ROCHESTER, N.Y.—A memorial concert celebrating the life and contributions of Richard Pearlman (1937 — 2006) will be held Saturday November 4 at 2 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music, 26 Gibbs St.
Pearlman was part of the Eastman community as dramatic director of Eastman Opera Theatre beginning in 1976. He left Eastman in 1995 to become director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Center for American Artists.
Noted for his development of young American talent and innovative approach to opera, Pearlman has staged productions for the Santa Fe and San Francisco Operas, Wolf Trap Opera, Spoleto Festival, Chicago Opera Theatre, and other world-renowned companies. His translations of La bohème, La périchole, Faust, and La finta giardiniera are frequently performed throughout the United States. Pearlman served as the director of opera for the Aspen Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, and the Washington Opera.
The program will include staged concert performances from selected pieces from opera and musical theatre inspired by and associated with Pearlman’s productions including: Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), Mozart; La bohème, Puccini; L’etoile, Chabrier; Showboat, Kern; Le nozze di Figaro, Mozart and Lost in the Stars, Weill. Also, several former colleagues and personal friends will offer reflections and comments.
Performing will be Pearlman’s former colleagues and students as well as current Eastman faculty and students.
For more information, call 585/342-0173.
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