Joana Carneiro Returns To Conduct Santa Rosa Symphony In Choral Program Dec. 9, 10 and 11

Jonathan Biss Performs Schumann Piano Concerto

News Release Contact:

Sara Obuchowski, (707) 546-7097 ext 218

October 31, 2006

(SANTA ROSA, CA) – Joana Carneiro, assistant conductor of the L.A. Philharmonic, impressed local audiences when she auditioned for the music directorship of the Santa Rosa Symphony last year. Carneiro returns to the podium on December 9, 10 and 11 to conduct the Symphony’s choral program, which is anchored by the magnificent work by Vaughan Williams, Dona Nobis Pacem. The Sonoma State University Chorus, the Santa Rosa High School Choir and the Santa Rosa Symphonic Chorus along with soloists Jenni Samuelson and Philip Lima join maestro Carneiro for three performances at the Wells Fargo Center. Featured guest artist on the program is 26-year-old American pianist Jonathan Biss, performing the Schumann Piano Concerto.

The Washington Post has written of Biss, “…the knock of stardom will be heard at his door.” Noted for his prodigious technique, artistic maturity and versatility, Biss has a two-year exclusive contract with EMI Classics and his first CD, an all-Schumann recital, will be released in the United States in January 2007. He was an artist-in residence on NPR’s “Performance Today,” was the first American chosen to participate in the BBC’s New Generation Artist program and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2003 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, and the 2005 Leonard Bernstein Award. The appearance of pianist Jonathan Biss at the December 9-10 concerts is made possible through the generosity of Elizabeth Witchey-Ryer.

Soprano Jenni Samuelson has been a featured soloist with the Sonoma County Bach Choir and the San Francisco Chorale, and has performed with many opera companies, among them: San Francisco Opera Center, Cinnabar Opera, Chicago Light Opera Works and Western Opera Theater. She teaches on the voice faculty of Sonoma State University. Baritone Philip Lima, whose singing has been called “glorious” by the Boston Globe, has performed an extraordinary array of challenging operatic roles and appeared in many solo recitals, including a concert of spirituals in Rome, and at Boston’s historic Jordan Hall. Highlights of concert engagements include performances of Bach’s St. John Passion, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Bernstein’s Mass, Handel’s Messiah, Belshazzar’s Feast by Walton, and Orff’s Carmina Burana.

Performance times are Saturday and Monday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. Conversations with the Conductor begin in the concert hall one hour prior to performances.
The popular Discovery Series of open rehearsals continues at 2 p.m. on December 9. These concerts, priced at $10 for adults and $6 for youth, offer a sneak peek into the final rehearsal process before each concert set.

Call (707) 546-8742 for tickets or purchase tickets online at santarosasymphony.com. Tickets are also available in person at the Symphony Box Office on the first floor of the North Coast Bank building at 50 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door 1½ hours before each performance based on availability. Single tickets are $27-50, with student and senior discounts available. $10 Student Rush tickets (student I.D. required) can be purchased a half hour prior to curtain.

Photos of Joana Carneiro, Jonathan Biss, Jenni Samuelson and Philip Lima available on request.