The University of Oklahoma School of Music and the OU Symphony Orchestra are pleased to welcome guest artist Robert Hale, world-renowned bass-baritone and University of Oklahoma alumnus at 8 p.m. on Friday, December 5, in the Sharp Concert Hall.

"All around the world, music-lovers flock to Mr. Hale's performances, and his singing here must rank as one of our area's not-to-be-missed musical events this year,” says Dr. Jonathan Shames, director of orchestral activities. “He is one of the great Wagnerian singers of our time- and an OU alum.”
 
“The OU Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to be performing with Robert Hale. We think his performing here will energize the students in their own work and give them a real sense of pride in their OU training,” says Shames.
 
“The orchestra is intensely focused both on the fantastic music and its challenges as well as the responsibility of playing with such a renowned performer. We all anticipate an immensely moving and exciting evening."
 
As part of the Sutton Concert Series and along with the OU Symphony Orchestra, Hale will sing music from three of his major roles- Mephisopeles, The Flying Dutchman and Wotan. Hale will perform the Overture and Die Frist ist um from The Flying Dutchman; Sigfried’s Forest Whispers; the final scene from Die Walkure; Wotan’s Farewell and Magic Fire Music. Other OU Symphony Orchestra highlights for the evening include the OU Concert Winners; Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro Overture; Gounod’s Serenade and Le Veau D’or. It will be a splendid evening of entertainment in your OU Arts District!
 
Hale is best known for his Wagnerian roles, especially Wotan in “The Ring” cycle and the title role in “The Flying Dutchman,” works that he has recorded with conductors Wolfgang Sawallisch and Christoph von Dohnányi.
An internationally acclaimed bass-baritone, Hale was born in Louisiana, received his early education in Oklahoma and pursued professional musical studies at Boston University and The New England Conservatory of Music.

The University of Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra is the student orchestra of the OU School of Music. Comprised entirely of students, approximately 90 percent of whom are music majors, the full 90-piece orchestra plays four full concerts per year and plays regularly for staged performances of the OU Opera Theater, OU Musical Theatre and Oklahoma Festival Ballet, the resident ballet company of the University of Oklahoma.
 
The orchestra’s repertoire ranges from light classics to symphonic masterpieces and centers on major works regularly performed by professional orchestras. Dr. Jonathan Shames is the music director and conductor for the OU Symphony Orchestra.
 
All Sutton Series performances are in OU’s Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd, in the OU Arts District. Tickets for Sutton Series events are $8 for adults and $5 for students, faculty, staff and senior adults. For tickets and up-to-date information call the Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101. This concert will be streamed live via Internet, to listen visit http://music.ou.edu/calendar (link opens in new window).

Please visit http://music.ou.edu/ (link opens in new window) for a full calendar of events and performances at the School of Music. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call the Box Office at (405) 325-4101.