Ukrainian Art Song Project’s Second Annual Summer Institute Welcomes Eight North American Vocalists

Ciarlo Communications, Toronto.

The Ukrainian Art Song Project today announced that eight vocalists from across North America will participate in its second annual Summer Institute. The program runs from August 13 – 19, 2018, in Temerty Theatre at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory’s TELUS Centre for Performing and Learning. These artists will conclude their week-long residency by performing in a finale recital, Artists in Performance on August 19, 2017. Tickets are now on sale.

The vocalists participating in the Summer Institute include: Douglas Graham, Baritone; Julie Anna Gulenko, Soprano; Kateryna Khartova, Soprano; Olenka Slywynska, Mezzo-soprano, and Allison Walmsley, Soprano. Returning to the Summer Institute again this season are: Olesia Verzole, Soprano; Andrew Skitko, Tenor and Ariane Meredith, Mezzo-soprano.
Led by Artistic Director Pavlo Hunka, faculty members are Albert Krywolt, pianist; Robert Kortgaard, pianist and Dr. Melanie Turgeon, ensemble coach, and joining this year’s faculty as an additional ensemble coach is Dr. Anna Ferenc.

From August 15 – 17, the general public are invited to enjoy a behind the scenes look as these eight vocalists are taken through an intensive immersion into Ukrainian Art Songs – the language, poetic realm, musical style, socio-historical context and performance practice. Admission is free but pre-registration is required due to limited seating. To register, log on to: https://www.ukrainianartsong.ca/si-auditing-form

The Summer Institute concludes on Sunday, August 19, 2017, at 3:00 p.m., with the finale recital, Artists in Performance. This is a rare opportunity to hear the eight extraordinary rising stars, as they interpret the works of Ukrainian composers, including Ostap and Nestor Nyzhankivsky, Myroslav Volynsky, and Jaroslav Lopatynsky, with accompaniment by pianists Albert Krywolt and Robert Kortgaard. Host and Artistic Director, the internationally renowned bass-baritone, Pavlo Hunka, will provide lively and insightful commentary.

At this recital, the Ukrainian Art Song Project will the launch the much-anticipated Galicians II recording, including 82 Ukrainian art songs. The release of this recording adds another collection to the ever-growing library that has already been released.

Tickets for Artists in Performance: Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute are $18 (incl. taxes) for Students (with identification) and $37 (incl. taxes) for Adults and can be purchased:

•  In person at the RCM Box Office, 273 Bloor Street West
• Online at www.ukrainianartsong.ca
• By calling 416-408-0208.

The Ukrainian Art Song Project was founded in 2004 with the goal of acquiring and promoting the classical treasures of Ukrainian art song and aims to record and publish a veritable anthology of over 1,000 art songs by 26+ of Ukraine’s greatest composers. The project operates under the auspices of the Canadian Ukrainian Opera Association, a registered charity, whose objectives are to promote Ukrainian classical music in all forms, including live performances and recordings.

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