Michael Burgess replaces Cynthia Dale as co-host of the Black & White Opera Soirée on Feb. 15
January 29, 2003 -
Ottawa, Canada -- Michael Burgess will replace Cynthia Dale as
co-host with Richard Garneau of the Black & White Opera
Soirée, a joint fundraiser for the National Arts Centre
Orchestra and Opera Lyra Ottawa, on Saturday, February 15, 2003.
Cynthia Dale has had to withdraw because of professional scheduling
conflicts.
Michael Burgess, best known for his acclaimed performances as Jean
Valjean in Les Misérables, will join Richard Garneau,
Radio-Canada television and radio personality, to host the
Valentine's Day-themed concert, presented for the sixth
consecutive year by Bell Canada.
Michael Burgess's voice, deemed a 'national
treasure' by critics, has been heard at major events around the
world. In addition to performing as Jean Valjean over 1,200 times, he
has also starred as Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, among a
number of other musicals. A stage star who has now crossed into the
arena of recording artist, Burgess is accomplished in virtually every
entertainment medium: television, film, recording, and
performance.
The Black & White Opera Soirée features soprano Anne
Grimm, soprano Jackalyn Short, tenor Benjamin Butterfield and
baritone Joshua Hopkins. Music Director Pinchas Zukerman leads the
National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Opera Lyra Ottawa Chorus is
prepared by Laurence Ewashko.
Bell Canada is presenting the Black & White Opera
Soirée in association with Enbridge Gas Distribution,
Scotiabank and CBC/Radio-Canada. Special thanks go to Borden Ladner
Gervais LLP, Best Buy Canada, Diageo Canada Inc., Audi Canada/Mark
Motors of Ottawa, Petro-Canada, CIBC, Ekos Research, The Ottawa
Citizen, LeDroit, The Lowe-Martin Group, B!ddle McGillvray
Advertising, Air Canada, and The Ottawa Marriott.
Tickets to the concert are $45.00, $60.00 and $75.00. These may be
purchased at the NAC or Opera Lyra Ottawa Box Offices or through
Ticketmaster
at (613) 755-1111 (with applicable surcharges). Ticketmaster may also
be accessed through the NAC's web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.
Soirée tickets for $250 and $375 include the spectacular
pre-concert dinner, prime seating for the concert itself, and a
post-concert reception with the stars. The Impresario Boxes are sold
out but some Corporate Tables are still available. For information
about these tickets please call the NAC Foundation Office at (613)
947-7000, ext. 393.
