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Voice Recital with Isabel Leonard

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2026
7:00 P.M.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ASHEVILLE

 

The incomparable Isabel Leonard will take the stage alongside pianist John Arida for a recital featuring selections by Garcia-Lorca, Montsalvatge, Bernstein, traditional Spanish songs, and more. A classical icon, Isabel is the featured artist for the 2026 Artist Residency; she has performed iconic leading roles in every major opera house in the world, including The Met Opera, La Scala, and Wiener Staatsoper. See the full program below! 

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Click the button above to purchase tickets or give our box office a call at (828) 254-7046. Box office hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Program:

Valverde: Clavelitos

García-Lorca: Nana de Sevilla

García-Lorca: La Tarara

Montsalvatge: Cinco Canciones Negras

Intermission 

Copland/Dickinson: Why Do They Shut Me Out of Heaven?

Fain/Kahal: I’ll Be Seeing You, from Right This Way

Weill/Gershwin: My Ship, from Lady in the Dark

Kern/Fields: The Way You Look Tonight, from Swing Time
arr. Isabel Leonard and John Arida

Bernstein: I’m a Person Too, from I Hate Music: A Cycle of Five Kid Songs

Bernstein/Comden/Green: Lonely Town, from On the Town

Weill/Nash: I’m a Stranger Here Myself, from One Touch of Venus

David/Hoffman/Livingston: A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes, from Cinderella
arr. Isabel Leonard and John Arida

CONCERT SPONSOR

David & Pamela Lane
Isabel Leonard, Voice
Click here to read Isabel's bio
Isabel Leonard, Voice
Click here to read Isabel's bio

Three-time Grammy Award winning artist Isabel Leonard has established herself as one of the most in demand performers as a star on the world’s leading stages and screens. The 2024 – 2025 season sees Ms. Leonard’s much anticipated return to Opéra National de Paris as Rosina in Damiano Michieletto’s production of Il barbiere di Siviglia, conducted by Diego Matheuz, and her house debut with Gran Teatre del Liceu as Anita in a concert performance of Bernstein’s West Side Story, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. Ms. Leonard also returns to Houston Grand Opera to sing Angelina in Joan Font’s production of Cenerentola and for her directorial debut leading the HGO Family Day production of Cinderella, as well as her return to The Metropolitan Opera as Rosina in Bartlett Sher’s celebrated production of Il barbiere di Siviglia. Orchestral appearances include performances of Les Nuits d’été with Kevin John Edusei conducting the New York Philharmonic, and Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony conducted by music director Courtney Lewis. Ms. Leonard also continues her collaboration with guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas, performing their all-Spanish program at the Gallo Center for the Performing arts, and appears in recital with Matinee Musicale in Cincinnati, OH, Teatro de la Ciudad in Monterrey Mexico, Sala Sao Paulo, and Teatro Municipal de Río de Janeiro.

The 2023 – 2024 season saw Ms. Leonard’s return Bayersiche Staatsoper as Angelina in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s production of La Cenerentola, and a return to Los Angeles Opera to sing the roles of Donna Elvira in the Kasper Holton production of Don Giovanni as well as her signature role of Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia. She also returned to Houston Grand Opera for her role debut as Maria in Francesca Zamebllo’s production of The Sound of Music, and to Washington National Opera to reprise her appearance as the title character in Offenbach’s La Périchole. Concert work includes opening the Dallas Symphony’s season in a special gala performance with Emanuel Aix, an appearance hosting Palm Beach Opera’s season gala, and a live recording of Stravinsky’s Pulcinella with Gustavo Gimeno conducting the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Additional concert appearances included Ravel’s Schéhérazade with both the New World Symphony and longtime collaborator Stéphane Denève and with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, and an eleven-city concert tour with renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. Ms. Leonard also appeared in recital with Pablo Sáinz Villegas at the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, reprising their program of songs in Spanish.

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John Arida, Piano
Click to read John's bio
John Arida, Piano
Click to read John's bio

Pianist and coach John Arida (MM ’13, collaborative piano) has cultivated relationships with some of classical music’s most esteemed performers both on and off the stage include Julia Bullock, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Samantha Hankey, Christian Van Horn, Isabel Leonard, and Jack Swanson. He has appeared as a collaborative pianist across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico at notable venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Aspen Music Festival, and Tanglewood.

Beyond the concert stage, Arida has assisted many notable conductors including Harry Bicket, Daniela Candilari, John DeMain, Christian Reif, Speranza Scappucci, and Emmanuel Villaume. He has been a member of the music staff of the Santa Fe, Washington National, Central City, and Virginia operas; the Lakes Area Music and Castleton festivals, and Juilliard. A strong supporter of grassroots festivals, Arida was the music director for the inaugural seasons of the Emberlight Festival in Ironwood, Michigan, and the Creede Musical Arts Collective in Creede, Colorado.

Arida has recorded two albums with his frequent collaborator mezzo-soprano Megan Marino. Their first collaboration, The Traveled Road (Ravello Records), featured the music of Evan Mack. Their second, It’s You I Like (Lexicon Classics), contains songs that celebrate childhood.

Arida has held fellowships at the Aspen Music Festival and Music Academy of the West. In addition to his studies at Juilliard, he earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from SUNY Purchase.

Masterworks 5: Nightingale
Featuring Isabel Leonard -- Click to learn more
Masterworks 5: Nightingale
Featuring Isabel Leonard -- Click to learn more

First Baptist Church of Asheville
March 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. + 8:00 p.m.

Internationally acclaimed vocalist Isabel Leonard — winner of multiple GRAMMY Awards — brings her versatile artistry and raw star power to this flagship event of the 2026 Artist Residency. She will showcase the many glittering facets of the human voice, bringing to life a curated selection of her signature roles and iconic works for voice: Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, highlights from West Side Story, plus works by Georges Bizet, Manuel de Falla, Gabriela Lena Frank, and more. 

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