The Gazette

Issue date: 12/2/09 Section: News

Media Credit: photo from public relations Leona Mitchell, internationally acclaimed opera singer, will perform at this years Holiday Concert on Dec. 3.

An internationally acclaimed opera singer will headline Langston University's 25th Annual President's Holiday Concert.

Leona Mitchell will take the stage at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, in Langston University's C.F. Gayles Gymnasium. Admission is free to the general public.

Mitchell, formerly with the New York Metropolitan Opera, will join LU's Concert Choir and Orchestra as they perform "Liberame" from Requiem by Giuseppe Verde.

Inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 1983, the Lyrico-spinto soprano first garnered national attention when she debuted as "Micaela" in Bizet's 1875 opera "Carmen" with the San Francisco Opera in 1973. In 1975, Mitchell received critical acclaim when she debuted in that same role of "Micaela" with the Metropolitan Opera in New York. That same year, Mitchell attracted an international following for her role of "Bess" in the Cleveland Orchestra's recording for London Records of George Gershwin's all-black opera "Porgy and Bess."

According to Bonita L. Franklin, director of vocal music for Langston University, having a talent of Leona Mitchell's caliber as part of this year's holiday concert is an extraordinary honor and rare treat.

"My entire staff is pumped about this year's President's Holiday Concert," Franklin said. "Liberame by Verde is full-bodied, rich and memorable and I feel confident that everyone in attendance will leave touched by what we already know will be a wonderful performance."

In 1988, Mitchell opened in the title role of a new production of Verdi's "Aida" at the Met, the role in which she is most associated with to this day. To date, Mitchell has performed from Germany to Japan, and from Buenos Aires to Sydney, Australia, including notable performances in Switzerland, Chile, Madrid, Spain, Australia, and Cairo, Egypt.

Receiving her bachelor of arts in music from Oklahoma City University, the Enid, Okla. native went on to study at Juilliard, and received honorary doctorates from Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma.

Mitchell has appeared in recitals at important national venues, including the Lincoln Center in New York, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as well as at the Met's 100th anniversary celebration. She has also performed at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, Avery Fisher Hall in New York, and UCLA's Ambassador Auditorium, and in a command performance of the Verdi "Requiem" at the royal palace of Monaco and another performance of the same piece at Carnegie Hall under Maestro John Nels.

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