The “Olson/De Cari Duo” — www.olsondecariduo.com
The Olson/De Cari Duo, a husband-and-wife ensemble, has performed to enthusiastic audiences in New York, New Jersey, California, Texas and Hawaii. The Duo has a unique and intimate approach to song performance that comes from soprano Gioia De Cari’s background as both a film/theater actor and a classical singer, and guitarist John Olson’s sensitive and intelligent approach to both new and traditional repertoire. NYlon Review described a recent performance as “superb . . . served up with style and elegance.” The Duo has been coached by Benjamin Verdery, David Leisner and Richard Sabellico. Their debut CD,Quiet Songs, features the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos, J. S. Bach, John Duarte, David Leisner, Fred Hand and George Gershwin., a husband-and-wife ensemble, has performed to enthusiastic audiences in New York, New Jersey, California, Texas and Hawaii. The Duo has a unique and intimate approach to song performance that comes from soprano Gioia De Cari’s background as both a film/theater actor and a classical singer, and guitarist John Olson’s sensitive and intelligent approach to both new and traditional repertoire. NYlon Review described a recent performance as “superb . . . served up with style and elegance.” The Duo has been coached by Benjamin Verdery, David Leisner and Richard Sabellico. Their debut CD, Quiet Songs, features the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos, J. S. Bach, John Duarte, David Leisner, Fred Hand and George Gershwin.
Guitarist John Olson has performed in solo and ensemble concerts throughout the United States. He performs frequently with his wife, soprano Gioia De Cari; together, they have recently released their first CD, Quiet Songs. John has studied guitar with David Leisner and Neil Anderson, and performed in masterclasses with Benjamin Verdery, David Tanenbaum, Raphaella Smits, William Kanengiser and others. John has also studied organ and baroque performance practice with Richard Erickson and Rodney Gehrke. He recently performed an unprecedented all-Bach recital in which he performed on both guitar and organ (but not at the same time!). He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and holds a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is currently the President of the New York City Classical Guitar Society.
Soprano Gioia De Cari has been singing since, as a shy little thing ten years old, she suddenly opened her mouth and a big, pretty singing voice came out that astonished her and everyone else. She took a brief sojourn into the sciences as a graduate student, but soon found herself irresistably drawn back into the arts. She has toured throughout the United States, concertizing with her husband, classical guitarist John Olson. She has studied voice with Irene Gubrud in New York, Edward Sayegh of the American Conservatory Theatre, and Robert Honeysucker of the Boston Conservatory. Also an accomplished actress, Gioia has studied acting with the celebrated teacher Wynn Handman. She has appeared in numerous theater productions, commercials, and independent films, including the multi-award-winning “Lower East Side Stories,” which screened at festivals worldwide, on PBS, and at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Gioia graduated with highest honors from the University of California at Berkeley and holds a master of science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
(Click here for their “Green Wave” statement – PDF)
Concerts
| February 2, 2008 | Alfa Art Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ |
| August 26, 2007 | Hamptons Guitar Festival’s Guitar Fest 07 |
| August 2007 | Ben Verdery masterclass concerts, Maui, Hawaii |
| May 4, 2007 | New York City CD release celebration concert at The Monkey |
| April 21, 2007 | The Guitar Salon, New York City |
| March 31, 2007 | West Coast CD release celebration concert at University Lutheran Chapel, Berkeley |
| August 2006 | Ben Verdery masterclass concerts, Maui, Hawaii |
| August 26, 2006 | Hamptons Guitar Festival |
| November 13, 2005 | All-Bach concert of music for guitar, guitar & voice, and organ, First United Lutheran Church, San Francisco |
| Summer 2004 | Democratic National Committee Fundraising Tour (New York City, New Jersey, Texas, California) |
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