Bill Ranter, Nita Whitaker and Ralph Cato Guest Artists - Saturday, May 31, 2008
Bill Ranter -- one of America's most heard, most versatile voices -- is chief, cook, and shipping clerk at his Hollywood, California voice-over studio servicing local and long distance clients via ISDN, FTP and MP3. You can reach him more easily than you can get a hold of your banker, broker, or bail bondsman. Mr. Ratner will be making his second appearance with Chorale Bel Canto. He had previously appeared with the Chorale on October 23rd, 2005 as the narrator in Aruthur Honegger's King David. More on Bill Ratner
Groomed in gospel, trained in opera, honed in pop, Nita Witaker's voice is a remarkable instrument that's difficult to define. But when you hear her power chops and sweet high tones, you know you are in the presence of greatness. Pulling all these elements together, Nita has found a beautiful blend of music that soothes the soul and shares stories from life on this her latest CD LifeStories showcasing her songwriting and producing abilities as well. More on Nita Whitaker
Baritone Ralph Cato has performed around the world, singing opera, oratorio, and other vocal masterworks to critical acclaim.
His operatic repertoire spans a wide range of lyric and dramatic baritone roles from Amonasro, “Aida”; Scarpia, "Tosca"; Marcello, “La Bohème”; to Tonio, “I Pagliacci” ; Figaro, “The Barber of Seville”; and Sportin’ Life and Honey Man in “Porgy and Bess.” His featured oratorio performances include Orff’s “Carmina Burana,”Walton’s “Belshazzar’s Feast,” and Beethoven’s "Ninth Symphony", as well as works by Bach, Fauré, Mozart, Bruckner, Vaughan Williams and others. More on Ralph Cato
