Volume CXXXIII, Number 6 October 19, 2001 f

Mazzo-Soprano to visit Bowdoin
EKA THOMSON
STAFF WRITER

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania D'Anna Fortunato, a mezzo soprano, is well known for her richly textured voice, superior musical intelligence, and versatility. She studied at the New England Conservatory of Music where she is now a voice professor. She sings twentieth century music and has performed music by lesser known composers such as Amy Beach, Clara Schumann, and Franz Liszt among others.

Robert Greenlee, Chamber Choir and World Music Ensemble Director remarked that "D'Anna Fortunato is usually either very much appreciated or strongly disliked."

D'Anna Fortunato, an acclaimed mezzo-soprano, will perform at Bowdoin. (Courtesy of dispeker.com)

Ms. Fortunato sings with several important symphonies, such as The New York Philharmonic and The Boston Symphony with whom she is a firm favorite. She is a long term member with Bach Aria Group and has made several appearances with Roger Norrington. As far as concert organizations, she has been a soloist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Centre, the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, and Berlin's Spectrum Concerts.

In 1997, Ms. Fortunato celebrated her twentieth season as a soloist with both the Monadnock Festival and the Marblehead Festival. In the winter of 1998 and spring of '99, she participated and performed in Mozart's Le Nozze de Figaro with the Boston Lyric Opera. During the summer of 1999, she sang with the Santa Fe Symphony, which is in New Mexico and performed in Handel's Solomon.

Her recent recordings include the premiere CD of Handel's Alaxander Balus with the Brewer Consort and the title role in Handel's Faramondo. Also, not too long ago, she received the Jacobo Peri Award from the New England Opera Club for her service to the Classical Vocal field. Ms.Fortunato also won the 2001 Best Record of the Year from New York Magazine, the Boston Globe, and the New York Post.

D'Anna Fortunato will be performing at Bowdoin College on October 21, 2001 at 3:30 p.m. The concert will take place in Kresge Auditorium at the Visual Arts Centre. She will perform music by "New England Composers at the Turn of Two Centuries" with composer and pianist John McDonald. The program includes "Three Songs" by Arthur Foote, four songs by Amy Beach, and three songs by Michael C. Viens, Bowdoin class of 1975.