Opera legend, Gossett team up for 'Catherine Malfitano Unveiled'

Opera legend Catherine Malfitano will discuss her career and her views on opera with Philip Gossett, the Robert W. Reneker Distinguished Service Professor in Music and Dean of the Humanities Division, during "Catherine Malfitano Unveiled: A Conversation" at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, in Mandel Hall. The discussion is free and open to the public.

"Catherine Malfitano is perhaps the most courageous and compelling singer of our generation," said Gossett, whose distinguished scholarship on opera has received international attention. "Whether as Berg's Lulu or Puccini's Cio-cio-san, Janacek's Elena Makropolous or Verdi's Lina in Stiffelio, or starring in world premieres of operas by William Bolcolm, Conrad Susa or Carlisle Floyd, she is a performer without peer in her commitment to opera as a musical and dramatic whole."

Malfitano, who recently moved to Chicago, is performing the title role in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's current production of Richard Strauss's Salome. She has been noted for the energy and passion she brings to her roles. Her "physical grace and vocal versatility," as described in November's Chicago magazine, have earned her a wide range of roles in her more than 20 years on stage. An international star, she won an Emmy for her 1992 televised performance of Puccini's Tosca, which was broadcast around the world.

Malfitano is coming to campus as the Regents Park Opera Lecturer. The lecture was established by Martha and Bruce Clinton in honor of Douglas Baird, Dean of the Law School. Regents Park, an apartment complex in Hyde Park, is owned and operated by The Clinton Company. Samuel Ramey was last year's Regents Park Opera lecturer. For more information, call 702-3315.