Two Replacements Announced for Michael Maniaci Concert on Friday, February 22, 2008

Juliana Gondek – an internationally acclaimed opera and oratorio star – and Clifton Massey – a countertenor – will replace Michael Maniaci in the Con Gioia Early Music Ensemble Concert on Friday, February 22nd.
The young New York male soprano is ill and will be unable to travel from New York to take part in the concert, being held at the Herbert Zipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School.
Con Gioia’s founder-director Preethi de Silva will join Gondek and Massey on stage, at the harpsichord, along with Denise Brise (viola de gambist), M. Anne Rardin  (baroque violinist), and Michael Miranda (Lutenist/baroque guitarist).
The night will include arias from “Giulio Cesare” and “Serse” by Handel along with Bach’s “Laudamus te” (Mass in B-minor) and Cantata BWV 86. In addition, several songs from the 17th century will be performed, including works from Barbara Strozzi’s “Lagrime mei,” Guilio Caccini’s “Le Nuove musiche”, and songs by Henry Purcell.
De Silva will also perform solo works for harpsichord by Johann Jakob Froberger, a 17th-century German composer.
Preethi de Silva is known internationally as a soloist and recording artist, and is an emerita Professor of Music of Scripps College, Claremont. De Silva performs for Con Gioia’s recording of concertos one, two and four harpsichords by Bach as a lead soloist and a director.
Dallas native Clifton Massey has received critical acclaim for his performances with ensembles, which include the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, American Bach Soloists, Schola Cantorum SF, Texas Baroque Ensemble, Dallas Bach Society, London Philharmonic, Michigan Bach Collegium, Theatre of Voices, Orpheus Chamber Singers, Concert Royal NYC and the New York Philharmonic with Skitch Henderson.
Massey had the wonderful opportunity to perform in some of the world’s finest concert halls – in over 200 concerts – during his time as a member of the Grammy Award-winning male ensemble, Chanticleer. As his love for ensemble work was fully cemented, he became a founding member of Clerestory,  new ensemble based in the Bay Area that’s comprised of Chanticleer alumni.
With his eclectic taste, he’s also performed as Skzyp in “Hedwig,” the Angry Inch, and the soundtrack of the film “ERAGON,” as well as collaborations with electronica composers.
Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University, and a Master’s in Voice from the Early Music Institute at Indiana University, Massey also teachers and is an often sought vocal coach, choral clinician and also directs choirs. Keeping busy, some upcoming projects include the Bach B minor Mass with Helmut Rilling and the San Francisco Concert Chorale, various Bay Area Concerts, New World Symphony. He will also be performing in Miami with Seraphic Fire under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.
The Con Gioia Early Music Ensemble Concert with Massey and de Silva takes place on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. at the Herbert Zipper Concert Hall, located at 200 South Grand Ave. in Los Angeles.
General admission tickets are $25; for seniors or members of SCEMS and EMA tickets are $20, “Friends of Con Gioia” tickets are $15 and students and children under 10 are $10.
For more information or to reserve tickets, visit www.congioia.org or call (909) 624 – 0638.