Ema Nikolovska mezzo-soprano

26th American Recital Debut

Macedonian-Canadian mezzo-soprano, Ema Nikolovska makes her American recital debut with the Series in 2024. Already a mainstay on world opera stages, this will be the first time American audiences get to hear this once-in-a-generation voice in recital.

Nikolovska was the winner of the 2022 BBT Award, and has been a BBC New Generation Artist (2019-2022). In 2019 she won first prize at the International Vocal Competition in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Ferrier Loveday Song Prize (Kathleen Ferrier Awards), and was a prize-winner at the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) International Auditions.

A prolific recitalist, in the last year Ema performed at the Pierre Boulez Saal, and Konzerthaus Berlin, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, London’s Wigmore Hall, the Schubertíada Vilabertran, Leeds Lieder, Aldeburgh, Verbier, Gstaad and Toronto Summer Music Festivals, collaborating with Malcolm Martineau, Wolfram Rieger, Andras Schiff, Graham Johnson, and Joseph Middleton, among many others.

We’re excited to welcome Ema Nikolovska in our 59th Season for the Series’ 26th American Recital Debut.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 7 PM Folly Theater

Generously sponsored by: George Helmkamp

Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. Under Mr. Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 60 countries across the globe, the Company now ranks as one of the top ten African American dance companies in the United States.

Step Afrika! has earned Mayor’s Arts Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education, Innovation in the Arts, and Excellence in an Artistic Discipline. The Company is featured prominently at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture with the world’s first stepping interactive exhibit.

Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.

Williams,

Emanuel Ax piano

Returning Series favorite Emanuel Ax commands the stage each time he sits down at the piano. One of the most respected and awarded pianists of all time, his performance will mark over ten times Manny has graced the Series with his unforgettable interpretations.

Friday, April 5, 2024, 7 PM Folly Theater

Generously sponsored by: The Richard Harriman Fund for Excellence in the Arts

Sunday, April 7, 2024, 3 PM Folly Theater

Generously sponsored by: The William T. Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank, Trustee

His greatness, his overwhelming authority as musician, technician and probing intellect emerges quickly as he plays. Within minutes, we are totally captured by his intensity and pianistic achievement.” – Los Angeles Times

He has received Grammy® Awards for the second and third volumes of his cycle of Haydn’s piano sonatas. He has also made a series of Grammy®-winning recordings with cellist Yo-Yo Ma of the Beethoven and Brahms sonatas for cello and piano. In the

2004/05 season Mr. Ax contributed to an International EMMY® Award-Winning BBC documentary commemorating the Holocaust that aired on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. In 2013, Mr. Ax’s recording Variations received the Echo Klassik Award for Solo Recording of the Year (19th Century Music/Piano).

Mr. Ax is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and holds honorary doctorates of music from Skidmore College, New England Conservatory of Music, Yale University, and Columbia University.