FIU’s School of Music welcomes internationally acclaimed operatic baritone Sherrill Milnes and soprano Maria Zouves

Internationally renowned American operatic baritone Sherrill Milnes and his wife, soprano Maria Zouves, are visiting FIU’s School of Music for a week-long residency that includes master classes, concerts and workshops.

“We are honored that Mr. Milnes and Ms. Zouves have chosen to share their talents and to work and perform with our students in the School of Music,” said Brian Schriner, dean of the College of Architecture + The Arts. 

Milnes has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, La Scala, Berlin Deutsche Opera, the Paris Opera, Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre and others. He has more than 70 roles in his repertoire, but his affinity for lead baritone roles in Verdi operas has led to overwhelming international acclaim. At the Metropolitan Opera he has been honored with 16 new productions, seven opening nights and 10 national telecasts, and he also performed at the 25^th anniversary gala honoring James Levine.

Zouves, a powerhouse in her own right, has been hailed by the Stuttgart Zeitung as a “beautiful, lyric voice” and “a not to be surpassed ‘piano’ in the high register.” Opera News described her voice as “creamy.” This Greek-American soprano shows great versatility in opera, concert stages and cross-over, specializing in classical and popular Greek music. She has sung leading roles with the Baltimore Opera, Memphis Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, New Jersey State Opera, Orlando Opera and Florentine Opera.

In 2000, the couple founded VOICEperience, a not-for-profit organization. VOICExperience helps young singers develop and pursue their careers with programming throughout the country. They bring the best coaches and teachers, as well as the stars, from both the operatic and theatrical world to interact with the singers.

Performance schedule:

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012

Debut Concert: FIU’s, Ensemble-In-Residence, The Amernet String Quartet performs with Sherrill Milnes, Baritone, Maria Zouves, Soprano, James Griffiths, viola, and Christopher Rex, cello

7:30pm, Wertheim Performing Arts Center

FIU Students $5/ Faculty & Staff $10/ General Public $15

Friday, Nov. 9, 2012

The FIU Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Grzegorz Nowak, performs Aaron Copland’s ‘Lincoln’s Portrait’. Narrated by Sherrill Milnes. Featuring Ida Haendel, violin, and Misty Bermudez, Mezzo-Soprano, for an evening of Verdi, Gluck, and Bruch.

FIU Students $10/ Non-FIU Student & Faculty & Staff $15/ General Public $20

Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012

Vocal Masterclass with local NATS teachers and their students, conducted by Sherrill Milnes

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wertheim Performing Arts Center- Recital Hall

FREE and open to the public

For ticket information: www.livethearts.com

For information regarding The School of Music: www.music.fiu.edu