The Adelphi University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Music Department Chair Christopher Lyndon-Gee, will perform a variety of operatic scenes on Friday, February 29, 2008, at 8:00 p.m., in the Cathedral of the Incarnation, 50 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530.

The concert includes the premiere of Act Two of Joanne Metcalf's depiction of the musicians of Vivaldi's Venice in the opera Orphans of the Heavenly City. The principal role of La Serenissima will be sung by Metropolitan Opera and international recording star Carol Yahr. One of the highlights of the evening will be the performance by bass-baritone Kerry Henderson of Australian composer Larry Sitsky's De Profundis, based on Oscar Wilde's heart-rending letter written from prison. Opening and closing the program are extracts from Act One of Ludwig van Beethoven's revolutionary-political opera Fidelio; and the Prelude and Liebestod from Richard Wagner's passionate drama of love and betrayal, Tristan und Isolde.

Also featured on the program are tenors Jonathan Goodman and Michael Hume of the Adelphi faculty, and soprano Danielle Vita '06. The Adelphi Symphony Orchestra brings together talented University students who play alongside their teachers as well as area professionals, many trained in the great musical traditions of Russia, Ukraine, and Germany.

General admission tickets are $12; student (under 16) and senior citizen tickets are $8; and Adelphi student and faculty tickets are free (with ID). For more information about this and other events, please visit www.adelphi.edu, or call the Cultural Events Hotline at (516) 877-4555.