News Release

Vocal legend, jazz pianist bring spirituals, holiday music to Memorial

CHAPEL HILL – Opera legend Kathleen Battle and jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut will perform spirituals and seasonal holiday music on Nov. 26 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
 
The 7:30 p.m. performance in Memorial Hall’s Beasley-Curtis Auditorium is presented by Carolina Performing Arts as part of its 2007-08 special events programming.

“We’re fortunate to have these two exceptional musicians coming together for a unique seasonal performance,” said Emil Kang, UNC’s executive director for the arts. “Kathleen Battle and Cyrus Chestnut will help ring in the holidays with style.”

Five-time Grammy winner Battle has performed in the world’s leading opera houses and concert halls. Her repertoire spans three centuries. Chestnut’s style is rooted in African-American traditions. He has worked with some of the jazz world’s most accomplished musicians, including Wynton Marsalis, Betty Carter and Terence Blanchard.
 
Other 2007-08 Carolina Performing Arts Special Events will include performances by Carolina Ballet in “Nutcracker” on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-2; cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Friends on Feb. 27 (sold out); singer/songwriter k.d. lang on March 5; and Broadway sensation STOMP on April 8 and 9.

Tickets for the holiday concert by Battle and Chestnut are available online at www.carolinaperformingarts.org, by calling (919) 843-3333, or at the Memorial Hall Box Office on Cameron Avenue, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Tickets range from $60 to $30. Tickets for Carolina students are $10. Tickets for all other performances in the 2007-08 Carolina Performing Arts season also are on sale now.

Note: For photos and artist media kits, visit http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/media/

Carolina Performing Arts contact: Harry Kaplowitz, (919) 843-3119, hkaplowitz@unc.edu
News Services contact: LJ Toler, (919) 962-8589