By Mike Greife,
February 12, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – The Performing Arts Series at the University of Central Missouri,
in conjunction with the Department of Music, presents “A Night at The Opera!” at 7:30
p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, in Hart Recital Hall.
Members of the UCM voice faculty, along with special guests Ray Feener and Natalia
Rivera, will perform operatic highlights by Puccini, Verdi, Mozart and more in a special
night of solos, duets and quartets.
A native of Bremen, Ohio, Feener has performed throughout the United States, Holland,
Austria, and Italy. He has made a home in the operatic, oratorio, concert and art
song repertoire, and is known for his beautiful lyric voice and outstanding acting
ability.
Feener received his bachelor’s degree in choral education and master’s degree in vocal
performance from Ohio University. He earned his doctoral degree from the Florida State
University School of Music in vocal performance/opera emphasis. He has served on faculty
at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, as assistant professor
of voice at Ohio University, and currently serves as assistant professor of voice
at the UMKC Conservatory of Music.
Natalia Rivera is an assistant professor, vocal coach and accompanist at the UMKC
Conservatory of Music and Dance in Kansas City. Rivera earned a Bachelor of Music
degree in piano performance from the New England Conservatory and the Master of Collaborative
Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. She continued her studies in the Professional
Studies program at the Juilliard School of Music. She has received several awards
and has performed both in the United States and abroad.
Rivera was instructor of piano and music director of the Opera Workshop at Vassar
College; assistant opera coach at the Mannes Conservatory of Music; assistant professor
of vocal coaching and accompaniment at Florida State University; and assistant professor
of vocal coaching at the Ohio University School of Music. She has also served on the
faculty of the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.
Tickets for “A Night at The Opera!” are $3 for students and $7 for adults and are
available online at ucmpas.com one week before the event, at the Central Ticket Box
Office in Administration 100-B, by calling 660-543-8888, or one hour prior to show
time at Hart Recital Hall.
