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Performance Series - Lyric Soprano
The South Haven Performance series continues its ninth season on Friday, June 29, with the warm lyric soprano voice of Dr. Rhea Olivacce. The concert, at 7:30 p.m., will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 429 Michigan Ave.
Dr. Olivacce, Assistant Professor of voice at Western Michigan University, currently teaches opera and classical voice.
While growing up on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean, her home was filled with singing and music. Both her grandfather and an aunt were admired Caribbean singers. Olivacce’s mother was her biggest fan. After hearing her sing “Every Step You Take” at a funeral, her mother requested that she do so at her funeral when the time came so that “everyone will know what I know — what a wonderful singer you are.”
Olivacce's earliest musical training happened while singing with church choirs. She listened to reggae and calypso, country and gospel. During her teen years, she began to focus on a rhythm, blues and pop style. She was not exposed specifically to classical music.
At the age of 16, Olivacce’s mother died and, as requested, she sang at her funeral. Two years later she was headed for Florida International University. There she was first exposed to opera when she landed a chorister’s role in the opera Norma. She found opera thrilling and hypnotic and chose music as her career. For graduate school, she attended the University of Michigan where she earned a Masters and a Ph.d in Musical Arts. While at the U of M, Olivacce performed leading operatic soprano roles such as Tatyana in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin and Mimi in Puccini’s La Bohème.
The Cleveland Classical had this to say about her performance in Porgy and Bess: “As Bess, soprano Rhea Olivaccé exhibited an especially lovely middle to high range with velvety hues. Her vivacious stage presence underlined Bess’ vacillating nature, and her Act 3 duet with Stuckey in I Love You Porgy was stunning.” About herself, she says, “I choose every day to focus on the undying passion and fire I have for performing. I am at my best when I’m singing.”
Admission is $10. Students are admitted free. There are no advance ticket sales. Doors open 30 minutes before the performance.
Performances are provided thanks to the generous support of the South Haven Community Foundation, corporate sponsors and individual donors.Performance Series - Lyric SopranoDate and Time
Friday Jun 29, 2018
7:30 PM - 7:30 PM EDT
