"Dazzling Divas!" Promises Fun Evening of Music Nov. 13

If anything characterizes soprano Michelle Vought's recitals, in addition to her talent and personality, it is a sense of fun.  Vought, an associate professor in the School of Music at Illinois State University, will be joined on the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall stage by ISU alumna Carolyn Brady on Nov. 13 in a program called "Dazzling Divas!"

Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. program are $6 for the general public, $5 for faculty-staff and $4 for students and senior citizens, and are available at the CPA box office from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

Brady, a mezzo-soprano and a 1995 graduate, will join Vought in performing opera, art songs and musical theatre.  Vought said the pair will sing French cabaret songs, passionate Italian operatic repertoire and musical theatre tunes ranging from humorous to sultry as soloists and in duets.  A special surprise finale is planned.  Nancy Pounds of Illinois Wesleyan University will be the piano accompanist.

Brady is choral director for the Saint Xavier University women's and men's ensembles.  After graduating from Illinois State, she earned her master's degree in vocal performance with honors from Chicago Musical College at Roosevelt University.  Although Brady left Illinois State before Vought joined the faculty, the two met through the late Kathleen Randles of ISU's Music faculty.  Brady has been active as a singer and pianist as well as a musical and theatrical director in the Chicago area, including membership in the Grant Park Symphony Chorus and performing in operatic and musical theatre roles with numerous theatres and music venues.

Vought is well known throughout the country as a performer in opera, oratorio and musical theater.  She has performed with many opera companies and  has performed in concerts in Europe as well as in the United States.  Vought was featured as a soloist on a tour of Italy and Switzerland where she sang the Faure Requiem and the Mozart Missa Brevis in F Major with the Orchestra of Brno, Czechoslovakia.

Vought and Brady will perform the same concert at St. Xavier University on Nov. 18.