Curtis on Tour: Eric Owens and Singers from Curtis Opera Theatre (Photo Roundup)

Sarah Fleiss, Lucy Baker, and Joseph Tancredi share highlights from their recent U.S. tour

Curtis On Tour recently presented renowned bass-baritone Eric Owens (Opera ’95) alongside soprano Sarah Fleiss, mezzo-soprano Lucy Baker, and tenor Joseph Tancredi (Opera ’22)three emerging professional artists from the Curtis Opera Theatre—for nine performances throughout the U.S. from October 13 through November 20, 2022. Joined by pianists Miloš Repický (Hirsig Family Chair in Vocal Studies, Principal Opera Coach) and Ting Ting Wong, these talented young singers shared the stage with their mentor, Eric Owens, Curtis’s Director of Vocal Studies and Curtis Opera Theatre, for a delightful program featuring Brahms’s lilting and pensive Neue Liebeslieder Waltzer for four voices and four-hand piano. The set also included performances of works by Brahms, Schubert, Lerner & Loewe, and gems of the operatic repertoire.

Home from the month-long tour, the trio of singers shared their thoughts and favorite memories from their time on the road:

Lucy Baker

“Having the opportunity to tour the East Coast with my mentors and colleagues has been an unforgettable experience. While we have a lot to learn in a coaching setting, singing is only a fraction of what we do in this career. I’ve learned so much about what life on the road is like and have gotten to talk with Eric about his experiences as a busy working musician. I’ve also really enjoyed getting to dig deeper into this music. We have so many performances of the same program which has allowed us to get super comfortable and play around with different interpretations every time. My favorite venue we’ve gotten to perform in is probably the Trust Performing Arts Center in Lancaster, PA. This hall was an old bank and the walls were all stone so it was very live. Eric’s dressing room was even an old vault with the original door! The people we’ve met at every stop have been extremely kind and inviting and I’m looking forward to the rest of our performances!”

Sarah Fleiss

“Curtis on Tour has been such an incredibly rich experience! I am so grateful to sing with Eric; he is not only a wonderful mentor for me, but a a great colleague. I continue to learn from his professionalism and wealth of knowledge! My other collaborators are fabulous as well, and it has been very enlightening to feel how our pieces change and evolve with each environment we bring them to. I particularly enjoyed our first venue in Hodgson Hall at the University of Georgia; the acoustics were fabulous! In all, I have felt both nurtured and challenged as an artist—that is what Curtis is all about!”

Joseph Tancredi

“It has been such a special and rewarding experience getting to perform on tour with Eric Owens. His wisdom, talent and artistry are all so valuable to witness, and I feel that I’ve learned so much getting to sing alongside him. We’ve gotten to perform in so many beautiful venues throughout this tour but getting to share this program with friends and family members in New York has definitely been a major highlight of the tour for me.  Eric, Sarah, Lucy, Ting Ting and Miloš are all so incredibly talented and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to make such beautiful music with them.”


Don’t miss the final performance of Curtis on Tour: Eric Owens and Singers from Curtis Opera Theatre! Join us on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at the Perelman Theater in the Kimmel Center, presented by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. For further information and tickets, click HERE.

Check out the tour highlights below!

Want More Curtis News?

Sign up today to receive Curtis Institute of Music's newsletter. We'll provide updates on performances, upcoming events, and so much more! Don't miss a moment of all that's happening at Curtis.

Celebrating Women's History: Q&A with Constance Fee (Opera '77)

The internationally renowned opera singer, voice professor, and Curtis alumna has garnered acclaim for her performances of over fifty soprano and mezzo-soprano roles.

Curtis Institute of Music Announces 2024–25 Season: Great to Groundbreaking Celebrating the School’s Historic 100th Anniversary

Curtis’ centennial season features world-class conductors, newly commissioned works, and stunning classics by alumni, and more.

Celebrating Women's History: Q&A with Mimi Stillman (Flute '99)

The acclaimed flutist, teacher, recording artist, and founding Artistic Director of Dolce Suono Ensemble attended Curtis from 1994–99.