Opera Rising Stars Concert Series Coming to Ford Center

Performance features some of opera's favorite arias, duets and classic performances

Rising Stars of the Metropolitan Opera will perform at the Gertrude C. Ford Center Sept. 28.

Rising Stars of the Metropolitan Opera will perform Sept. 28 at the Ford Center.

OXFORD, Miss. – The Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts will continue its Artist Series Monday (Sept. 28) with a performance by the Metropolitan Opera Rising Stars Concert Series.

The concert series tour allows opera fans around the country to see these extraordinary young performers beginning their careers. The event is to include performances by baritone David Won, pianist Brent Funderburk, mezzo-soprano Cecelia Hall, bass baritone Kevin Short and soprano Amanda Woodbury.

The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $17 for the mezzanine and balcony levels and $25 for orchestra and parterre levels. They are available online at http://fordcenter.org or at the UM Box Office inside the Ole Miss Student Union.

“We are looking forward to having these talented young opera stars to start the Ford Center’s 2015-16 season,” said Kate Meacham, Ford Center marketing director. “The audience can expect a wonderful evening of dynamic performances of some of opera’s favorite duets and arias, as well as some classic pieces from musical theater.”

Won made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2005 in a production of “Romeo et Juliette.” His most recent roles with the opera include roles in “Die Frau ohne Schatten” in 2013 and “Manon” in 2015. He has also won numerous international competitions and awards.

Praised by the New York Times as an excellent pianist, Funderburk has collaborated on numerous occasions with world-class singers and instrumentalists. He has made notable appearances in the Marilyn Horne Song Celebration at Zankel Hall and partnered with young artists as part of The Song Continues at Carnegie Hall.

Funderburk is also on the staff of the Ellen and James S. Marcus Insitute for Vocal Arts at the Juilliard School.

Hall has also been praised by The New York Times as “rich-voiced.” Hall is an alumna of the Met’s Young Artist Development Program and the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center. She is also an alumna of Juilliard School and a noted recitalist, performing several times at Carnegie Hall.

Short has performed in more than 20 operas at the Metropolitan Opera as well as other notable opera houses across the country. He is also an alumnus of Juilliard School and was the winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

Woodbury is an alumna of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program. She won the 2014 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions as well as many other awards in opera competitions.