The following will be performing on Sunday, March 17 at a private musicale only for AMC members and invited guests.
Mike Pope
Bass & Piano
Mike Pope is best described as a rare triple threat in the music world. An equally capable acoustic and 6-string electric bass guitar player, he is a world-renowned solo artist, sideman, composer, and faculty member at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Piano playing has been a constant throughout Mike’s life.
Raised in Bowling Green, OH, Mike left at age 18 to attend the University of North Texas, ultimately migrating to New York City at the recommendation of Michael Brecker, whom he met during a clinic at the school. Pope hit the ground running and began playing and recording with Michael and Randy Brecker, Chuck Loeb, Mike Stern, Joe Locke, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Al DiMeola. He released two solo albums, Walk Your Dogma and Lay of the Land, while amassing additional credits with Chick Corea, Bill Bruford, David Sanborn, Geoffrey Keezer, and Manhattan Transfer.
In addition to his prolific career as a bassist, Mike has contributed to multiple projects as a pianist, most recently sharing his skills with fellow Berklee professor John Patitucci in team taught lessons and impromptu performances. Mike’s piano work can be heard on The Dave Pope Trio release, You and the Night and the Music, and most recently on bassist Jon Steele’s EP release, Jon Steele Quintet, available on most streaming platforms.
Most recently, Mike has toured with former Chick Corea Elektric Band bandmate Frank Gambale. He continues to tour in support of his critically-hailed third solo release, Cold Truth, Warm Heart, and is working toward the impending release of his next CD, The Parts You Keep.
Elizabeth Pope
Soprano
At the young age of 22 years old, soprano Elizabeth Pope already possesses a clarity of tone, accuracy, and ease of vocal production which has been praised as “evoking the singers of the golden age.” Ms. Pope was an understudy in the world premiere of Kate Soper’s new opera, The Hunt, which was critically acclaimed by the New York Times. The character, Rue, is a unique multidisciplinary role, requiring a performer who can comfortably play violin while singing.
More recently, her outstanding performance of Waterbird by Richard Hundley inspired the unprecedented creation of an entirely new prize category in the Civic Morning Musicals competition in New York. In her portrayal of Nerone in Monteverdi ́s L’incoronazione di Poppea, her acting was described as “compelling and complete,” and her singing, “a display of vocal fireworks.” She was invited three times to sing solo recitals in Mexico at the Haus der Musik, all of which completely sold out.
Elizabeth has had the privilege to work with contemporary musicians Lucy Shelton and Susan Botti, and composer Dr. Mark Stambaugh, in order to premiere and bring to life multiple new works. She is known not only for her technically adept performances of the great operatic arias, but also for her musically sensitive and exquisite interpretations of song and chamber music. Ms. Pope is continuing a legacy of three generations of professional musicians.
She recently obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance at the Manhattan School of Music, under the tutelage of the renowned soprano Catherine Malfitano, who taught her how to give an unforgettable performance. Elizabeth is now a pupil of the celebrated Bulgarian bass, Valentin Peytchinov, a gifted pedagogue and mentor to whom she owes her deepest gratitude.
Saul Ibarra
Piano
Saúl Ibarra is the Artistic Director of Festival de Música Axixic Haus der Musik. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, he has already established himself as a diverse ambassador for music. In addition to performing the beloved works of great western composers, he is committed to presenting the works of Latin American composers as well as promoting contemporary music of emerging composers. Throughout his career, his main teachers have been Cecilia Garduño Ochoa, Vlada Vassilieva, Solomon Mikowsky and Lydia Brown.
Saúl has been awarded prizes in more than twenty important piano competitions, nationally and internationally.
In June 2017, he was the first ever Mexican pianist to be selected to compete in the tenth edition of the prestigious Tchaikovsky International Competition for Young Musicians. That same year he made his debut with the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra performing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. In May of 2019, he debuted in the Main Hall of the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City performing Liszt’s Concerto No.1 with the National Symphony Orchestra. He has performed in esteemed venues such as Teatro Degollado (Guadalajara), Sala Roberto Cantoral (Mexico city), Teatro Calderón (Zacatecas), Carnegie Hall (New York), Alice Tully Hall (New York), Rudolphinum (Prague) and Muziekcentrum Enschede (The Netherlands), among others. Mr. Ibarra obtained his Bachleor of Music degree at the Manhattan School of Music. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Music in Collaborative Piano at the Juilliard School as a proud receipient of the Kovner Fellowship.
