The Santa Monica College Opera Theatre presents “Sue Ann Pinner & Friends — A Tribute to Walter Ducloux” on Sunday, Nov. 1.
The special benefit concert is part of SMC’s yearlong celebration of its 75th anniversary and, with its special emphasis on alumni, will spotlight special guest Adam Edward Meza, an alumnus now studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
“I’m very excited about this program because this is an opportunity to pay homage to my mentor and teacher, Walter Ducloux, a remarkable man and arguably the most influential person in creating opera workshops in academia in this country,” said Pinner, the theatre’s artistic director. “It’s also a thrill to be spotlighting one of our most talented alumni, Adam Edward Meza, who, indirectly, is the product of Dr. Ducloux’s brilliant teaching.”
On the program will be Schumann’s “Widmug,” which was sung at Ducloux’s wedding and funeral; a variety of operatic duets featuring Pinner with baritone Meza, as well as Catherine Mann, lyric mezzo soprano; and selections from Pinner’s CD “Adoremus,” including Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” which has been nominated for three United Catholic Musicians and Video Association’s 2004 Unity Awards. In addition, the program will include “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep,” which will be released on Pinner’s new CD in 2005.
Other featured artists include harpist Marcia Dickstein, guitarist Joey Prather, and piano accompanist Greg Schreiner, who wrote “Do Not Stand.” The program will also include SMC students and other alumni.
Ducloux was a Swiss-born conductor, stage director and teacher who died in Austin, Texas, in 1997 at the age of 83. He was assistant conductor to Arturo Toscanini and, following his war-time service in Military Intelligence, including a stint as interpreter for General George Patton, he served as head of the Czech National Opera in Prague and worked with the music programs of the Voice of America. Following the war, he moved to Los Angeles, where he built the opera program at the University of Southern California, and later moved to Austin to head the opera program at the University of Texas, where Pinner studied with him when earning her master’s degree.
Ducloux has been recognized internationally for his work in opera and for his translations of operas into English. However, he is best remembered for his teaching.
Pinner is an SMC voice professor, professional opera singer and internationally renowned recording artist, who won a 2001 Emmy for the video of the SMC production of Faust, which aired on Los Angeles City Channel 36 and City TV- Channel 16 in Santa Monica. Pinner was the executive producer and lead performer. She also had leading roles in the TV opera videos of La Boheme and Dialogue of the Carmelites.
The event will be staged at 7:30 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 624 N. Rossmore, in Hollywood. Tickets are $16. For more information, call (310) 434-3000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 29, 2004. Read the original PDF.