Soprano Jennessa Runia will open a busy weekend of music performances with her senior vocal recital in Bjorling Recital Hall on Friday, March 20. Accompanied by pianist Emily Rudquist, Jennessa will begin her recital at 7:30 p.m. The recital is free and open to the public.
A senior biology major with minors in sociology/anthropology and peace studies, Jennessa is a 2011 graduate of Montevideo High School and the daughter of Julie and Kevin Rhode and Greg Runia. She is a member of the Choir of Christ Chapel, Brandon Dean, conductor, and studies voice with Rebecca McConnaughey.
Jennessa will open her recital with Lungi by Francesco Paolo Tosti, Placido zeffiretto by Vincenzo Righini and Claude Debussy’s Beau soir. With mezzo soprano Lily Benge Briggs, she will continue with the traditional Scottish Loch Lomond, followed by a medley from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. She will conclude her recital with pianist Emily Rudquist with a set of contemporary works including Children Will Listen (Into the Woods) by Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz and Ben Moore’s On Music.
Jennessa Runia’s senior recital is free and open to the public. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Jussi Bjorling Recital Hall on Friday, March 20. A reception for the musicians will follow the recital in the recital hall lobby.