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The Orchestra at William Paterson University
to Present Handel's Messiah Three of the four soloists are recent graduates of William Paterson. They include Michele Weigl, soprano, of Manahawkin; Barbara Kokolus, mezzo-soprano, of Lake George, N.Y.; and Tom Courtwright, tenor, of Newton. Stephen Bryant, who serves as director of choral activities and opera workshop at the University, will perform as bass-baritone. The program also features a presentation of Corelli's Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 8 "Christmas." Breckling founded the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra in 1997. Previously, she served as music director of the Battleground Symphony Orchestra in New Jersey and performed at arts festivals throughout the region. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Breckling now lives in New York City. Bryant has accrued extensive credits in oratorio, concert and opera venues. During the 1999-2000 season, Bryant makes his Israel Philharmonic debut as bass soloist in Mendelssohn's "Walpurgisnacht," with Kurt Masur conducting. Also this season, Bryant will return to the Portland Baroque Orchestra as bass soloist in "Messiah," and will make his Arizona Opera debut as George in "Of Mice and Men," a role he has also performed with the Utah Opera. Bryant created the major role of Dante for
the world premiere of Tan Dun's "Marco Polo," which
he performed at the Munich Biennale, the Holland Festival in
Amsterdam, the Hong Kong Arts Festival, New York City Opera,
and with the Japan Philharmonic in Tokyo. The New York Times,
in its review of the production, called it an "extraordinary
work," adding that Bryant "made the vocalism and movement
seem natural." Weigl is a May 1999 graduate of William Paterson, where she received a B.M. degree in classical voice performance. During her four years at the University, she was a recipient of many awards from vocal competitions throughout the eastern region. This December, she performs the Ghost of Christmas Past in the new musical, "Ebeneezer," based on Dicken's "A Christmas Carol," at the Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven. Kokolus, a graduate of William Paterson and the Manhattan School of Music, is an active interpreter of opera, contemporary music, and lieder, and is currently pursuing her doctorate at the State University of New York at Stony Brook under the tutelage of Elaine Bonazzi. Recently, she was a featured soloist with the Manhattan School of Music in Mahler's "Symphony of a Thousand" at Riverside Church, was a finalist in New York's Puccini Competition, and made her recording debut on Vox Records. Courtwright is a 1997 graduate of William Paterson with a bachelor of music degree in performance. His performances include scenes from "Rigoletto," and "La Boheme" with American Singers Opera Project. He also performed scenes from "La Rondine" and "L'Elisir D'Amore" as well as others with William Paterson's Opera Workshop. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets for
the concert are $20 and 25, depending on the location. Students
may purchase two tickets for the rear loge at $5 each. For reservations,
please call the Shea Center Box Office at 973-720-2371.
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