Soprano Cynthia Lawrence Performs for UNICEF Benefit in Rome
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2015) — Cynthia Lawrence, a University of Kentucky endowed chair and professor of voice, was invited to perform this summer in Rome in aid of UNICEF in the "Caracalla for UNICEF" benefit held July 19 at the Terme di Caracalla of the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma.
The "Caracalla for UNICEF" was directed by David Giménez and featured special guest artists along with Lawrence, including guest of honor tenor José Carreras, soprano Carly Paoli, flutist Andrea Griminelli and tenor Alessandro Safina accompanied by Roma United Orchestra. The last-minute concert was made possible by YTL (Yeoh Tiong Lay Corporation) and its CEO, Malaysian philanthropist Francis Yeoh, who has an interest in opera stemming from his friendship with Luciano Pavarotti. In the past, Yeoh has raised funds for the United Kingdom, Asia and Rome.
The United Nations Children's Fund, or UNICEF, is a program headquartered in New York City that provides long-term humanitarian assistance to mothers and children in developing countries. Created by the United Nations General Assembly, UNICEF's mission is to focus on the most disadvantaged children and assist them through a life-cycle approach.
Lawrence, a celebrated opera vocalist, arrived at UK School of Music in 2009. She has performed on five continents and has been a regular guest for opera companies worldwide as well as the star of several productions in such roles as Roxanne in "Cyrano de Bergerac," Micaela in "Carmen" and Mimi in "La Boheme".
The UK School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts has garnered a national reputation for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, composition, and theory and music history.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu