Company for past 15 seasons. She has sung in 39 productions with the company both as a chorister and in comprimario roles. She studied voice at Indiana University with Teresa Kubiak and Virginia Zeani. While she was there she sang the role of the Beggar Woman in their production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. Recently she sang the role of Olga in Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow and the role of The Monitor in Giacomo Puccini’s Suor Angelica with the Southern Arizona Opera Company. She lives in Tucson, studying voice with Lawrence Alexander and coaching with Bonnie Bird.

Bonnie Bird, piano. Bonnie Bird studied at the Juilliard Prep Division as a teen, later earning a bachelor’s degree in piano from Westminster Choir College in Princeton. She continued her musical studies at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music. She later earned a Master of Music degree in accompanying and voice from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Following a year of teaching at CCM, she spent six years at Edgecliff College in Cincinnati as instructor in voice and opera. Following a 20-year residence in Germany, Ms. Bird now makes Tucson her home and is on the staff at the University of Arizona School of Music voice department as an accompanist and coach. She also maintains a private voice studio.