It’s early in Coronado. The sun is barely up but the staff and volunteers at the Coronado Public Library are busy preparing for the day ahead.
As customers line up outside the locked doors they are suddenly alarmed by what seems like a small earthquake. The glass walls and doors begin to vibrate and shake. Everyone steps back.
This is no earthquake. It’s renowned soprano Diane Alexander warming up her pipes amongst the great acoustics and rows of books. She is rehearsing for an upcoming recital at Point Loma Nazarene University.
While most people limit their singing to the shower, Alexander, a part-time page at the library, loves to sing in the many spacious rooms found there. “I prefer the Spreckles Room,” says Alexander, although her singing isn’t limited to just that luxurious room. She sings in the lobby, the children’s library and even the restrooms.
The warm and silvery-voiced soprano will perform a recital at Point Loma Nazarene University’s Cooper Music Building on Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. Ines Irawati will accompany her on the piano for the one-hour performance.
The lyric soprano’s career highlights include performances with the Washington National Opera, a world premiere with the Houston Grand Opera as well as the San Francisco and New York City Operas, San Diego and Hawaii Operas, Central City Opera and others.
Alexander has performed “La Traviata,” “The Merry Widow,” “Susannah,” “Of Mice and Men “The Pearl Fishers,” and “La Boheme.” She has received national accolades for her performances.
A native of Rhode Island, Alexander was performing “Of Mice and Men” at the San Diego Opera ten years ago when she met and fell in love with Coronadan Jim Scanlon. They married and she has been living in Coronado “happily ever after” ever since, says the soprano.
Saturday night’s solo performance will include French, German and American art songs and operetta arias. “I’m very excited about the program selections,” says Alexander. “A few of the French songs are based on some very interesting literature set to music by George Bizet, who wrote the Opera Carmen.’
“Some of the Francis Poulenc songs are so deeply moving and sensuous.” The soprano will also be performing a beautiful nostalgic piece by Samuel Barber, with text by author James Agee.
Event Details: The recital will take place Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Crill Performance Hall (the Cooper Music Building) at Point Loma Nazarene University, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA 92106.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students, seniors and military, and seating is first come, first served. Parking is free on campus. Tickets are available at the door, or by calling (619) 849-2325. The recital hall seats 500 people.
For more information visit www.pointloma.edu/musicalendar. More information on Diane Alexander may be found at www.dianealexandersoprano.com.
— Story by Joe Ditler
Soprano Diane Alexander will perform a rare recital March 27 at Point Loma Nazarene University.
