University students enjoy a wide variety of music: pop, rock, indie, blues, jazz. Even the occasional country music aficionado lurks in the shadows of Eugene’s music scene. But there is one music genre that, almost without exception, strikes fear into the hearts of college students: opera. However, not all opera involves sequined jumpsuits or blond women with antlers. In fact, some opera can even be classified as “listener friendly.”
On Friday, the University community will have the opportunity to hear renowned tenor and University professor Mark Beudert and world-famous pianist Dalton Baldwin at Beall Concert Hall.
Baldwin, who lives in New York, is known as the “dean of American accompanists.” He has worked with many famous vocalists, such as Jessye Norman and Arlene Auger.
Beudert, who is an associate professor, first received national attention in the early 1980s as an undergraduate at Columbia University. The New York Shakespeare Festival was attempting a production of “The Pirates of Penzance.” As the result of a last-minute substitution, Beudert assumed the role of Frederick with 25 minutes notice and no rehearsal. The performance received critical acclaim and marked his first of many opposite Tony Award-winners Kevin Kline and George Rose.
According to the Web site for the University’s School of Music, Beudert has been a leading tenor with such opera companies as New York City Opera, English National Opera, Turin Opera and Scottish Opera. Beudert has performed throughout the United States and in Great Britain, Australia, France and Germany.
Beudert received a master’s of music from the University of Michigan in 1991. While at Michigan, he studied vocal technique and interpretation with Professor George Shirley.
“Mark has a wonderful tenor voice,” Shirley said. “He is an intense interpreter of musical literature and an excellent singing actor.”
Shirley spoke of the “vocal thumbprint,” which means the unique aspect of a singer’s voice that identifies the singer to listeners. Identifying the vocal thumbprints of Eddie Vedder or Britney Spears is usually easy, because they sing unique songs and have individual styles. However, classical vocalists don’t often have the opportunity to sing original work, so it is important that they find new ways of interpreting music and making it their own.
Beudert’s lasting influence on music is demonstrated by the fact that he continues to be recruited by opera companies throughout the world, Shirley said.
“The fact that he’s still being hired, even though he’s dedicated a lot of time to teaching, speaks very highly of him as a singer,” he said. “This isn’t easy because he’s not always available. But people are still willing to ask for Mark.”
Shirley also added that Beudert’s students are “fortunate to have him as a professor because his insights are still available to them.”
The concert is part of the School of Music’s Faculty Artist Series. The performance is Friday at 8 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall.
Tickets are $7 general admission and $4 for students and seniors. For more information, call 346-3761.