Following her Drama Queens tour across Asia, Joyce DiDonato returns to the U.S. for a series of performances. She and pianist David Zobel will present a sold-out recital at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica on May 16. Ms. DiDonato and Mr. Zobel previously played the venue in 2011 to spectacular reviews:

Joyce DiDonato won over local opera fans when she sang Rosina in Los Angeles Opera’s sparkling production of Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” in 2009. On Friday, the Kansas-born mezzo-soprano, named Gramophone magazine’s 2010 artist of the year, conquered again . . . The silver-toned mezzo made it all compelling and credible . . . with such solid technique, she should be able to continue for a long time and even reach new heights.

Chris Pasles – The Los Angeles Times

Joyce makes her debut in Minnesota on May 19, as a featured performer of the Schubert Club’s International Artist series. The event takes place at the Ordway in St. Paul in its newly completed Concert Hall, with a programme featuring music by Rossini, Mozart, Reynaldo Hahn, and Fernando Obradors. Ticket inventory for this special event is extremely limited.