October 26, 2021
Soprano Monica Dewey to perform at Shryock Auditorium Nov. 6
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Acclaimed soprano Monica Dewey is the featured artist for the 2021 Art Song Festival next month hosted by Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Music.
As part of her visit to campus Nov. 5-6, Dewey will present a recital at 3 p.m. Nov. 6 in Shryock Auditorium. The recital is free and the public is welcome to attend. SIU is committed to protecting the community, so all those attending must follow current campus and state pandemic safety protocols and wear masks in shared indoor spaces.
Dewey will be performing works by French mezzo-soprano and composer, Pauline Viardot, French composer Maurice Ravel and American classical composer Libby Larsen. She will be accompanied by Barbara Noyes, collaborative pianist with the School of Music.
On Nov. 5, Dewey will be on campus giving a masterclass with several SIU voice students, said Brittany Benningfield, a lecturer in the School of Music.
Dewey’s visit if funded by the SIU Fine Arts Activity Fee.
“Having Ms. Dewey on campus is exciting because she is an acclaimed international soprano and a wonderful teaching artist,” Benningfield said. “Her love for the art form spills over into her work with students and her colleagues. Our students will learn about vocal technique, how to move on stage, and receive some behind-the-scenes tips and tricks for opera performance from someone who actually ‘walks the walk.’ Additionally, the fact that they get to work with her at no cost is outstanding.”
Dewey is described by Opera News as having “an endearing timbre bursting with warmth… as close to perfect as opera gets.” Her credits include the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, San Francisco Opera, and Michigan Opera Theatre.
For the 2021-2022 season, Dewey will join the roster of the Metropolitan Opera in their productions of “Ariadne auf Naxos,” “Rigoletto,” and Brett Dean’s “Hamlet.”
Dewey received a bachelor's degree in music and arts administration from the University of Kentucky and a master of music from Indiana University. She was awarded the Georgina Joshi International Fellowship and worked as an associate instructor of voice while at Indiana.
For more information, contact the School of Music at music@siu.edu or 618-536-8742.