Granner/Williamson Duo

We have arranged to have both performers at once!

LISA WILLIAMSON

Known for the agility of her lyric-coloratura voice and her theatrical artistry, soprano Lisa Williamson excels in a wide variety of musical styles ranging from the operatic repertoire of Donizetti, Puccini and Verdi to the musical theater of Rodgers and Hammerstein and Lerner and Loewe. She has performed with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Jacksonville Symphony, Florida West Coast Symphony and Quad City Symphony. She had her Carnegie Hall debut with the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra and she has performed with renowned conductor, Erich Kunzel, and the Toronto Symphony. Operatic performances have included Violetta in La Traviata, Susannah in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Blanche in Dialogues of the Carmelites. Most recently, she has performed in Rigoletto with the Asheville Lyric Opera, Die Fledermaus and Pirates of Penzance with Light Opera Oklahoma, and Mozart's Requiem and songs of Duke Ellington with The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.

In addition to stage, concert, and recital work, she has performed as a voice talent on numerous recordings, including the Broadway tour soundtrack of 42nd Street, the Branson, Missouri production of The Will Rogers' Follies, as well as frequent performances on behalf of philanthropic organizations across the country. Lisa Williamson is quite a busy lady… and with the ring of each dazzling note from her always on-target voice, it’s clear to see why.

“It is quite impossible to separate the skill of her vocal performance from the complete believability of her skills as a singing actress.”
-- Asheville Lyric Opera

NATHAN GRANNER

Nathan Granner’s mix of “golden age” timbre and exuberant, daring character on the stage have garnered accolades from Opera News, Opera Now, The New York Times, London Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal. He has made leading principal debuts with notable companies, including Wolf Trap Opera, Opera Theatre Saint Louis and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Twice he has sung with the National Symphony Orchestra and has been a regional and semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. With all of these accomplishments, he has still found time to serve as Artistic Director of “Musical Theater Heritage,” which produces the Night on the Town radio program, hosted by George Harter and Night of Song, featuring intimate nights of musical theater and opera. He is also one of the members of The American Tenors, who have recently completed their first album on Sony Classical/Odyssey.

It seems almost folly to say he is “accompanied” by virtuoso guitarist, Beau Bledsoe, as Mr. Bledsoe is an absolute master of flamenco and classical styles. These two consummate musicians complement each other so beautifully, that any style they present – from classical to flamenco and even to spiritual – seems to dance through the air with joyous and effortless ease. With surprising humor and exceptional audience rapport, Nathan Granner commands the stage, supported by the understated elegance of his brilliant accompanist.

”… raised the spirits of all present…”
-- The AT Times

“The next time Granner and Bledsoe do come to town, make the effort to hear them. You won’t be disappointed.”
-- James D. Watts, World Entertainment writer, Tulsa, OK

Lisa Williamson - Bio

Soprano, Lisa Williamson, known for the agility of her lyric-coloratura voice and her theatrical artistry, has excelled in a wide variety of musical styles, ranging from the operatic repertoire of Donizetti, Puccini and Verdi to the musical theater of Rodgers and Hammerstein and Lerner and Loewe. She has performed with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Jacksonville Symphony, Florida West Coast Symphony, Quad City Symphony, the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra during her Carnegie Hall debut and with the Toronto Symphony, performing with renowned conductor, Erich Kunzel.

Miss Williamson's operatic performances have included Violetta in La Traviata at the Pine Mountain Music Festival, Susannah in Le Nozze di Figaro with the Evansville Philharmonic, Blanche in Dialogues of the Carmelites with Tulsa Opera in their young artists program, and Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus and Musetta in La Bohème with Triangle Opera.

Last season included performances of Rigoletto with the Asheville Lyric Opera, Die Fledermaus and Pirates of Penzance with Light Opera Oklahoma, Mozart's Requiem and songs of Duke Ellington with The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. This season will include performances of La Bohème with the Asheville Lyric Opera, concerts with the Jacksonville Symphony and recitals and master classes in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Oklahoma.

In addition to stage, concert, and recital work, Miss Williamson has performed as a voice talent on numerous recordings, including the Broadway tour soundtrack of 42nd Street and the Branson production of The Will Rogers' Follies. She frequently performs on behalf of philanthropic organizations around the country.

NATHAN GRANNER - Bio

Nathan Granner has made leading principal debuts, winning accolades from Opera News, Opera Now, The New York Times, London Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, with such notable companies as Wolf Trap Opera, singing Ferrando in Cosi fan Tutte, Arbace in Idomeneo and Sellem in Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress. Nathan was featured as Remus in Opera Theatre Saint Louis’ production of L’Elisir d’Amore, a role he will reprise in 2005 with Bob Jones University. He has cultivated a long friendship with Opera Tampa, having sung Beppe in I Pagliacci, Borsa and Celestiano Madeiros in Anton Coppola’s world premiere, Sacco and Vanzetti. At Pamiro Opera in Green Bay, Mr. Granner was again featured as Beppe, and Light Opera Oklahoma called him their Camille in The Merry Widow.

On two occasions, Mr. Granner has sung concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra, sponsored by Wolf Trap Opera, and became a Regional Finalist and a National Semi-Finalist in the 1999 and 2002 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Nathan also collaborated with The Kansas City Ballet and choreographer/dancer Jennifer Owen on three world premiers.

With the momentum from his first solo CD, released on the Touchartists label and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Nathan joined to become one of The American Tenors, who have recently completed their first album for the Sony Classical/Odyssey Label. Their self-titled CD is available worldwide through most major chains, online and independent retail stores. Their concert, taped at the Kodak Theatre was a smash hit for PBS’ 2003 festival season and is available in DVD/VHS form. Nathan can also be heard on track 16 of Tango Lorca’s new crushingly haunting and exuberant album, Mujer Sola.

-- RaymondLutz - 15 Mar 2005