Lenena Brezna
Lenena Brezna, a lecturer in voice at Lee University, will present a faculty recital on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Squires Recital Hall.
Ms. Brezna, coloratura soprano, will be accompanied by Mary Beth Wickes on the piano. They will perform works from composers W.A. Mozart, Richard Strauss, Darius Milhaud, and Dominick Argento, such as “Et incarnates est,” “Chansons de Ronsard,” and “Songs About Spring.”
Ms. Brezna is a native of Booneville, Miss. She obtained her master’s degree in vocal performance from Louisiana State University and a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Mississippi. In 1993, she was honored to represent her state in the Miss America pageant. She has been described as a "prodigious talent, with insightful musicality and sparkling high notes."
Ms. Brezna has performed with numerous operas and symphonies, including Amici Opera, Natchez Opera, Pensacola Opera, Mississippi Symphony, and Corinth Symphony. She recently performed the role of Bianca Germont in the world premiere of "Silent Partners" by John Peterson. She has portrayed the operatic characters of Musetta, Donna Anna, Gilda, Violetta, Adele, and Queen of the Night. In 2007, she was awarded the Charlie Reicker Memorial Scholarship to further her career in opera, and, in 2000, she was honored to be a national semi-finalist for the McCalister awards in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She has also received the Audience Choice Award and Encouragement Award from regional MET auditions. Ms. Brezna recently completed course work for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Memphis.
Ms. Wickes is the director of accompanying for Lee’s School of Music, coordinating the staff accompanists as well as serving as a staff accompanist. She has worked at Lee in both administrative and musical roles since 1987. She holds a master’s of music degree and is the accompanist for the Lee University Choral Union. She served as pianist/organist and adult ensemble director at First Baptist Church in Cleveland for 26 years, and currently is organist at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland.
The performance is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the Lee University School of Music at 614-8240.