TEMPO

Volume 11 TEMPO Magazine 2012-2013 Article 11

2013

Andrey Nemzer Wins at the Met

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Recommended Citation (2013). Andrey Nemzer Wins at the Met. TEMPO, 11 (1). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/tempo/ vol11/iss1/11

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in TEMPO by an authorized editor of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. et al.: Andrey Nemzer Wins at the Met

Duquesne Countertenor Wins Met’s 2012 National Council Auditions

ndrey Nemzer, an adjunct in this year’s auditions, which of Moscow, Russia. During the professor with the Mary are held annually throughout the 11 years he studied there, Nemzer Pappert School of Music, United States and Canada and toured as a soloist under the was selected as one of are sponsored by the Metropolitan direction of Viktor Popov, the Afive winners in the Metropolitan Opera National Council. Many People’s Artist of Russia. He had Opera’s 2012 National Council of the world’s foremost singers, his first introduction to opera at age Auditions, considered to be one including Renée Fleming, Susan 20 when he sang in the Russian of the most prestigious singing Graham, Thomas Hampson, premieres of Lulu written by Alban competitions in North America. Samuel Ramey and Dolora Zajick, Berg and Andre Gretry’s Peter Nemzer, a countertenor, have received awards from the the Great with the Helikon Opera was selected from a pool of National Council. Theatre. nine finalists, each having the Nemzer became an adult No stranger to competition, opportunity to perform arias with countertenor nearly by accident. Nemzer was the winner at the all- The Metropolitan Symphony While visiting his friend, Preston Russian vocal student competition Orchestra. As a winner, he received Showman (an organist at Third Bella Voce in 2002 and was the a $15,000 cash prize in addition to Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh’s Best Competition Soloist at the the opportunity to perform in front of Shadyside neighborhood), Nemzer international choral competition The an audience that included influential tried out a score of Handel pieces Singing World in 2009. In addition, opera executives, artist managers which turned out to be too low he was awarded a prize at The and music critics. for his tenor voice. Just for fun, Pittsburgh Baroque Competition in The National Council Auditions Nemzer transposed the songs into 2010 and won The Mildred Miller are designed to discover the alto range and was surprised to International Voice Competition in exceptional young talent, to provide discover that they sounded good. 2011, for which he was awarded his a venue for young opera singers at He tried another song, Pie Jesu residency at the Opera Theater of all different levels to be heard and from Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, Pittsburgh. Nemzer also won this to assist with their development which also suited his voice. year’s Gerda Lissner Foundation and to search for new talent for The Pittsburgh Tribune Review Competition. The Metropolitan Opera and the quoted Nemzer, saying, “My Nemzer is grateful for his Met’s Lindemann Young Artist friend said it sounded fabulous. experiences here in the United Development Program. I thought about it for a couple States, particularly in the Mary “It’s like having your star days and decided to try it. So, Pappert School of Music. “I’d like player win the M.V.P. award in this fun became the victory at to thank everyone who helped me to the NCAA Tournament,” said Dr. the Metropolitan Opera. I cannot attend Duquesne University, most of Edward Kocher, dean of the Mary believe it myself. Something all Claudia Pinza, my teacher, who Pappert School of Music. “We are happened at that time, like God helped me through the admissions thrilled that Andrey’s talents were directed me.” and application process,” He recognized by the distinguished Nemzer, 30, began his career said. “And Dean Edward Kocher, Metropolitan Opera at this as a singer at age six when he Guenko Guechev, Xiu-Ru Liu and renowned competition.” was accepted into the Moscow Troy Centofanto for all their support. Nearly 1,500 singers between Choir College in his home town Their trust in me is very precious.” the ages of 20 and 30 participated

Published10 Mary by DuquesnePappert ScholarshipSchool of Collection, Music 1 2012-2013 TEMPO, Vol. 11, Iss. 1 [], Art. 11

Duquesne Countertenor Wins Met’s 2012 National Council Auditions

Encore Taylor Brown

Taylor Brown (M.M. Performance, 2009, A.D., Performance, 2011) started off his career as a freelance musician in the Western Pennsylvania area. He spent time playing with the symphonies of Youngstown, OH; Canton, OH; Wheeling, WV and Charleston, WV. He also appeared in a string orchestra alongside the group Earth, Wind & Fire as well as in a brief tour of the Northern United States and Canada with Barry Manilow. “It’s like having your star In late summer, Brown accepted an player win the M.V.P. award appointment as principal double bass with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera (CSO). In in the NCAA Tournament. addition, he plays with the CSO string quintet, We are thrilled that Andrey’s a group that serves as an outreach vehicle for the Symphony. “Our job is to go to schools talents were recognized and introduce the instruments to kids from kindergarten to fifth grade,” he said. “We by the distinguished play themed pieces as a group, talk about Metropolitan Opera at this our instruments and demonstrate the special techniques we use in the music.” renowned competition.” Brown enjoys his new position with the CSO and is looking forward to expanding his career –Dr. Edward Kocher, in the future. Dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music.

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