UM to break ground on new music studios

Music lovers are invited to the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Patricia L. Frost Music Studios at the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.

The event will take place at noon on Feb. 8 at 1314 Miller Dr. in Coral Gables.

Also, the Frost School of Music Friends of Music will have a joint fundraiser, "Jazz Under the Stars," with the Kampong of the National Tropical Botanical Garden at 5:30 p.m. at the Kampong, 4013 S. Douglas Rd. in Coconut Grove.

The evening will start with hors d’oeuvres and wine, followed by the musical program at 6:45 p.m. Desserts and coffee will be serves following the program, featuring the Larry Lapin Jazz Vocal I Ensemble.

Tickets are $250 for reserved seating and $150 for general seating. A discounted rate of $1,800 for a reserved table for eight, is also available. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of Music Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Miami and preservation of the Kampong’s historic plant collection.

Credit card ticket sales are available on line at: jazzunderthestars.brownpapertickets.com.

Or, you may contact Margo Williams at 305-261-4696 or Margokwilliams@bellsouth.net, or Adele Neumann at 305-530-8039.

Recital at Pinecrest Gardens

You are invited to a recital that will feature two, talented Elaines — internationally renowned soprano Elaine Alvarez who will appear with Orchestra Miami Artistic Director Elaine Rinaldi, at 8 p.m. Friday at Pinecrest Gardens’ Banyan Bowl, 11000 SW 57th Ave.

Both artists were born, raised and educated in Miami. Alvarez made her break-out debut with the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2007 and since then, has been "stunning audiences at the world’s major opera houses with her artistry and lush lyric voice," Rinaldi said.

In addition, Rinaldi said, Alvarez has been mentored and trained by the top artists in the world. This includes soprano Renata Scotto and Marilyn Horne. Alverez was a finalist in the 2006 Placido Domingo Operalia Competition and made international headlines with her critically acclaimed 11th hour debut as Mimi in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of La Boheme.

According to a press release, conductor Rinaldi is fast making her mark among the ranks of rising young American conductors. As Founder and Artistic Director of Orchestra Miami, Rinaldi has brought a new level of professionalism and quality to the local arts scene. She also is in demand as a recitalist and vocal coach, and has had the privilege of working with many of the world’s most important opera singers, including Renato Capecchi, Nico Castel, Sherrill Milnes, Mignon Dunn, Renata Scotto, Juan Pons, Judith Blegen and Dodi Protero. Currently Rinaldi is the collaborative pianist for the "Prima Volta" debut recital series at the Austrian Cultural Institute in Manhattan.

Tickets to the recital are $25 and $30 each for reserved seating. Senior tickets are $20 each and students tickets are $5 each. All tickets may be purchased through BrownPaperTickets.com or by calling 800-838-3006 or through OrchestraMiami.org. For more information call 305-274-2103 or visit: www.OrchestraMiami.org.

Piano recital at UM

Internationally renowned pianist and composer Cyprien Katsaris, will be presented in a solo recital at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the University of Miami’s Gusman Concert Hall.