McNeese Presents Guest Vocal Recital

The McNeese State University W.A. and Dorothy Hanna Department of Performing Arts will present a free lecture recital titled “Love and Loss: A Study in Early Romanticism” by Dr. Grace Edgar, mezzo-soprano, at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, in Tritico Theatre. Dr. Lina Morita will accompany on piano.

Edgar will perform Richard Schumann’s “Frauenliebe und – leben” and Hector Berlioz’s “Les nuits d’été.” The recital will begin with a short lecture discussing both song cycles’ themes of love and loss, which were inspired by women with whom the composers were obsessed.

Edgar received a Bachelor of Music degree in sacred music from Centenary College in Shreveport, a Master of Arts in theatre from Western Washington University and her doctorate in vocal performance from the University of Houston. She has performed with several opera companies including the Austin Lyric Opera, Key West Pops Symphony and New Orleans Opera and as a resident artist in the Marion Roose Pullin Studio of the Arizona Opera.  She has appeared in numerous productions including “Don Giovanni,” “La Boheme,” “Rigoletto,” “Carmen” and “A Little Night Music” as well as oratorio, concert and recital performances. She made her directing debut at the University of Houston with Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.”

Edgar is also a choral conductor and both an acting and a voice teacher. She has served on music ministry teams at several churches and as the director of music ministries at First United Methodist Church in DeRidder. She resides in Killeen, Texas.

Persons needing accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator at 337-475-5428, voice; 337-475-5960, fax; 337-562-4227, TDD/TTY, hearing impaired; or by email at cdo@mcneese.edu.