RICHARDSON, Texas (Nov. 2, 2005) — Robert Xavier Rodríguez, composer-conductor and professor at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), will direct the UTD Musica Nova ensemble in a free multi-media concert, Musical Pairs, on Friday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m., in the University Theatre on campus.
The evening will feature UTD graduate students and pianist/assistant director Jeff Lankov performing vocal and instrumental chamber music, with dance and projected images. Guest artists will include Kristi Swanson on viola and Brian Magnus on cello. According to Rodríguez, the program will consist “of imaginative pairing of contrasting compositions” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gioacchino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi, Gabriel Fauré, Claude Debussy, Leonard Bernstein, John Adams and Rodríguez. The concert will include a preview performance of an excerpt from Rodriguez’ new opera, La Curandera , with libretto by UTD faculty member Mary Medrick.
More information about this concert may be found at http://ah.utdallas.edu/season0506/musicanovafall.htm
UTD’s Chamber Music Ensemble provides opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to perform music written for small and larger ensembles, plus multi-media and theater works, of all periods. Musica Nova guest artists have included members of the Dallas Symphony and Dallas Opera Orchestra and singers from the New York City Opera and Metropolitan Opera. Music for past Musica Nova concerts has ranged from Medieval and Renaissance dances and motets to standard repertoire to experimental new works written for and/or developed by the ensemble. Concerts have included an evening of jigs, an evening of tangos, French cabaret and mariachi songs, chamber opera, ballet and a fully staged commedia dell’arte pantomime.
For information about the many musical, arts, theatre, dance and other performances and exhibitions held throughout the year at UTD, please call 972-UTD-ARTS (972-883-2787), e-mail utdarts@utdallas.edu, or visit the School of Arts and Humanities’ website at http://ah.utdallas.edu/. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations may call 972-883-2982, Texas Relay Operator: 1-800-RELAYVV.
About UTD
The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor, enrolls nearly 14,500 students. The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UTD, please visit the university’s website at www.utdallas.edu.