PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Oct. 10, 2022) – Prairie View A&M University launches its Fine Arts Series on Thursday, Oct. 13, with Leon Turner, bass-baritone, in recital. Turner has performed in master classes conducted by noted singers such as Leontyne Price and Blanche Thebom.
Leon Turner
“Mr. Turner is truly an outstanding performer,” said PVAMU Endowed Professor of Fine Arts Danny R. Kelly. Dr. Kelley, who was instrumental in PVAMU being named an All-Steinway School in 2017 as dean of the Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences, will serve as the accompanist during the event. “Prairie View is very fortunate to have him on our faculty as an instructor and active performer. I have enjoyed collaborating with him both here and abroad in various musical settings.”
Turner, a native of Monroe, Louisiana, holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northeast Louisiana University and a Master of Music degree from Southern Methodist University. His operatic and oratorio experiences include such roles as Bonze in Puccini’s Madam Butterfly, Sarastro in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Grandpa Moss in Copland’s The Tender Land, Frank in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, King Balthazar in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, Mikado in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, and bass soloist in Handel’s Messiah and Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio. Smaller roles and excerpts include 2nd Philistine in Saint-Saens’ Samson et Dalilah, Sergeant in Puccini’s La Boheme, Figaro in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Leporello in Don Giovanni, and Alfonso in Cosi fan tutte, the title role in Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov, and King Philip in Verdi’s Don Carlo. These performances occurred with Opera North of Lebanon, N.H., Fort Worth Opera of Fort Worth, Texas, Portland Opera of Portland, Oregon, S.M.U. Opera Theatre, and N.L.U. Opera Workshop.
Turner has made recital appearances at Northeast Louisiana University and with the Phi Mu Epsilon concert series in Dallas. He was cast as a gospel singer in the movie “Leap of Faith” by Paramount Pictures. The film starred Steve Martin, Debra Winger and Liam Neeson. This movie engagement resulted in a guest appearance with Steve Martin on “The Arsenio Hall Show” as a featured soloist.
Turner spent the summer of ‘96 in Rome, Italy performing the role of Sarastro in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and concertizing with the Rome Festival Orchestra. He was chosen as a finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions in New Orleans, and winner of the National Opera Association Vocal Competition in Washington. He is constantly engaged in solo performances and makes guest artist appearances at universities, colleges and churches around the State of Texas. He is presently completing the degree requirements for the Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Texas at Austin.
Next week’s performance will include works by W. A. Mozart, Francis Poulenc, H. T. Burleigh and a group of Spirituals and Broadway selections. The recital is free and open to the public. Click here for details.
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