Alumni return to perform a gala of opera scenes
Each fall, VCU Opera delights fans with a fully staged gala of scenes from famous operas. The annual production of opera’s “greatest hits” features the talents of student singers from the School of the Arts Department of Music, providing valuable experience and preparing them for future success as opera singers. This year’s gala, “Tangled Webs,” features the return of two distinguished VCU Opera alumni.
Vanessa Naghdi (B.M.’12/A) earned a master’s in opera performance at Arizona State University after completing a bachelor’s in vocal performance at VCU. As an undergraduate, Naghdi sang roles in “Amelia Goes to the Ball,” “Hansel and Gretel” and “Suor Angelica.” She recently completed an eight-month residency with Opera Colorado and previously toured with Arizona Opera. Naghdi has also performed internationally with the Mittelsächsisches Theater and Philharmonic in Freiburg, Germany.
Forrest Glass (B.M.’16/A) recently earned a master’s in choral conducting at Temple University and is pursuing a second master’s in vocal performance there. He has received major awards at Temple for musicianship, academic excellence and conducting. At VCU, Glass sang roles in “Gianni Schicchi,” “La Cambiale di Matrimonio,” “The Medium” and “The Gondoliers.” He serves as music director at First United Methodist Church of Germantown and sings professionally with Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Symphonic Choir.
Opera lovers can catch two performances of “Tangled Webs,” Saturday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free.
Categories Alumni