FARMINGTON – August 17, 1911 is when international opera diva, and Farmington native, Lillian (Norton) Nordica, performed her final concert in her hometown. August 17 has since been called “Nordica Day.”
It is celebrated with an open house at the Nordica Homestead Museum on the Holley Road and a concert in Nordica Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
|
|
For the past 25 years the concert has featured the winner of the annual Nordica Memorial scholarship, awarded to a young, upcoming singer in Maine. The winner is chosen in April in the state auditions held by NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing.)
This year’s winner, Molly Harmon, is a senior performance major at the University of Southern Maine where she studies voice with Judith James. She has performed a variety of roles in opera workshops and last Fall was the soprano soloist in Haydn’s “Creation” with the USM Chorale and Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra in Merrill Auditorium.
Ms. Harmon’s recital will include arias by Mozart and Menotti, songs by Debussy and Strauss, ending with some “Golden Age” musical theater songs. Her accompanist will be Steven Morris.
The concert is a gift to the community from the Nordica Memorial Association, so there is no admission charge. Nordica Auditorium is located in Merrill Hall on the campus of the Univ. of Maine at Farmington. A reception will be held in the auditorium after the concert. For more information call 778-2042.
