Renowned Soprano Returns to Campus

Soprano Marjorie Leake makes a return to New Orleans and the Tulane University uptown campus to perform for the Clara del Marmol and Annabelle Bernard Vocal Series at 7:30 p.m. today (March 25) in the Dixon Annex Recital Hall.

Alumna and New Orleans native Marjorie Leake returns to Tulane for a vocal concert. (Photo from the Newcomb Department of Music)

Accompanied by pianist Aigerim Magavina, Leake will present songs and arias of Beethoven, Korngold, Weill and Hundley.

The free concert, made possible by donations to the Clara del Marmol and Annabelle Bernard Fund, recognizes the work and legacy of Clara Del Marmol (1893–1994), a distinguished faculty member of Newcomb College, and Annabelle Bernard-Mercker (1940–2005), an internationally renowned African American soprano who was a native New Orleanian. The concert is hosted by the Newcomb Department of Music.

Leake is a native of New Orleans and received her bachelor's degree in music from Newcomb College. Last June, the New York City-based soprano sang the title role in Samuel Barber's Vanessa with One World Symphony in New York. Also with One World Symphony, she performed the role of Chrysothemis in the January 2009 production of Richard Strauss' Elektra, celebrating the 100th anniversary of that opera's premiere.

She has performed with numerous opera companies, including the Boston Lyric Opera, the New Orleans Opera Association, Ash Lawn-Highland Summer Festival, Cincinnati Opera and the Zürich Opera. While a member of the International Opera Center in Zürich, Leake appeared in concert throughout Switzerland and Germany. She also performed as a soloist with the Zürich Bach Choir.

With the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra of New Orleans, Leake was featured as soprano soloist in Mozart's Great Mass in C Minor and Bernstein's Songfest. She also has been featured with Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre in Kiss Me Kate, A Little Night Music and The Mikado.

Magavina has been staff accompanist for the Newcomb Department of Music since 2004.