OPERA MUSIC THEATER INTERNATIONAL
 
  
 JAMES K. MCCULLY,  President  &  General Director

Dame Joan Sutherland & Maestro Richard Bonynge
International Honorary Chairs

"Mr. McCully, it is great that you are doing such good work to help young singers, and we both wish you the greatest of success.
We are happy to be on the Advisory Board and to serve as International Honorary Chairs."
Dame Joan Sutherland & Maestro Richard Bonynge, The Metropolitan Opera, International Artists

Marjorie Lawrence Vocal Competition Was Clearly A Success
By Russell P. Allen - National Endowment for the Arts and OPERA America consultant, general manager for Atlanta Opera, Virginia Opera, and numerous symphony orchestras.

WASHINGTON DC - Opera Music Theater International, under the direction of James K. McCully, Jr., presented the concluding concert of the Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Competition featuring the 2001 competition winners. The concert occurred at the National Museum of Women in the Arts with accompanist Maestro Neal Goren. Underwriters for the performance included the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, US Airways, Yamaha Artist Services.

The 2001 Competition Winners Concert following the Marjorie Lawrence Competition presented excellent young talent and showcased a vocal selection by each winner that emphasized their level of accomplishment. First to perform were the Studio Artist Division Winners. These three performances were followed by performances from the three winners in the Artist Division.

Listing in the OPERA America Audition Connection

    

Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Competition Award Winners, Artist Division-Charles Reid, Lorraine Hinds & Anna Tonna.
Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Competition Award Winners, Studio Division-Cristina Nassif, Chen Reiss & Michele Gutrick.
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington DC

The event clearly was a success.  All six were accomplished singers with clearly defined technique and obvious good training. As might be expected, the Artist Division winners were most professional - offering a higher degree of vocal expertise - though all six gave excellent performances.

The concert was well attended, and judging by the applause, a most appreciative audience was showing its support of the quality of each performance. Clearly the audience wanted to acknowledge and support the achievement of these six artists.

    

The presentation itself was both professional and entertaining. The event highlighted the benefits of concert recital performance, offering young artists the opportunity to perform before a knowledgeable and critical audience. That the Competition culminates in live public performance is to be commended.

Michele Gutrick, third place winner in the Studio Artist Division, began the concert performing "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta" from LA RONDINE by Giacomo Puccini. She did an admirable job, particularly considering that she opened the program with a lesser-known selection. She exhibited good breath control in some extended passages and clearly understood the context of the piece.

Chen Reiss, second place winner in the Studio Artist Division, performed next and did a show-stopping performance of Adele's Laughing Song ("Mein Herr Marquis, ein Mann wie Sie") from Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss. Clearly relaxed and at ease with the repertoire selection, Ms. Reiss got into the role and showed mastery of her selection.

First place winner in the Studio Artists Division, Cristina Nassif, exhibited why she was the winner of the division with an expressive "Bel raggio luginghier" aria from Gioacchino Rossini's SEMIRAMIDE. Ms. Nassif was very relaxed and well into the character. With a quality of sound that was striking for her age, she projected very well into the hall. Her excellent vocal technique made her performance memorable.

    

    

  Competition Winners Nassif, Reiss, & Gutrick

  Competition Winners Reid, Heinz, & Tonna

                   

Metropolitan Opera Judges  Evelyn Lear, Dominic Cossa, Mattiwilda Dobbs, Ryan Edwards & Thomas Stewart

"The Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Competition is an excellent opportunity for young singers to hone their craft and perform competitively with their peers.
The competition is open to all singers whose operatic repertoire and vocal caliber meet the demands of an international career.
The event clearly was a success!"

Russell P. Allen, National Endowment for the Arts & OPERA America Consultant
General Manager of the Atlanta Opera, Virginia Opera & numerous symphony orchestras

YAMAHA

OMTI Official Piano: Yamaha C7 Conservatory Concert Grand

 

Listing in the OPERA America Audition Connection

 
Cristina Nassif
$1,500		 Chen Reiss
$1,000		 Michelle Gutrick
$750
Charles Reid
$3,000		 Lorraine Hind
$2,000		 Anna Tonna
$1,000
     

Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Awards
James K. McCully, Chairman

His Excellency Ambassador & Mrs. Juan Carlos Esquerra
Colombian Ambassador to the United States of America

International Honorary Patrons

    

    

Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Award Winner-Artist Division, Gilung Yun - Seoul, Korea.
Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Award Winner-Studio Division, Jeremy Hedrick - Denton, Texas.

         

         

Metropolitan Opera Judges Shirley Verrett, George Shirley, Evelyn Lear & Thomas Stewart
Washington National Opera, Artistic Administrator, Edward Purrington
Opera Orchestra of New York, Music Director, Maestra Eve Queler

The Embassy of Colombia, Washington DC
 

OMTI Official Sponsor: Ancient & Accepted Freemasons
& Independent Order of Odd Fellows
 

US AIRWAYS

OMTI Official Airline: US Airways
 

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