NEW YORK, July 15, 2011 — The New World Premiere performances of Pine Mountain Music Festival's opera Rockland will be given on July 15 and 17 at the Rozsa Center for Performing Arts on the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. The Sunday, July 17th performance at 3:00 pm Eastern Time will also be broadcast live. To view this free live broadcast – click here.
This new work is based on an incident that took place in the town of Rockland in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1906, when striking Finnish copper miners were confronted by sheriff's deputies and two of the miners were killed.
Mark Walters takes on the role of Pekka, an abusive, alcoholic miner. For the sake of his family's future, Pekka vows to stop drinking and goes on to lead the strike. He is shot during the strike and his body remains near the mine over night as a warning to the other strikers.
"It's always a thrill and a challenge be involved in the premiere of a new piece," says Walters. "I think Pekka is driven to drink and abuse his wife by his feelings of helplessness in the outcome of his own life. It's a dark place to go to as an actor, but necessary in order to believe his efforts to change and be redeemed by his ultimate sacrifice."
Rockland was created by the Finnish composer Jukka Linkola and Finnish librettist/stage director Jussi Tapola and will be lead by American conductor Craig Randal Johnson. Also featured in the tight-knit ensemble cast are American tenor William Joyner, American soprano Barbara Shirvis and renowned Finnish dramatic-baritone Esa Ruuttunen.
Recent news regarding Mark Walters
Walters was just named the Olson Artist for the 2011-2012 season with Florida Grand Opera. This honor is given to one outstanding American artist each season and will coincide with his performances in the title role of Rigoletto with FGO in Jan.-Feb. 2012.
Last April, Walters was seen in the world premiere of Rappahannock County by composer Ricky Ian Gordon and librettist Mark Campbell. This piece, based on personal accounts of the Civil War, was spearheaded by the Virginia Arts Festival and was recorded on the Naxos label. Opera News says, "Baritone Mark Walters revealed a particularly warm, communicative tone; his account of 'Making Maps' was one of the evening's most affecting passages." For video highlights on the making of Rappahannock County – click here.
Upcoming events for Mark Walters
July 15, 2011
Jukka Linkola: Rockland (Pekka) – US Premiere
The Pine Mountain Music Festival
Hancock, MI
Performances: July 15, 17.
July 23, 2011
Carmen (Escamillo)
Buck Hill Skytop Music Festival
Swiftwater, PA
Performance: July 23.
September 16, 2011
Ricky Ian Gordon: Rappahannock County
The Virginia Arts Festival and Virginia Opera
Richmond, VA
Performances: September 16, 18 at the Modlin Center for the Arts.
September 23, 2011
Ricky Ian Gordon: Rappahannock County
The Virginia Arts Festival and Virginia Opera
Austin, TX
Performances: September 23, 25 at the Texas Performing Arts Center.
November 11, 2011
Gounod: Faust (Valentin)
Arizona Opera
Phoenix, AZ
Performances: November 11, 12, 13 in Phoenix and 19, 20 in Tucson.
January 31, 2012
Verdi: Title role in Rigoletto
Florida Grand Opera
Miami, FL
Performances: January 28, 31, February 3, 5, 8, 11 in Miami and February 16, 18 in Ft. Lauderdale.
March 13, 2012
Verdi: Il Trovatore (Conte di Luna)
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
Performances: March 13, 15, 17.
Photo of Mark Walters by Tom Sapp – click here
Contact information:
Joseph Busseto
Email
910-467-4356
http://www.markwaltersbaritone.com
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