Favorite arias to crescendo in Pfortmillers' Ke-Nekt concert April 27

Accomplished opera singers Kyle Pfortmiller, a baritone, and soprano Laura Pfortmiller, whose careers have brought each to Oswego in the past, will perform duets and arias from grand opera composers at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, in SUNY Oswego’s Sheldon Hall ballroom.

A pre-concert talk for the season finale of the college’s Ke-Nekt Chamber Music Series is scheduled for 7 p.m. Music department faculty member Juan La Manna will serve as host and accompanist.

Kyle Pfortmiller made his Metropolitan Opera debut as the Marquis d’Obigny in a new production of “La Traviata” in 2010-11. Besides the Met and the New York City Opera, he has appeared with opera companies in Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, The Netherlands and many others—including Oswego.

“I first met Kyle Pfortmiller years ago, when he interpreted the role of Figaro in Oswego Opera’s production of ‘The Barber of Seville.’” La Manna said. “He was terrific as both a singer and an actor—an outstanding baritone and extremely funny Figaro!”

La Manna, who was then artistic director and conductor for Oswego Opera, hired Pfortmiller for Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in the role of Papageno, “which he performed with wonderful artistry and characterization,” La Manna said.

A couple of years later, Kyle’s wife Laura joined the production of “The Merry Widow” at Oswego Opera, “captivating us with her exceptional soprano voice and artistry,” La Manna said.

Each of the Pfortmillers has appeared in many of the most beloved operas. For Kyle: “Die Fledermaus,” “My Fair Lady,” “A Little Night Music,” “Don Giovanni,” “Pagliacci” and more. For Laura: Most of the same, plus “La Bohème,” “Rigoletto,” “Carmen,” “Guys and Dolls” and “H.M.S. Pinafore,” among others.

Tickets for the Pfortmillers’ concert are $15 ($5 for all students) and are available at all SUNY Oswego box offices, online at tickets.oswego.edu or by calling 315-312-2141. Patrons with disabilities needing assistance should call 315-312-2141 in advance of the performance.

Parking is included in the price of a ticket, and is available in the employee and commuter lots adjacent to Sheldon Hall and across Washington Avenue from the building.