Mezzo Soprano Marion Newman is having a very busy year.
The former Sooke resident was “On the Trail of Kaija Saariaho” in May, performing the solo works of the trailblazing Finnish composer in Toronto. In April she sang the role of Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana with the Hamilton Opera and arias from The Barber of Seville and Cenerentola in “It Ain’t Over until the Fat Lady Sings” with the Toronto Philharmonic. She travelled to her home province in February to perform in Spirit of the One Song with the Prince George Symphony and in the same month Newman performed with the Peterborough Symphony singing two arias from Carmen and El Amor Brujo.
In Toronto she sang Canada’s national anthem for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business gala.
Just a few examples of the range of her experience and the depth of her musical commitments. She has travelled around the world from the Czech Republic to Italy to Ireland. Not bad for a little girl from Sooke.
Newman “has a distinctive, dusky voice that suggests drama with every note,” said the Toronto Star; and she has been praised for her “superbly sinuous sexuality.”
Newman made her debut at the age of 16 with the Victoria Symphony, not as a singer but as a pianist.
She will be returning to British Columbia perform with the Victoria Symphony on Oct. 15 when she sings with the Emily Carr String Quarter in the world premiere of Klee Wyck by Robin Stokes.
The performance takes place at the UVic Centre Farguhar Auditorium at 8 p.m. The performance is part of the Emily Carr Project presented by the Victoria Symphony in celebration of a Season of Emily.
For tickets call 250-385-6515 or go to: victoriasymphony.ca