Hotel Rex, San Francisco
Humanities West’s first Salon at the Rex. Ars Minerva presents Bringing Lost Italian Carnival Music to the Stage. Join Artistic Director and mezzo-soprano Céline Ricci and pianist Derek Tam performing and in conversation about their upcoming mid-March Premier of the Lost Baroque Opera La Cleopatra. Join us in the Library Bar at the Hotel Rex at 5:00 PM for a pre-program drink.
About the Performers
Céline Ricci is Artistic Director of Ars Minerva, a presenter of world premiere Baroque Operas in Festival. Its first is La Cleopatra at Marines’ Memorial Theatre on March 14 and 15, 2015. She studied in Paris with Ana Maria Miranda and at the prestigious London Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Selected by conductor William Christie for Les Jardin des Voix, she was named one of opera’s promising new talents in 2005 by Opernwelt, which singled out her performance as Arbace in Terradellas’ Artaserse as a “tour de force,” and her coloratura abilities “equal to those of Cecilia Bartoli.” She appears frequently for the prestigious Les Arts Florissants. Her discography includes Cirque (2011) and a CD of French melodies (2012). Recent operas include Angelica in Handel’s Orlando (Sacramento Opera), Clitia in Handel’s Teseo (Göttingen-Handel Festival), Handel’s Athalia (Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra), Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (numerous companies). Collaborating conductors include Nicolas McGegan, Hugo Reyne, Friedmann Layer, P. Cohen-Akenine, Enrique Mazzola, Jean-Christophe Spinosi, Martin Haselbock, Martin Gester, Timm Rolek. She has toured in Berlin, London, Brussels, Israel, and Barcelona, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam, Moscow, and St. Petersburg.
In demand as a conductor and historical keyboardist, Derek Tam performs regularly in the Bay Area and elsewhere. As a conductor, Derek appears frequently with choral and orchestral ensembles. In addition to serving as Director of Music at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, he is music director of the Berkeley Community Chorus Chamber Singers. He is also artistic director of Star Valley Children’s Choir. In addition to his conducting career, Derek is a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist on various historical keyboards, from the harpsichord and fortepiano to the modern concert grand. He has served as continuo harpsichordist in many professional ensembles in the Bay Area, as well as with his own groups, MUSA and the Alchemy Trio.
Bringing Lost Italian Carnival Music to the Stage will be presented at the Hotel Rex, 562 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Tickets are available through City Box Office.