The Annual Christmas Recital at Deerfield Presbyterian Church will be on Sunday, December 4th at 7:00PM. This popular event attracts a capacity crowd every year. Performing this year are soprano Sarah Shafer, and baritone David Tahere, both making their Deerfield debut! They will be accompanied by pianist Evelyn R. Larter, the church’s Director of Music, and their program will include many favorite Christmas arias, songs, and carols.
Twenty-three year old soprano Sarah Shafer from State College, PA, graduated from the opera program at the Curtis Institute of Music. Her engagements for the 2011-12 season include her professional operatic debut in the role of Barbarina and the cover role of Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Glyndebourne Festival in England, and soprano soloist in Mahler’s Fourth Symphony with Curtis On Tour in China and South Korea. An avid performer of both standard and modern repertoire in a recital setting, Sarah recently sang Barber’s Hermit Songs at the Library of Congress as part of the Curtis Barber Centenary Celebration. She spent the past two summers as a resident artist at the Marlboro Music Festival, where she worked with Richard Goode, Benita Valente, and Martin Isepp. She has also sung at Songfest in Malibu, CA where she was awarded the prestigious Craig Smith and Marc and Eva Stern Fellowships.

David Tahere, baritone, has performed a wide range of roles on the operatic and concert stages, including Leporello (Don Giovanni), Malatesta (Don Pasquale), and Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte). He has been a soloist with the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia and the Chattanooga Choral Arts Society. Originally from Davenport, Iowa, David received a Masters degree from Temple University and lives with his wife, Christa, in Philadelphia.

There is no admission charge; a freewill offering will be received. The recital will be followed by a “Meet the Artists” reception. For more information and directions, call (856) 455 1222