Christmas classics resound at operatic concert Dec. 19

Canadian soprano and actress Renée Salewski and her husband, baritone Anthony Cleverton, will perform a concert of Christmas classics and popular operatic pieces, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Place, 111 Larch St.
Accompanying the couple will be pianist Charlene Biggs, a professor at Cambrian College. Tickets are $25 at Jett Landry Music, both Old Rock locations, at the door or by phoning 694-9090.

Salewski, who is originally from Sudbury, has appeared in numerous roles in operas and theatre productions. In 2007, she made her feature film debut in Penny Woolcock’s Exodus.

“I appeared with Bernard Hill in that film,” Salewski said. “He played King Theodin in the second Lord of the Rings film, Two Towers.”

She has taught singing courses at Canterbury Christ Church University in England and assisted director George Roman on a number of projects, including the Hungarian musical, The Attic. She last performed in Sudbury in 2003 and still has family in the area.

Cleverton has performed regularly in a number of operas in England and has also appeared on French television and radio.

The couple, who were married this summer, have performed all over the world — individually and together — including Bulgaria, the Czech republic, South Korea, France, Germany, Austria, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Biggs is a professor in Cambrian College’s music department, teaching piano, music history and performance. She continues to perform.

During her 12-year residency in England, she performed extensively as a soloist and chamber player in the National Theatre, Royal Festival Hall and St. Martin-in-the-Fields, as well as venues in France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, the United States and Canada. She recently played two performances of Beethoven’s fourth piano concerto with the North Bay Symphony Orchestra.