struck a perfect chord that harmonizes his dual passions of singing
and science, bringing ovationsfrom opera lovers and physics students
alike.
Boye's upcoming performance as Baron Douphol in Opera Carolina's
February production of La Traviata marks his 20-year anniversary and
27th mainstage role with the largest professional opera company in the
Carolinas. The three performances at the Belk Theater, North Carolina
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center are: Thurs., Feb. 3 - 7:30 p.m. /
Sat., Feb. 5 – 8 p.m. / Sun., Feb. 6 - 2 p.m. For tickets, call
704.372.1000 or purchaseonline at www.operacarolina.org. Single ticket
prices begin at $16.
The singing scientist, with a powerfully rich baritone voice, has also
contributed greatly to Opera Carolina's educational arts programming,
logging some 10,000-plus miles taking his "The Science of Singing"
curriculum and other programs to schools across the Carolinas. "Dr.
Boye embodies a core facet of the Opera Carolina mission, which seeks
to ensure that young people across our region learn about and have
access to opera and the talented artists who are in our midst," said
James Meena, general director and principal conductor of Opera
Carolina. "We're fortunate that Dr. Boye is such a devoted member of
our Opera family."
While Boye had no formal musical training as a child other than piano
lessons, his parents inspired an appreciation for music and the arts
along with a thirst for scientific endeavors. In college, he got
swept up in the performing arts as a choir member at Emory and Henry,
and was permanently hooked following three summers at the esteemed
Brevard Music Center. Music and singing continued to shape his life
even as he pursued his Ph.D. in physics at the University of Georgia.
Since then, he's worked tenaciously to weave together life as a
respected professor, ardent performing artist and arts education
proponent. At Davidson since 1989, his teaching career has been
punctuated by nationally recognized scientific accomplishments along
with praise for his popular musical technology class that teaches
music appreciation from a scientific perspective to non-science
majors. His performances in treasured and contemporary operas from La
Boheme to Cold Sassy Tree earn kudos from opera- goers, while he
remains very much in demand for regional concerts, fundraisers and
other artistic productions.
Boye acknowledges that his combo music and science trek makes for a
rigorous schedule but also notes that the two disciplines are quite
complementary. "From what we know now about the brain, artists and
scientists aren't really that different. We both strive toward the
goal of discovering new uniformities or lawful regularities," he said
in paraphrase of Hermann von Helmholtz (1878). "Each pursuit demands
a practiced discipline and concentrated focus to achieve success."
Boye credits his family and Davidson College for supporting his
complex career as scientist and artist. "As a liberal arts school,
Davidson values my artistic pursuits, and quite serendipitously, the
music building is situated next door to the physics building! Most
importantly, my wife Ann, and my children Ellie and Charlie, are my
built-in fan base, encouraging me and attending as many performances
as possible."
So, whether the professor takes a bow from the stage or a lectern, his
audiencewill have experienced an act of enduring passion.
About La Traviata and Opera Carolina
La Traviata, the timeless tale of a Parisian courtesan who is redeemed
by true love and sacrifice, is one of the world's most beloved
operas. Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece remains a classic, retold and
popularized through time – adapted for the silver screen in the
classic Camille starring Greta Garbo, plus contemporary films like
Pretty Woman and Moulin Rouge.
Founded in 1948 as the Charlotte Opera Association by a small group of
volunteers, today Opera Carolina is the largest professional opera
company in the Carolinas with an operating budget of over $2.5 million
for the fiscal year 2011. The mission of Opera Carolina is to inspire
the region's diverse community through the presentation of Opera,
Operetta, and Education & Outreach programs that elevate the quality
of life in the Carolinas. Opera Carolina is a community resource with
a commitment to artistic excellence and community service.
Opera Carolina is supported by individuals and corporations throughout
the region. Opera Carolina is also supported, in part, with operating
support from the Arts & Science Council. Additional support is
provided by the North CarolinaArts Council, a division of the
Department of Cultural Resources, and the National Endowment for the
Arts. Opera Carolina is a member of OPERA America.
About Davidson College
Davidson is a highly selective independent liberal arts college for
1,900 students located 20 minutes north of Charlotte in Davidson, N.C.
Since its establishment in 1837 by Presbyterians, the college has
graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently regarded as one of
the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Through The Davidson
Trust, the college became the first liberal arts institution in the
nation to replace loans with grants in all financial aid packages,
giving all students the opportunity to graduatedebt-free. Davidson
competes in NCAA athletics at the Division I level, and a longstanding
Honor Code is central to student life at the college.
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