Ashley Curling, soprano
Ashley Curling as Dama fills out a small role with a committed performance
and gorgeously blossoming high notes.
-- Opera Today
Ashley Curling was an impressive Dama di Lady.
--Parterre
A native of Roswell, Georgia Miss Curling was most recently seen as a semi-finalist in the Shreveport Opera Singer of the Year competition, and in Loft Opera’s Macbeth where she performed the role of Dama di Lady. Opera Today claims she “fills out a small role with committed performance and gorgeously blossoming high notes”. Last Fall she received her second award from the Wagner Society of New York, winning awards from the esteemed society in both 2015 and 2016.
In 2015, she made her concert debut with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra as the soprano soloist in Mozart’s Coronation Mass. This season she also sang the role of the Marschallin in Strauss’s der Rosenkavalier with Harrower Opera, the title role in Puccini’s Suor Angelica with the Trentino Music Festival, covered the role of Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Venture Opera, and appeared in concert as Desdemona in Verdi’s Otello with Martha Cardona Theatre.
She has appeared in productions with Atlanta Opera, New York Lyric Opera, Aspen Opera Theatre, and IVAI. In addition to her grants from the Wagner Society of New York, Ashley has received awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council, the Violetta Dupont Competition, New York Lyric Opera Competition, and Metropolitan International Vocal Competition. A native of Roswell, Georgia, she currently resides in New York City.
David Troy Francis, piano
Two time Pulitzer Prize winning composer Ned Rorem says of Mr. Francis: He plays the right note with the right tone at the right time. (what more can you ask of any performer?) And with this, he adds that indefinable element of himself, which is the magic of all true interpreters.
Mr. Francis has enjoyed a 50+ year career of musical excellence and performs in recital throughout America and Europe. He has ten cds available including the world premiere recording of Mr. Rorem's Eight Etudes for Piano on the cd entitled The Americans. The Los Angeles Times raves of Mr. Francis’ playing: consistently absorbing whether in lyrical repose or propulsive fury. Two of his best selling CDs include his unique and compelling arrangements of American Hymns.
Mr. Francis is the recording pianist for such films as Pursuit of Happyness, Elegy and Fame. He has composed music for film and television.
Mr. Francis is the creator, composer, musical director and executive producer of the runaway smash hit musical BARK! - the 3rd longest running production in Los Angeles theatrical history. The wildly successful show has been mounted in theatres from Florida to Alaska and internationally in Brazil and Scotland. BARK! has been selected critics’ choice by the Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune.
David Troy Francis was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and is best known for his steadfast championing and performance of contemporary American music. Now living in Roswell, Georgia, he is an esteemed concert pianist and recording artist as well as a respected composer, arranger and accompanist.