Grammy Award soprano performs in Bethlehem

Grammy Award winning American coloratura soprano June Anderson performed on Saturday at a ceremony in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

Anderson participated for free and performed at The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music where residents celebrated the first purpose-built music conservatory facility in the Palestinian Territories, designed to create an enhanced learning environment for Bethlehem music students.

“Edward Said Conservatory reached high levels which connected it with foreigner friends who are attracted to the Palestinian issue and to the Palestinian nation. Those international artists know the high level of Edward Said Conservatory and they insisted to participate for free to open this new institute in Palestine, in Bethlehem,” said Jalil Elias, head of The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music

Anderson has performed in noted opera houses and has had an extensive recording career, dating from 1980s to present.

Coloratura soprano is a kind of operatic soprano that is distinguished by agile runs and leaps and showcases the singer's range and vocal agility.

In July 1989, Anderson participated in the London concert version of Candide with composer Leonard Bernstein conducting. This won Anderson a shared Grammy Award for best Classical Album.

“It was a great classical music performance. Music means culture and modernity she (June Anderson) was really great,” said Bethlehem resident Lilian Ja’ar.
The Conservatory has regular and amateur programs of study.

The Edward Said Conservatory was established in 1990, by Palestinian musicians and music teachers who were convinced that there was an urgent need to establish a music school, to fill the huge gap in music education within the Palestinian society.