Kathleen Shimeta mezzo-soprano, is a versatile interpreter of art songs, chamber music, oratorio and opera whose work has been enthusiastically received throughout the United States and Europe.
For several years Miss Shimeta devoted time to discovering and recording works from the rich repertoire of American composer Gena Branscombe (1881-1977). “Ah, Love I Shall Find Thee: Songs of Gena Branscombe,” now available on Albany Records, is a collaboration of the singer with accompanist Martin Hennessy. Kathleen’s art song recital, “Life, Love, Song! A Visit with Gena Branscombe,” showcases fifteen of Miss Branscombe’s elegantly lyric songs with a vivid first-person dialogue performed and written by Ms. Shimeta and co-authored by Evan Pappas. The concert gives tribute to a woman ahead of her time, a pioneer for today’s women composers.
Recent performances include the Library of Congress in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the MacDowell Colony and the women composers of that artistically famous group. Other performances include the University of Maryland, and Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA. In March 2008 Miss Shimeta performs “Life, Love, Song! A Visit with Gena Branscombe” at Washington, DC’s National Gallery of Art, New York’s Hofstra University and with the Cantata Singers of Elmira, NY. She will join the Acadia Choral Society in Spring 2008 as soloist in the Vivaldi Gloria.
Ms. Shimeta was selected to participate in renowned photographer Steffen Thalemann’s exhibit, “Outside the Box” based on the life of Albert Einstein. The exhibit focuses on portraits of known and unknown personalities: people who have left their mark on society with innovative thinking.
Kathleen, a strong advocate for contemporary American composers, made her New York City debut when she performed the premiere of Michael Linton’s Cantata #2 at Merkin Hall. She premiered Mr. Linton’s Canti Catulli in Seattle at a national convention of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and was guest soloist performing George Rochberg’s Songs in Praise of Krishna at a Rochberg festival.
A popular oratorio soloist, Kathleen’s many appearances with orchestra include performances in Verdi’s Requiem, Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody, Handel’s Messiah and Judas Maccabaeus, Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity, Bach’s St. John Passion, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, Mozart’s Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Purcell’s Ode on St. Cecilia’s Day, Honegger’s King David and numerous other works.
www.kathleenshimeta.com
