ArtSmart – The Met Opera Story of Porgy and Bess (Gershwin)
Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center ArtSmart -Opera Series is delighted to bring Erik Kroncke to moderate the pre-opera sessions for the 2019-2020 series. The Met Opera in HD film presentations. Erik brings knowledge of opera as both a performer and opera connoisseur to the 45- minute preshow background talk. ArtSmart is free with your ticket to the film.
Bring a bag lunch* to enjoy this on stage discussion of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.
One of America’s favorite operas returns to the Met for the first time in nearly 30 years. James Robinson’s stylish production transports audiences to Catfish Row on the Charleston waterfront, vibrant with the music, dancing, emotion, and heartbreak of its inhabitants. “If you’re going to stage Gershwin’s opera, this is how,” raved the Guardian when the new production premiered in London in 2018. David Robertson conducts a dynamic cast, featuring the sympathetic duo of Eric Owens and Angel Blue in the title roles and an all-star ensemble that includes Golda Schultz, Latonia Moore, Denyce Graves, Frederick Ballentine, Alfred Walker, and Ryan Speedo Green.
Erik Kroncke Biography
Erik is a bass soloist, who has sung in many operas including Fiesco in Simon Boccanegra, Philip II in Don Carlo, Enrico VIII in Anna Bolena, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Ramphis in Aida, and Mephistopheles in Faust. He has appeared with Sarasota Opera, Opera San José, Chautauqua Opera, Opera Colorado, New Jersey Verismo Opera, Green Mountain Opera, and Austin Lyric Opera, among others.
He was an award winner of the Gerda Lissner vocal competition in 2010, the American Wagner and St. Bonaventura award winner from the Liederkranz competition in 2008, and a winner of the 2002 and 2003 Friedrich Schorr Vocal Competition. His symphonic and oratorio performances have included engagements with the National Chorale, Sarasota Opera Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Korean Philharmonic, and the American Classical Orchestra, as well as appearances in “The Three Basses” concerts.
In the last year, Erik sang the bass solo in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the National Chorale at Lincoln Center, and the role of Tackleton in the North American premier of Zandonai’s Il Grillo del Focolare with Teatro Grattacielo. He also opened the 27th season of the Capriccio concert series in recital with pianist Mary Jane Austin. He will be performing more recitals with Ms. Austin throughout the United States as well as in the Vermont Virtuosi concert series. He has performed in opera concerts in Oderzo and Feltre, Italy every summer since 2011. Erik is a student of Claudia Pinza.
*Pick up lunch from Edelweiss Mountain Deli on the Mountain Road and enjoy 20% off all prepared foods, including soups, salads and sandwiches. Call ahead (802) 253-4034 and say you are requesting the ArtSmart lunch deal and show your ticket at pick up!