Luther College’s Beth Ray Westlund to present faculty voice recital Feb. 9

Beth Ray Westlund, associate professor of music at Luther College (www.luther.edu), will present a faculty mezzo-soprano voice recital Saturday, Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. in the Noble Recital Hall of the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music on the Luther campus.

The performance is free and open to the public.

The recital features selections by early 17th-century composer Claudio Monteverdi, including a lullaby from his famous opera “L’incoronazione di Poppea,” German songs based on Russian poetry by French-born singer-composer Pauline Viardot Garcia; Debussy’s “Ariettes Oubliées,” and songs with a Spanish flavor by non-Spanish composers.

The recital will end with a powerful duet from Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena.”

Ray Westlund will be joined by Luther music faculty members Kathryn Reed-Maxfield, harpsichord, Jessica Paul, piano, and Karen Kanakis, soprano.

Ray Westlund holds the bachelor’s degree from Luther and the doctoral and master’s degrees in music from the University of Texas at Austin. She teaches studio voice and diction.

Her opera performances include the title role in “Dido and Aeneas,” Dorabella in “Così fan tutti,” Zita in “Gianni Schicchi,” Prince Orlofsky in “Die Fledermaus,” Mother Marie in “Dialogues of the Carmelites,” and Mrs. Grose in “Turn of the Screw.”

An article based on Ray Westlund’s doctoral treatise, “Dominick Argento’s Casa Guidi: A Character and Musical Study,” appeared in the December 2007/January 2008 issue of Journal of Singing.

Paul holds the bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, the master of music degree and doctor of musical arts degree from University of Illinois. She is an associate professor of music serving as vocal coach, collaborative pianist and teacher of accompanying.

Reed-Maxfield holds the bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University and the master of music degree from University of Michigan. She directs the Collegium Musicum and is an instructor harpsichord, piano, and ear training.

Kanakis holds the bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University, the master of music degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and the doctor of music degree from the University of North Texas. She is an assistant professor of music and teaches voice and opera.