SVF Returns to Savannah for Spring Concerts

Staff Report From Savannah CEO

Tuesday, February 19th, 2019

The Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) will celebrate the beauty of the changing seasons with fabulous Spring events. On March 11, SVF returns to the Davenport House Museum (DHM) for the third in its series of seasonal events. This concert will showcase VOICE artists in concert: Shana Grossman, JoAnna Pope, Asmik Arutiuniants, Peter Lake and Chad Sonka accompanied by SVF's Composer in Residence, Michael Ching. “Spring, Songs and Blooming Flowers” will be presented at 5 and 7 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2019 in the Davenport House Museum drawing room, 324 E State Street. Tickets are $35 and available at the Davenport House Museum Gift Shop and at www.davenporthousemuseum.org or www.savannahvoicefestival.org

Proceeds from the seasonal Davenport House Museum concerts benefit both non-profit organizations, SVF and DHM. “The Davenport House Museum has been an excellent partner for Savannah VOICE Festival and we always look forward to our special events and concerts here”, said co-founder of SVF and VE, Maria Zouves. “What better way to celebrate the return of Spring than the intimate setting of the Museum Garden in full bloom, with intoxicating music inspired by the season!”

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, SVF returns to the Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA) at 5111 Abercorn Street with The Soprano Voice. Soprano Shana Grossman returns to Savannah in recital celebrating the spectacular beauty of the soprano voice as well as her Jewish heritage. Peter Lake, JoAnna Pope, Asmik Arutiuniants and Composer-in-Residence, Michael Ching, will join her onstage for this exquisite event featuring a wide repertoire to include music from Jewish culture and traditions. SVF's own Maria Zouves and Festival Alumna Jessica Best will also join Shana for some memorable moments. This event is sponsored by Dr. Harvey Lebos with a post-concert reception hosted by Toby Hollenberg and Maria Zouves in honor of their birthdays. Tickets are $35 and are available at www.savannahvoicefestival.org

In addition, SVF will be supporting and participating in a Savannah Friends of Music event at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3 entitled "The Legend of Operatic Tenor Richard Tucker,” also at the JEA. This special presentation about the great American tenor Richard Tucker will be presented by his son, David, who talks about his new book "The Hard Bargain; music, medicine and my father" and will show film clips and play music from his father’s celebrated career. Richard Tucker was a famous operatic tenor who began his artistic path by singing as a cantor in New York City’s largest synagogue and went onto starring roles in operas, at the Metropolitan opera and around the world. Sherrill Milnes, legendary baritone and co-founder of VOICExperience (VE) and the Savannah VOICE Festival, has a long and deep association with the Tucker family and actually sang with Richard Tucker at the end of his career and beginning of Milnes. “I remember many occasions performing alongside Richard, particularly at the Met, during the 1960s and 70s. The world lost a great talent when he passed away too soon in 1975,” said Milnes.

Also, save the dates for both of SVF’s 2019 collaborations with the Savannah Music Festival on Sunday, April 7 with Santiago Ballerini and for Modern Broadway on Saturday, April 13.