ATLANTA -- Georgia State University School of Music hosts the 29th Harrower Summer Opera Workshop from June 4 to 24, 2012. Founded by Peter and Irene Harrower, the workshop is a three-week program including daily acting and movement classes, private coaching, instruction in stage makeup, stage combat and Alexander Technique, foreign language diction, seminars and masterclasses with international artists, and fully staged and costumed productions. Carroll Freeman, Valerie Adams Distinguished Professor in Opera at Georgia State and Classical Singer magazine's 2010 Director of the Year, serves as the Workshop's artistic director; GSU School of Music Director W. Dwight Coleman serves as general director. They lead a group of esteemed resident faculty, including this summer's guest artist and performer, internationally renowned singer Sylvia McNair. Ms. McNair will lead masterclasses for participants, in addition to performing at the annual Opera Gala on June 17.

A two-time Grammy Award winner, Sylvia McNair lays claim to a stellar, 25-year career in the musical realms of opera, oratorio, cabaret and musical theater. Her journey has taken her from the Metropolitan Opera to the Salzburg Festival, from the New York Philharmonic to the Rainbow Room, from the Ravinia Festival to The Plaza, from the pages of The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to the London Times. As a regular guest soloist with nearly all of the major American and European orchestras and opera houses, Ms. McNair has collaborated with an array of today's most prominent conductors including Seiji Ozawa, Kurt Masur, Leonard Slatkin, Andre Previn, Neville Marriner and the late Robert Shaw, the musician she credits with giving her the early and important opportunities that started her career. She earned a master's degree with distinction from the Indiana University School of Music, received honorary doctorates from Westminster College (1997) and Indiana University (1998) and the Ohio Governor's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Entertainment (1999). She joined the voice faculty of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in 2006. In 2007, Ms. McNair received The Gaudium Award from The Breukelein Institute for "extraordinary and distinctive contributions to the arts and public life."

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
For the second year, the Workshop will offer participants two separate tracks of study: the Young Artist Program is designed for more advanced singers; the Studio Program was created for singers looking to improve their skills in a nurturing, yet intensive environment.

The 2012 Workshop boasts an impressive faculty, including Carroll Freeman, artistic director/stage director (Georgia State University School of Music, New York City Opera, Edinburgh Festival, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Bobigny-Paris); W. Dwight Coleman, general director/masterclass clinician (Georgia State University School of Music, New Orleans Opera, Atlanta Opera, La Musica Lirica, Italy); Copeland Woodruff, acting teacher/stage director (Juilliard School of Music, University of Memphis, Oberlin, New York City Opera, Chautauqua Opera); Reed Woodhouse, musical director/coach (Juilliard School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, Chautauqua Opera); Frank Hube, musical director/conductor (Leipzig Opera, Theter Lbeck, Opera in the Ozarks); Walter Huff, masterclass clinician (Atlanta Opera, Peabody Opera Theatre, Washington Opera, Baltimore Opera); Kay Paschal, Studio director (Opera in the Ozarks; Georgia State University School of Music, La Musica Lirica); Rolando Salazar, Studio music director (Bellingham Festival of Music, Chamber Music Amarillo, Georgia State University School of Music); ChristinaNoel Reaves, movement (Dancewave, DanceNOW, Jody Oberfelder Dance Project); Chase Wagner, costuming (Theatrical Outfit); John Williams, lighting (Rubicon Studios); Marcus Durham, stage combat instructor (Atlanta Opera, Theatrical Outfit, Atlanta Ballet); Georgi Eberhard, makeup instruction (Chautauqua Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Carolina, Atlanta Opera); and Christy Lee and Lucy Hargis, coach-accompanists.

Seventy participants from across the United States were selected through a series of competitive live and taped auditions for the workshop and masterclasses.

GALA OPERA DINNER AT 103 WEST JUNE 17, 2012
In conjunction with the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop, the School of Music will present the Gala Opera Dinner at 103 West on Father's Day, Sunday, June 17, 2012, from 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. This fundraiser for Opera Studies at Georgia State features a gourmet three-course dinner including one glass of wine, accompanied by operatic performances by singers from the 2012 Harrower Summer Opera Workshop and special guest artist Sylvia McNair. Ms. McNair will also be available for a post-gala reception and CD signing for those purchasing a platinum level ticket. Dinner will be preceded by a silent auction featuring items ranging from golf outings to voice coachings, to concert and sporting event tickets, and much more.

Ticket Levels for the Gala are as follows:

103 West is located at 103 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA, 30305. Complimentary valet parking is included. Reservations are requested by June 11, 2012, and can be made by calling the School of Music at 404-413-5914.

PERFORMANCES OF DIE Zauberflote & A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC JUNE 22-24, 2012
The workshop will culminate in performances of two fully staged works. Performances of Mozart's Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) will take place Friday, June 22 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 23 at 3:00 p.m. Stage directed by Carroll Freeman with musical direction by conductor Frank Hube, this delightful opera tells the story of true lovers who must survive multiple magical ordeals before they can be together. Performances of Sondheim's A Little Night Music, stage directed by Copeland Woodruff with musical direction by Reed Woodhouse, will take place Saturday, June 23 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 24 at 3:00 p.m. Sondheim's brilliant music and lyrics reveal surprising liaisons, simmering passions and a taste of love's endless possibilities.

Tickets, available at the door, are $20 general admission and $10 students with ID. All performances will be held at the Florence Kopleff Recital Hall, located at the corner of Gilmer Street and Peachtree Center Avenue, inside the Arts & Humanities Building, on Georgia State's campus in downtown Atlanta. Parking is available for a fee at the Recital Hall "I" Lot (parking entrance on Peachtree Center Avenue).

For additional information, contact the Georgia State School of Music at 404-413-5914 or 404-413-5901 or visit www.music.gsu.edu.

CALENDAR LISTINGS

Gala Opera Dinner at 103 West
Sunday, June 17, 2012, 6:00 PM 9:30 PM
Carroll Freeman, artistic director; W. Dwight Coleman, general director
A fundraiser for Opera Studies at GSU, this gourmet, three-course dinner will feature singers from the 2012 Harrower Summer Opera Workshop and special guest artist SYLVIA McNAIR. Dinner will be preceded by a silent auction and followed by a CD signing with Ms. McNair (Platinum Ticket).
Venue:103 West, 103 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA, 30305. Complimentary valet parking included.
Cost:Silver Ticket - $120; Gold Ticket - $150; Platinum Ticket - $250
Contact:RSVP by June 11, 2012 to 404-413-5914

Mozart's Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute)
Friday, June 22, 2012-8:00 PM
Saturday, June 23, 2012-3:00 PM
Carroll Freeman, stage director
Frank Hube, musical director/conductor
Mozart's delightful opera tells the story of true lovers who must survive multiple magical ordeals before they can be together. Presented by participants in the 2012 Harrower Summer Opera Workshop.
Venue:Kopleff Recital Hall
Cost:$20 general admission, $10 students with ID. Tickets available at the door, cash and check only.
Contact:404-413-5901 or www.music.gsu.edu

Sondheim's A Little Night Music
Saturday, June 23, 2012-8:00 PM
Sunday, June 24, 2012-3:00 PM
Copeland Woodruff, stage director
Reed Woodhouse, musical director
Sondheim's brilliant music and lyrics reveal surprising liaisons, simmering passions and a taste of love's endless possibilities. Presented by participants in the 2012 Harrower Summer Opera Workshop.
Venue:Kopleff Recital Hall
Cost:$20 general admission, $10 students with ID. Tickets available at the door, cash and check only.
Contact:404-413-5901 or www.music.gsu.edu