WASHINGTON, D.C.  August 16, 1999.  The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.
will open its 1999-2000 season with two programs in September.

Thomas Stewart, the internationally renowned bass-baritone will share his
thoughts about his career and experience singing Wagner opera roles on
Thursday, September 16 at 7:30 PM at The George Washington University,
Funger Hall, Room 103, 2201 G Street, Northwest.

Thomas Stewart grew up in San Saba, Texas, and was trained in music, drama,
and electronics before leaving for New York in the 1950s.  There he studied
at the Julliard School, met and married soprano Evelyn Lear, and began his
singing career.  After Fulbright scholarships took the Stewarts to Berlin
in 1957, he began a long association with the Deutsche Oper Berlin and with
the German operatic repertory.  He began singing the great Heldenbaryton
roles at Bayreuth in 1960.  He sang all of the leading Wagnerian parts at
Bayreuth and in the leading opera houses of the world over the next decades
with particular success in the roles of Wotan in The Ring and Hans Sachs in
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg.  He and Evelyn Lear are now retired to the
Washington area where they are active on the musical scene.  He appeared in
the speaking part of Pasha Selim in the Washington Opera's 1999 production
of Mozart's Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the
Seraglio).

Film Program: The 1999-2000 film series program will open on Thursday,
September 30, at 7:30 PM with Part I of the famous 1983 Wagner film
biography directed by Tony Palmer and starring Richard Burton, John
Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, and Vanessa Redgrave.  (Part II of the film will
be presented on October 28; Part III on November 18.) All showings will be
at The George Washington University, Funger Hall 103, 2201 G Street, NW.

The Wagner Society of Washington D.C. is a non-profit corporation
created for the study and enjoyment of Wagner's art.  Its 1999-2000 season
will continue with monthly programs and films through June.  Events are
open to members and free to the public.  Membership forms are available at
www.wagner-dc.org.

   The Wagner Society of Washington, D. C.
   PO Box 33051
   Washington, D. C. 20033
   Tel 301.907.2600  Fax 301.907.8671
   http://www.wagner-dc.org/

Janice Rosen