School of Music Opens 2009-10 Concert Season with Song Recital

Baritone Robin Rice and pianist Edward Bak, both on the faculty of Ohio State's School of Music, open the school's 2009-10 season with a concert of works by German and French composers on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 3 p.m. in Weigel Auditorium, 1866 College Rd., on campus.

Their program includes a selection of Schubert songs, Debussy's "Trois Ballades de Francois Villon," and Faure's "La Bonne Chanson." Dedicated to his wife, Faure's work sets to music nine poems by Paul Verlaine.

With M.M. and D.M.A. degrees from the University of Cincinnati, Rice is a specialist in the French repertoire. He was a participant under Elly Ameling, Gerard Souzay, and Dalton Baldwin at the Cleveland Art Song Festival. He has appeared as soloist with orchestras and on broadcasts including The Czech Republic and Greece.

Highly regarded as a teacher and vocal coach, Rice has given master classes at venues in the United States as well as Argentina and Italy. His abilities as vocal coach have taken him to young artist apprentice programs of the San Diego Opera, Utah Opera, and Florida Grand Opera.

Most recently, Rice taught at the Amalfi Coast Music Program in Italy and gave master classes at two universities in Taiwan.

Bak holds degrees from the Peabody Institute of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has taught master classes in Chile, Argentina, and was visiting professor of piano in Seoul, South Korea.

Tickets available at the door. Tickets are $12 general admission, $6 senior citizens and students with ID.