Opera singer Diba Alvi took the stage 12 years ago with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra for “An Evening with Diba Alvi.” Now she will return to the area to perform on Jan. 26 at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church.
According to Alvi, she has always felt a calling toward music. Starting at the age of 7, she began playing piano and started dancing.
“Music and the arts were always something I was introduced to and familiar with,” Alvi said. “When I was in high school, I started taking voice lessons and the singing just kind of took off. The first [opera] I ever saw was ‘Carmen’ when I was, I think, 15 years old, and I thought, ‘That is what I want to do.’”
The program is set to feature music from languages such French, German, Italian, Spanish and English, in addition to a variety of time periods. Alvi has programmed some of the pieces to be music that ETSU students might be working on as part of her week-long residency working with music students.
“I will be doing a little bit of everything with the voice department while I am there,” Alvi said. “This time I am at ETSU I will be giving lessons to the voice students while I am there and working with the singers that are doing their spring opera, which is ‘Gianni Schicchi’ by [Giacomo] Puccini. I will also be lecturing on French diction because it is a language I am very comfortable with, and I have been speaking for a long time.”
Director of Mary B. Martin School of the Arts Anita DeAngelis recommends the community coming out to see Alvi’s performance.
“Opera is a very intense experience,” DeAngelis said. “It can solicit particular emotions in individuals. I think those are good things to have happen. I think that is one of those things that is the power of the arts is that it helps us connect with deeper feelings than we might have had previously.”
Alvi explained that she was excited to return to Tennessee to perform again and showcase live music that she is passionate about.
“I can only speak for myself when I say this, but I feel very much that whatever gift, no matter big or small, that has been given, it is my responsibility, not just my pleasure, to do something with that gift and share it,” Alvi said. “This is one way in which I can share what I have with everybody.
The program will begin at 3 p.m., with tickets priced at $5 for students with an ID, $20 for general admission and $15 for senior 60 years old and older.
