Opera tenor to perform in concert at church

Eduardo Villa

FREEHOLD - Eduardo Villa, a tenor who frequently performs at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, will hold another benefit concert at First Baptist Church, 81 W. Main St., at 7 p.m. May 20.

Villa, of Manalapan, said he will perform sacred arias written by Bach, Dvorak, Haydn and Mozart. He also will sing pieces written and composed by his grandfather, Felix Gomez.

"There are not too many oratorio or sacred vocal concerts given," Villa said. "This music is very endearing to me and it shows a different expression of my voice."

Villa added that the music is "a logical and appropriate selection" for a church setting. "Plus, it will be different from my usual opera repertoire."

More than 250 people attended Villa's Christmas concert at the church in December. Proceeds from this concert will help the church upgrade its sound system.

Soprano Jennifer Garr of Jackson will join Villa for three duets, including a Dvorak oratorio and "Sound the Trumpet" by Purcell. She also will sing several oratorio arias as a soloist.

"I'm so excited," Garr said of the upcoming concert. "It's such an honor to be invited to sing with him. He's such a talent and such a wonderful person."

Garr, a music instructor at the Westminster Conservatory in Princeton, is the daughter of the church's minister of music, Randy W. Corder of Freehold Township.

Villa said he first heard Garr sing at First Baptist three years ago.

"She has a warm, sweet and expressive voice, and I wanted her to sing the duets with me to enhance the concert," he said.

Villa said the concert also coincides with Corder's retirement at the end of the school year. Corder, a music teacher at the Clark Mills School in Manalapan, taught Villa's two daughters when they attended the school. Corder, once again, will play piano and organ during the hourlong event.

"I have always loved working with my dad," Garr said. "He has been accompanying me since I started doing solos in church at 11 or 12 years old. I'm always amazed hearing him play the organ. He has tremendous talent, and I learn from him all the time. I feel so privileged that we get to make music together."

Villa, a Los Angeles native whose family hails from Mexico, has made notable appearances on stages throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia during his career. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in January 2002 in the title role of "Don Carlos," and has since returned for further acclaim in such portrayals of Radames in "Aida," Lt. Pinkerton in "Madame Butterfly"and Don Jose in "Carmen."

He participated in "Cavalleria Rusticana" at the Met this winter, and is expected to embark on a European tour of opera houses this summer.

The Rev. William L. Frederickson, pastor of the church, said the sanctuary, which is adorned with brilliant stained-glass windows, will make the perfect backdrop for this community event. The high-Victorian Gothic, wood-frame church was dedicated in 1890.

"It's a great honor to have Eduardo Villa sing in our church again," Frederickson said. "The last concert was truly a remarkable event. Eduardo's powerful voice resonated through the sanctuary and made us feel as if we were attending a very personal concert. I.m sure this concert will be just as wonderful."

Tickets are $10 each and are available by calling the church office between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at (732) 462-1105. Refreshments will be served during intermission.