The University of Maine at Presque Isle presents classically trained baritone Phillip Mentor on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center for a concert titled “A Spiritual Odyssey.”
Mentor’s performance will take an introspective look at African-American culture by offering up several spirituals, including Deep River; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot; Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen; The Gospel Train; and Go Down, Moses.
Born on the island of Trinidad and Tobago, Mentor is a classically trained opera singer who has performed in many musical plays and theaters as well as with symphony orchestras. His performances in such well known productions as The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville, Porgy and Bess and The Magic Flute have earned him rave reviews.
Mentor studied at Montclair State University as well as with teachers and coaches from the New York City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic. His voice training is in the classic mode and his extensive repertoire includes German, French, and Italian, as well as Gospel and Negro spirituals. As a concert vocalist and baritone, Mentor has performed extensively throughout the United States and the Caribbean.
He is the recipient of several vocalist awards, including first place in the North American Guild Voice Competition, African-American Singer of the Year in 1986, and first runner-up in the Metropolitan Opera Regional Outstanding Young Vocalist of New Jersey. Mentor also has conducted several master classes and workshops at universities across the country.
This concert is presented by the UMPI Cultural Affairs Office in collaboration with the Office of Student Activities. Tickets are $10 for adults, $2 for students and free for UMPI, NMCC and SAGE students with valid ID. For more information about this event, contact Carol Ayoob, UMPI Director of Cultural Affairs, at 768-9462 or email carol.ayoob@maine.edu.