IU Alumna joins Indy symphony orchestra

Music lovers can head to Indianapolis for a world-class performance with Bloomington origins. \nIU alumna and Metropolitan Opera soprano Elizabeth Futral will perform Saturday with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for “Classical Christmas.”\n“The audience is going to hear one of the top sopranos today and we are thrilled to have her,” said Tim Northcutt, assistant director of communications for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.\nFutral graduated from IU Jacobs School of Music and has established herself as a well-known soprano performing a wide range of music, including works of Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini, Verdi, Glass and Previn.\n“She is an absolutely stunning vocalist who has incredible vocal range for a soprano,” Northcutt said. “In my opinion she is the most versatile in classical music because of her broad range of repertoire.” \nFutral has continued to establish herself as a favorite of opera houses around the world and to earn rave reviews. She began her rise to stardom in 1994 in a production of Delibes’ “Lakmé” at the New York City Opera and continued to perform at numerous opera houses including the Lyric Opera of Chicago. This will be her third performance with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.\n“Her sound is so crystal clear that is not forced,” Northcutt said. “She is a major star.”\nAlongside Futral, Apollo’s Voice choir, also from the IU Jacobs School of Music, will perform. This will be their eighth performance with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.\n“She has been given a great gift and it will be a great treat for people who want to come hear her sing,” Northcutt said.\nThe Classical Christmas concert with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will begin at 8 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Ballroom, 650 N. Meridian St. in Indianapolis. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased by calling the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office at (317) 639-4300, or by visiting the ISO’s Web site at www.IndianapolisSymphony.org.