Washington National Opera Adds Diana Damrau to Celebrity Concert Lineup 4/8

Washington National Opera presents German soprano Diana Damrau in recital as part of its Celebrity Concert Series on Monday, April 8 at 8 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater. Accompanied by harpist Xavier de Maistre, Damrau will perform selections from Schubert, R. Strauss, Hahn, Chausson, Duparc, and more. Both artists make their WNO debuts with this performance.

Diana Damrau will perform in recital on Monday, April 8, 2013 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $40 and are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324, or online at www.kennedy-center.org.

Following their recital in Washington, Ms. Damrau and Mr. de Maistre will embark on a 10-city European tour, including stops at the Palais Garnier in Paris, the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, and Wigmore Hall in London.

Hailed as the one of the leading coloratura sopranos in the world, Diana Damrau continues to amaze audiences with her brilliant voice and arresting stage presence. She recently completed a heralded run as Gilda in the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Rigoletto, which was broadcast live to movie theaters worldwide. Also this season at the Met she makes her eagerly anticipated role debut as Violetta in La traviata.

Complementing her operatic engagements in 2013, concerts and recitals take her to Paris, Geneva, Lyon, London, Reykjavik, Hamburg, Vienna, Bad Kissingen, and Gstaad. A regular performer at the most renowned opera houses and concert halls, she was awarded the title "Bayerische Kammersängerin" in 2007 and was named "Singer of the Year" by Opernwelt magazine in 2008.

Ms. Damrau began working with Mr. de Maistre in 2006, forging a unique partnership in their exploration of the world of art song. Their early collaboration led to Ms. Damrau appearing on Mr. de Maistre's 2008 Sony debut release Nuit d'étoiles, singing a selection of Debussy melodies. Since then, they have performed a variety of concert programs to great acclaim in England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain, and Canada.

WNO continues its 2012-2013 season with Patricia Racette in her role debut as Manon Lescaut (through March 23), a new production of Norma starring Angela Meade in her role debut and Dolora Zajick as Adalgisa (through March 24), and the company premiere and new production of the classic American opera Show Boat, directed by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, opening May 4. On Saturday, May 18, Show Boat will be simulcast live, free of charge, to thousands of fans at National Park as part of M&M'S Opera in the Outfield. In June, WNO will also present the world premiere of Approaching Ali as part of the American Opera Initiative, its new commissioning program for young American composers and librettists.