News from the Wagner Society of Washington, DC

For more information:

Thomas Arthur at 202.944.3686 (press)
Aurelius Fernandez at 301.907.2600

Washington, D.C., August 1, 2002 --- The Wagner Society of Washington,
D.C.  will start its series of fall events with a talk by the world-famous
soprano, Evelyn Lear, at the Levine School of Music on September 19th
at 7:30 P.M.  The event will be free to Wagner Society members and the
public.

Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.  to Present "All About Evelyn:
An Evening With Evelyn Lear"

The American soprano Evelyn Lear, one of the most celebrated opera
and concert singers of our times, has sung on all of the important stages
from Broadway to Berlin.  She is especially noted for her expertise in the
German repertoire and has enjoyed a remarkable career in starring roles at
all of the major opera houses of the world from the Met to La Scala.  She
has performed with the world's greatest conductors and appeared at the
leading music festivals of the world.  She has made over fifty recordings
of opera, song and oratorio, many of which have received Grammy Awards.

On September 19th, Evelyn Lear will discuss and answer questions about
her career as a singer, as the wife of the great bass baritone Thomas
Stewart, as a mother and as a grandmother.  She will describe some of the
many famous people she has worked with, tell what it is like to be in a
movie with Paul Newman, talk about what it was like to say "no" to Herbert
Von Karajan, speak to the difficulty of turning down an opportunity to sing
at the great Wagner Festival at Bayreuth, and reflect on what it was like
to be at Bayreuth when her famous husband, Thomas Stewart, was the world's
leading Wotan in Wagner's Ring.  She will illustrate her talk with video
and sound recordings of her work.  A reception will follow for Society
members and the public to meet the artist.

Ms. Lear and Mr. Stewart collaborate with the Wagner Society of
Washington, D.C. on the Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart Emerging Singers
Program to develop American singers who may have the potential for singing
Wagner's work.  The next Emerging Singers Program concert will be held
at the German Embassy on Friday, October 11th at 7:30 P.M.  when several
singers will be presented in an all Wagner program.  Press details about
the concert and ticket information will follow from the Wagner Society
and will also be available on the Society's Web site.

The Levine School of Music is located at 2801 Upton Street, Northwest,
Washington, DC.  The school provides free parking.

The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C. is a private, non- profit
organization established for the study and enjoyment of Wagner's art.

The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.,
P.O. Box 33051,
Washington, D.C. 20033
Telephone 301.907.2600
Facsimile 301.907.8671
http://www.wagner-dc.org

Janice Rosen (on behalf of Tom Arthur)