Jazz-opera duo a unique blend

Oct 18, Salmon Arm / Oct 19, Kamloops –

Toronto-based pianist Chris Donnelly and soprano Natalie Donnelly will undoubtedly delight audiences with a unique mixed genre concert of jazz and opera when they perform in Salmon Arm and Kamloops.

Chris Donnelly is a Toronto-based pianist, composer and improviser known for his musicality, versatility and ability to captivate an audience.

Soprano Natalie Donnelly is quickly becoming one of Canada’s bright young opera stars. She is in high demand for both solo performances and opera productions throughout Canada.

“When Chris and Natalie Donnelly perform, it seems that jazz and opera mix perfectly.” — Barrie Examiner

Chris Donnelly

Chris  has had the distinct privilege of performing with Canadian greats Ted Quinlan, John Macleod, Adi Braun, William Carn, Quinsin Nachoff, Tara Davidson, Lina Allemano Heather Bambrick and Andrew Downing.

As well as working with numerous musicians in a variety of contexts, Chris enjoys playing solo piano repertoire consisting of originals, jazz standards and other compositions with cross-genre qualities from Egberto Gismonti to Nikolai Kapustin. His talent, perseverance and good fortune have led him to perform in various concert halls throughout Toronto including Roy Thomson Hall, CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio, MacMillian Theatre, Walter Hall and the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the new Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

In April 2007, Chris performed at the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville Florida where he received 2nd place as part of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition. Most recently, Chris performed in Nottingham, England where he was selected as a finalist in the 2008 Nottingham National Jazz Piano Competition.

Upon completing his Masters of Music in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto, Chris was awarded The Tecumseh Sherman Rogers Graduating Award for students ‘deemed to have the greatest potential to make an important contribution to the field of music.’ He previously attended their undergraduate program for jazz performance where he had the opportunity to perform alongside top international musicians such as Kurt Elling, Lee Konitz, and Rich Perry. Throughout his career at the University of Toronto, Chris studied with David Braid, Gary Williamson, Brian Dickinson, Paul Read, Kirk MacDonald, Alexander Rappoport, and Russell Hartenberger.

Chris is currently on faculty at the University of Toronto and has previously worked as a faculty member of the Humber College Community Music School, Prairielands Jazz Camp and the National Music Camp of Canada. In September 2008, Chris released a solo-piano, debut album featuring a blend of original material and arrangements of jazz standards. His future endeavors as a performing artist continue to look promising and is dedicated to bringing his music to a national and international audience.

Natalie Donnelly

After completing her Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance at the University of Toronto, Natalie has appeared as a soloist and guest artist with various Opera companies throughout the greater Toronto area. Within the past few years, Natalie has performed numerous operatic roles including the title roles in Suor Angelica and Madama Butterfly, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni and Mimì in La Bohème.

Natalie had the honour of singing at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in a gala commemorating Artistic Director Giuseppe Macina. She also had the opportunity to perform alongside Canadian baritone Russell Braun with the Brampton Lyric Opera Orchestra, and with acclaimed tenor Mario Zhang at the Toronto Centre for the Arts with Orchestra Toronto.

In March 2007, Natalie performed the role of Violetta in La Traviata with both Opera York and Toronto Opera Repertoire. Natalie spent last summer in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she performed Contessa Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro with Halifax Summer Opera. “She sang the role with a full, fruity sound, and hit all the right emotional targets” (The Halifax Herald).

Natalie traveled to New York City in February 2009 as one of twelve singers invited to participate in the V.O.I.C.Experence young artist program. She had the opportunity to work with distinguished performers and coaches including Joan Dornemann, Maria Zouves, and Sherrill Milnes.

In April 2009, Natalie performed the lead role of Matilde in the world premiere of the contemporary opera, “I Confess, I Have Lived.” Following this performance, Natalie joined the Canadian Operatic Arts Academy, performing scenes from Der Rosenkavalier and La Bohème.

More information about the artists can be found at their web sites:
http://www.chrisdonnellymusic.com
http://www.nataliedonnelly.com

Salmon Arm –

Date: October 18
Showtime: 7:30
Venue: Salmar Classic Theatre, 360 Alexander Ave, Salmon Arm BC
Tickets: Salmar Theatre http://www.salmartheatre.com

Kamloops –

Date: October 19
Showtime: 7:30
Venue: St Paul’s Cathedral, 360 Nicola St, Kamloops BC
Tickets: Kamloops Live Box Office 250-374-5483 http://www.kamloopslive.com

These concerts are joint presentations between Entertainment Management and BC Living Arts.