Campus Connection

Music major Catherine Purdy stood on stage in front of her peers, singing V’adoro Pupille. Standing beside her was Franco Pomponi, a professional opera singer, who was helping work on her breathing techniques. “The breath is as important musically as the notes,” said Pomponi before leading Purdy in a breath support exercise. Pomponi came back to campus for a weekend in October to perform at “A Grand Night for Singing,” part of UWL Music Department’s Music Gala. The event is a fundraiser for music scholarships. It was Pomponi’s idea to connect with up-and-coming singers from La Crosse, like Purdy, giving them a rare opportunity for one on one advice from a professional in a ‘master class.’ The renowned singing actor attended UWL in the early 1980s. Pomponi completed studies at the Juilliard Opera Center in New York City. He was the first recipient of the DeRosa Prize, the Center’s top achievement award. Pomponi’s New York debut came as Escamillo in Carmen at the New York City Opera and he joined the Metropolitan Opera the following season and performed numerous roles at The Met. Since, he has played numerous lead roles in operas internationally and the U.S. The UWL Music Gala was sponsored by Richard Record, Dean Julia Johnson, College of Liberal Studies, State Bank Financial, E & C: Endlessly and Constantly, Connie Smith, UWL Foundation - Community Engagement Committee, Stifel Nicolaus, Sue La Crosse and the UWL Foundation.