ALLEGANY, N.Y. — International opera star Ray Chenez will perform a recital Nov. 2 at St. Bonaventure University as the capstone to his two-week engagement as a Lenna Visiting Professor.
A native of Lockport and a graduate of SUNY-Fredonia, Chenez will be at St. Bonaventure and visiting the Olean campus of Jamestown Community College from Oct. 22 through Nov. 2.
Free and open to the public, the recital is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 2, in the Rigas Theater of the Quick Center for the Arts. Laura Peterson, St. Bonaventure University music lecturer and pianist, will accompany Chenez.
Chenez, who received his master’s and doctoral degrees from Florida State, is an opera countertenor currently performing in Europe. He just completed a prestigious engagement in the new production of the opera “Three Sisters” by Peter Őtvos (based on Chekhov’s play) for the opening of the season at the Frankfurt, Germany, opera house. His performance was acclaimed by the press and the public alike.
Chenez will also be giving a lecture at 4 p.m. Oct. 23, in the Quick Center on the countertenor and his journey to a career in European opera.
Throughout the two weeks, Chenez will be meeting with music, theater and business classes at St. Bonaventure, as well as visiting with students at JCC. He will also be giving individual lessons to advanced music students on campus.
