Program Change Announcement for Dock Street Theatre Gala April 1st

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Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves to replace Natalie Dessay

Celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, who portrayed Giullietta in the 1991 Spoleto production of Les Contes d’Hoffman, will replace singer Natalie Dessay at the Dock Street Theatre Reopening Gala on Thursday, April 1st in Charleston, SC. Ms. Dessay has cancelled all upcoming U.S. appearances due to illness.

Recognized worldwide as one of today's most exciting vocal stars, Ms. Graves is hailed by USA Today as “an operatic superstar of the 21st century.” The combination of her expressive, rich vocalism, elegant stage presence, and exciting theatrical abilities allows Ms. Graves to pursue a wide breadth of operatic portrayals as well as delight audiences in concert and recital appearances on the world’s most illustrious stages.

Ms. Graves will join Spoleto Festival USA artists violinist Geoff Nuttall, pianist Pedja Muzijevic, cellist Christopher Costanza, violist Caroline Blackwell, actress Heather Gillespie, and artists from the new Spoleto production of Flora, an Opera to celebrate the reopening of the Dock Street Theatre following a three-year renovation and to pay tribute to the building and its significance to Charleston’s thriving cultural life.

Thursday, April 1, 2010
6:00pm Champagne Reception
7:00pm Gala Concert

Tickets are still available ($250) online at spoletousa.org or by calling 843.579.3100

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