Soprano Diba Alvi
Names, characters, costumes, notes and venues change, but reviewers find soprano Diba Alvi “spectacular,” “alluring” and “impressive” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) and in command of “the stage with stellar vocalism and a sharply dramatic personality” (Pittsburgh Tribune).
During the 2008-2009 season, she performed with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra in a program titled “An Evening with Diba Alvi,” and she returns Sunday, Jan. 26, at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, Johnson City, Tenn., at 3 p.m.
Alvi’s operatic engagements include “The Merry Widow” and “Un Ballo in Maschera” with Palm Beach Opera, “La Favorita” and “Les Huguenots” with Opera Orchestra of New York, the American bicoastal premiere of “The Ring Saga” with Long Beach Opera and “The Magic Flute,” “Orpheus and Euridice,” “Gianni Schicchi,” “Die Fledermaus,” “A View from the Bridge,” “Summer and Smoke” and “Hansel and Gretel” with Opera Theater of Pittsburgh.
The soprano’s characterizations, as well as her virtuosity, often attract attention. “Most spectacular is the agile coloratura and alluring stage presence of Diba Alvi, as the pert and sexy chambermaid Adele [in “Die Fledermaus”],” says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “She was predictably impressive in the popular Laughing Song, then later topped that by stealing the show with a brilliant rendition of the less familiar Audition aria in Act 3.”
She has performed a spectrum of operatic roles at University of Michigan and Oberlin, as well, while her concert appearances span the Eastern portion of the U.S. and works by composers including Handel, Schumann, Poulenc, Vivaldi, Donizetti, Mahler and Orff.
Alvi also slips into the role of professor, as a faculty member at the University of Maryland since 2008 and at the Peabody Conservatory of Music since 2009. She has served on the faculty of Young Artists of America’s Vocal Program in Maryland, the Vocal Arts Academy for High School Students in Ohio and Opera Theater Summerfest in Pennsylvania and the Ezio Pinza Council for American Singers of Opera in Italy, established in memory of the opera bass Ezio Pinza.
In 2020 she will join the voice faculty of the Brancaleoni International Music Festival in Italy.
Alvi holds vocal master classes and workshops during a weeklong residency at ETSU in addition to her performance Jan. 26 at Munsey Church.
For more information about the Martin School of the Arts events or tickets, visit www.etsu.edu/martin or call 423-439-8587. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.
