THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 8, 1994 TAG: 9411080348
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK MOBLEY, MUSIC CRITIC
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Soprano Kathleen Battle, one of the most acclaimed and popular artists in classical music, will appear in Norfolk on Feb. 12. Her Chrysler Hall recital of spirituals and Duke Ellington songs with jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut will benefit the Virginia Symphony, which is celebrating its 75th season.
Battle's career spans the operatic, concert and recital stages, and she has appeared with the world's greatest orchestras and opera companies. Her recordings range from the Baroque to the 20th century and include a popular disc of spirituals and even a cameo on Janet Jackson's ``janet.'' She is the recipient of five Grammy awards.
Battle has collaborated with such artists as the trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, soprano Jessye Norman and conductor Herbert von Karajan. Metropolitan Opera artistic director James Levine has accompanied her as both conductor and pianist. In February, Battle was fired from the Metropolitan, for ``unprofessional actions'' in rehearsals.
Chestnut, whose debut album ``Revelation'' was greeted with rave reviews, has worked as side man to singers Betty Carter and Jon Hendricks. Chestnut appeared at the Williamsburg Regional Library in March. In this recital's Ellington selections, Battle and Chestnut will be joined by a saxophonist to be named later.
The recital is expected to raise $75,000 for the orchestra, which has an annual budget of $3.2 million. Other fund-raising events include a fashion show Thursday at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel and the second Virginia Symphony Marathon on April 7 and 8.
Tickets for this gala performance are $30, $40, $50 and $75, and go on sale to Virginia Symphony subscribers on Monday. To order call 623-2310.
Tickets for the general public go on sale Nov. 28 and will be available through TicketMaster, 671-8100.
Premium tickets are $125 and include a post-concert reception with Battle. These will be available at 623-2310 on Monday.
For more information about Thursday's fashion show, call 623-8590. by CNB