Join us for a special performance by American operatic tenor, John Riesen, as he performs with pianist Andrea Lodge of Bonavista (via NYC), and the NSO's Atlantic String Quartet. These talented musicians will present an eclectic and enjoyable selection of music, ranging from classical and opera to musical theatre and pop. This performance is sponsored Bonavista Living.
Hailed as “every inch the hero in stature and voice” (Classical Voice North America), award-winning American tenor John Riesen is consistently impressing audiences with his "impassioned...and vibrant" voice (Opera Today). Riesen’s growing career boasts a variety of roles in which he excels and includes significant work in opera, musical theatre, studio recording and concert. He has released two studio recording albums: What You'd Call a Dream (2019) and Christmas at Home (2020), and numerous singles that have reached over 5 million streams on Spotify and Apple Music. John is also the head of Spotify promotion and PR for Emitha LLC, building an ecosystem for classical and crossover singers around the world to be heard on streaming services.
Andrea Lodge has been hailed as a “Must-See”(The Telegram, St. John’s, Canada), and her performances have been noted as “Jarring and compelling”(Washington Post). A specialist in the performance of contemporary music, she frequently commissions and performs new works for piano solo and chamber ensemble. Andrea was awarded top prizes at the Eckhardt-Gramatté Canadian National Competition for the Performance of New Music, including the award for best performance of the commissioned work. She was featured in the Village Times Herald (Long Island, NY) for her showing at this competition in an article called “Stony Brook Pianist Hailed as One of Canada’s Best!”
Formed in 1985, the Atlantic String Quartet (ASQ) is a versatile and professional chamber ensemble comprised of the principal string players of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (NSO): Heather Kao, first violin; Nancy Case-Oates, second violin; Kate Read, viola; and Nathan Cook, Cello. In addition to their work with the full orchestra and NSO Sinfonia, the quartet produces its own Recital Series each season, presenting a broad selection of works from the rich quartet and small ensemble repertoires. The ASQ is an integral part of the creative life of its community and is known for its versatility and ability to work with music and musicians from all styles and genres. Having shared the stage with such international classical musicians as Anton Kuerti, André Laplante, and Martin Beaver, and local artists such as jazz artist Duane Andrews and renowned songwriter Ron Hynes, the members of the quartet also teach privately, and coach and conduct other ensembles. In 2014, the ASQ was offered a placement at the prestigious St. Lawrence String Quartet Music Seminar in Stanford, CA. In 2020 the quartet released its first self-titled debut album featuring works by Arthur Bliss and Maurice Ravel.