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Guest Soprano Announced for York Symphony Orchestra Event This Fall
Lisa Williamson will join Tenor Mario Frangoulis for Horatio Alger Concert

WASHINGTON, October 3, 2011 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is pleased to announce that Lisa Williamson will serve as guest soprano for its concert event this fall.

Williamson will perform with the International Ambassador for the Horatio Alger Association and Greek tenor, Mario Frangoulis and the York Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Hart Baker during a live concert at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center on November 12, 2011.

“We are pleased to have Lisa Williamson join our International Ambassador, Mario Franguolis as they perform with the York Symphony Orchestra, to help raise awareness of the mission and programs of the Horatio Alger Association,” said Terrence J. Giroux, executive director of the Horatio Alger Association. “This event honors our members and scholars from Pennsylvania and Maryland who contribute to the association to help outstanding local students attend college and achieve the American dream.”

Williamson’s career includes performing as Violetta in La Traviata with the Pine Mountain Music Festival and as Susannah in Le Nozze di Figaro with well-known Metropolitan baritone Vernon Hartman and operatic legend Spiro Malis. She also portrayed Blanche in Dialogues des Carmélites with the Tulsa Opera’s young artists program, and Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus andMusettain La Bohème with the Triangle Opera. Additionally, she has made guest appearances with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Jacksonville Symphony, Florida West Coast Symphony, Quad City Symphony, and the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra during her Carnegie Hall debut with Metropolitan Opera baritone Timothy Noble. Williamson also performed with the renowned Prince of Pops conductor, the late Erich Kunzel, for the Toronto Symphony.

In addition to performing on stage, directing and teaching master classes, 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 donates her time in performances that have helped to raise nearly a million dollars for philanthropic organizations around the country.

Williamson will join featured tenor Frangoulis who is best known for his powerful and charismatic live performances. After two highly acclaimed international releases through Sony Classical, which were fixtures on the Billboard Classical Crossover Charts, “Sometimes I Dream” and “Follow Your Heart,” he has continued on a diverse path both in the studio and through live performances. Frangoulis will bring his melodies of the Mediterranean to York for the first time with Vincero Perdero, Notte di Luce (Nights in White Satin), Music of the Night and songs from his new international album.

Tickets are on sale for the fall concert. For ticket purchase and more information on the event, visit http://www.yorksymphony.org/concert-tickets.asp or contact the York Symphony Orchestra at 717-812-0717 or sbear@yorksymphony.org.

About the Horatio Alger Association:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program, state scholarship programs, and graduate grants. The association will have awarded more than $87 million in scholarships through 2012 to deserving young people determined to earn college degrees. The association is a Combined Federal Campaign participant; # 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org

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