CONCERT FOR A CAUSE, Friday, May 16th, 7:30 pm. The concert will benefit St. James’ Habitat for Humanity September Taos building project. Soprano Christine Welch-Elder and pianist Richard Bower will offer an all-Poulenc vocal recital,“Fềte Francaise.” The program of art songs by French composer Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) will include the well-loved sets Airs Chantés, Banalités, and La courte paille and arias from Dialogues des carmélites and the farsical Les mamelles de Tirésias. Freewill donations.
Soprano Christine Welch-Elder is currently in her 12th year on faculty at Willamette University. As a soloist she has appeared with several Pacific Northwest orchestras and choral groups. She is an experienced Bach soloist, having sung with Basically Bach of Chicago, the Oregon Bach Festival and as a regular soloist with the Bach Vespers series here at St. James. Ms. Elder has recorded Libby Larsen’s song cycle “Me” with the composer as producer. This commercial recording will be released later this year.
Pianist Richard Bower has served on the faculty of the University of Portland and Bel Canto Northwest and on the music staff of Portland Opera. He was Music Director for New York Light Opera and vocal coach to Tony winners, Metropolitan New York City Opera soloists. He was pianist for the noted cabaret artist Martha Schlamme and legendary folk singer Ronnie Gilbert.
