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Biography Reviews Stephanie Piercey, Nocturne (PHX 0876-2)Stephanie Piercey: Nocturne, a gorgeous collection of songs by Samuel Barber, sung by soprano Stephanie Piercey accompanied by Alayne Hall on piano. Stephanie Piercey brings the songs of Samuel Barber magically to life, giving a wonderfully fresh rendition of these rarely heard modern masterpieces. From the deep power of "The Crucifixion" to the playfulness of "Nuvoletta" , Stephanie Piercey gives a passionate and sensitive performance that shows the full range of her talent. Nocturne also contains the complete "Hermit Songs", Op. 29 and the five "Melodies Passageres". Stephanie Piercey: Nocturne is a superb debut CD from one of today's most exciting sopranos, a must-have for lovers of vocal music and song.Biography "It's as if I was listening to a young Tebaldi...Stephanie Piercey is destined for international stardom". (Arthur Zimmerman, Classics Director CFRC FM). This is one small example of the kind of interest that Stephanie Piercey has been generating. As a soprano in leading operatic roles around the world, Stephanie has received accolades from all quarters for her wonderful voice. Full and rich, perfect intonation, powerful yet sensitive ¬ the expressiveness of her singing is perfectly suited for the operatic stage and the emotional depth and intimacy of songs and lieder. Originally from Canada, where her professional debut was the title role in Massenet's Manon, she soon made her European debut as Donna Anna in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Silesian State Opera in the Czech Republic. She has been repeatedly invited back to the Czech Repiblic to reprise her role as Donna Anna as well as Leonora in Il Trovatore (Verdi) and Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera (Verdi). In 1997 Stephanie performed in Vienna with the Akademisches Symphonie Orchester in a Strauss Liedreabend. Soon after, her performances of Don Giovanni with the Troupe Romande d'Artistes Lyriques in Geneva, Switzerland led to considerable public and critical acclaim. She has performed Verdi in Munich at the Gasteig Philharmonie, in Dusseldorf at the Tonhalle and in Berlin at the world renowned Berlin Philharmonie. Stephanie's repertoire also includes various sacred vocal works, including Vivaldi's Gloria and Laudate Pueri which she performed in Switzerland with the Symphonisches Orchester Zurich. In 1999 she debuted with the York Opera in Toronto in the title role of Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Critics were unanimous in their praise of Stephanie's outstanding vocal and artistic performance. Her debut CD, on Phoenix Records, Nocturne: The Songs of Samuel Barber showcases the full range of Stephanie's gorgeous voice. These rarely recorded masterpieces by one of the great American composers of the twentieth century cover a wide emotional and vocal range. In each and every piece Stephanie balances her beautiful singing tone with a sense of depth and intimacy, giving each song a character uniquely its own. Stephanie continues her international career with performances in Canada and Europe,
of both vocal recital work and operatic roles. Reviews "After the first few characters appeared... I was reconciling myself to a long evening of earnest, if slightly coarse, voices and wayward pitch, when Stephanie Piercey, in her first essay at the title role, sang her first notes. A large, smooth, easily produced voice with absolutely secure intonation. A voice that filled the hall with gorgeous tones. As the opera progressed, and Stephanie Piercey was able to unfold and present her art, it was as if I was listening to a young Tebaldi-a luscious, richly coloured voice, even throughout the scale, dramatic, with awesome breath control and phrasing that always radiated intelligence. It was a rare musical and emotional thrill to hear the artistry with which she approached, easily rose to and judiciously closed off her high notes. Perfect control and a melting beauty. Impressive the way she helped the Suzuki to get back on track in their final duet. If there is justice in the world of opera, Stephanie Piercey is destined for major international stardom." - Arthur Zimmerman, Classics Director CFRC-FM Review of Madame Butterfly, Opera York, March 6, 1999 Other Phoenix Artists: Simon Fryer Merrie Klazek Nick Peros Paul Bresciani, William Crawford Ronald Beckett Linda Shumas Yoko Hirota back to top of this page |
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