- Harriman-Jewell Series
The Harriman-Jewell Series (originally known as the "William Jewell College Fine Arts Program"), is a performing arts presentation organization founded in 1965, and based in
Kansas City, Missouri .Originally known as the "William Jewell College Fine Arts Program", it hosted
Luciano Pavarotti 's international recital debut on February 1, 1973. Held in William Jewell College’s John Gano Memorial Chapel, Pavarotti was perspiring due to nerves and a lingering cold. The tenor clutched a handkerchief throughout the debut, which became a signature part of his solo performances. Over the years, Pavarotti sang five recitals for the organization.The Series has since hosted several leading tenors, including
Francisco Araiza (1982),Ben Heppner (1997),Marcelo Álvarez (2001),Juan Diego Flórez (2002), Daniil Shtoda (2002),Salvatore Licitra (2005), and Clifton Forbis (2006).New York City Ballet ’sPatricia McBride andEdward Villella danced in the Series’ first performance in December 1965, and violinistItzhak Perlman played a recital in 1971.The organisation hosts a variety of free discovery concerts, and events that allow interaction with musicians and dancers.
The organisation also makes the performing arts an integral part of a the college curriculum for
William Jewell College students. Among the oldest colleges west of the Mississippi River, William Jewell was namedTIME Magazine 's "Liberal Arts College of the Year" for 2001-2002.“Cezanne called the Louvre ‘the book in which we learn to read,’” said
Terry Teachout , a Jewell alumnus and drama critic for theWall Street Journal . “The Harriman program was the book in which I learned to see, hear, and love the performing arts. It gave me a golden yardstick of taste–-one I still use to this day.”“No one will ever be able to calculate how the presence of some of the world’s most superb artists before area innocents influenced the development of resident music, dance and theater companies,” the
Kansas City Star wrote of the Harriman-Jewell Series. “What Harriman has done...has multiplied in countless, wonderful ways.”External links
* [http://www.harriman-jewell.org Official web site]
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