TGIF, Sep 11, 5:30pm

Enjoy an experience of music from opera, Broadway, art song and folksong as Pianist Robert Koenig accompanies duettists Doug Nagel (Baritone) and Elaine Wang Meyerhoffer (Mezzo-Soprano). Doors to the sanctuary open at 5:15pm and the concert begins at 5:30pm. The concert is free with donations accepted.

Performers

Robert Koenig (Piano)

Canadian Robert Koenig is one of today’s foremost collaborative pianists. He brings a wealth of experience and esteemed cache to concert venues throughout the world; his collaborations with high-profile artists and chamber ensembles across the globe solidifies his standing as an invaluable partner and resource to musicians near and far. He regularly performs at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Amsterdam’s Het Concertgebouw. He has collaborated with top-tier talent such as Joshua Bell, Augustin Hadelich, Sarah Chang, Hilary Hahn, Zuill Bailey, Sara Sant’Ambrogio, Miro String Quartet, and members of the Tokyo and Juilliard String Quartets. Of significance is his partnership with legendary late violinist Aaron Rosand, as well as his 30-year collaboration with renowned violinist Elmar Oliveira. Robert’s discography is vast and diverse, with lauded recordings on the Artek, Decca, Cedille, and Naxos labels. A particular highlight is a GRAMMY-nominated CD (Naxos) of William Primrose Transcriptions for Viola and Piano with violist Roberto Diaz. Robert is currently Professor and Head of Collaborative Piano at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he chaired the Music Department from 2019-22. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Santa Barbara Symphony and International Classical Concerts of the Desert, Robert is the CEO and Artistic Director of the newly created Bellosguardo International Piano Competition taking place in August 2028. Robert graciously collaborates with his friends, and was the pianist for Doug and Elaine on their Shanghai duet concert in May 2025. For more info: https://music.ucsb.edu/people/faculty/robert-koenig

Doug Nagel (Baritone)

Montana bass-baritone Doug Nagel has sung over 80 major operatic roles. He premiered the role of Theseus in Roumanis’ Phædra, broadcast on PBS. He created the role of de Santander in the Virginia Opera world premiere of Musgrave’s Simon Bolívar, later singing the role at London’s Royal Albert Hall, broadcast on the BBC. Doug is heard on Albany Records in Nosferatu in the title role of Orlock (Dracula). He was the Artistic Director of Rogue Opera (Medford, OR), Opera Idaho, and Rimrock Opera (Billings, MT), where he guided 30 productions including Aïda, Così, Traviata, Butterfly, Crucible, Barber, Merry Widow, Bohème, Figaro, Girl of the Golden West, Elixir, Tosca, Carmen, and Die Fledermaus. He was a juror for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and a member of the NEA Opera Grant Committee. He retired from Montana State University after 11 years’ teaching that included a stint in China, where he taught, and performed a solo recital. A member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, he conducted vocal workshops in technique and interpretation, and continues to have a full studio of students. Currently living in California, Doug and partner Steve Baker formed Coachella Valley Classical Voices (CVCV), producing free concerts of Opera and Broadway for the Desert community. Recent feats include a grant from the Cathedral City Arts Council to produce a 50-minute bilingual version (Spanish and English) of Hansel and Gretel, presented in Cathedral City and Palm Springs. At the Palm Canyon Theater (Palm Springs) Doug directed The Merry Widow in 2026, and will mount Die Fledermaus in May 2027. For more info: www.cvclassicalvoices.com

Elaine Wang Meyerhoffer (Mezzo-Soprano)

Elaine Wang Meyerhoffer, mezzo-soprano, began classical singing late in life and committed to its rigors by completing a Music/Vocal Performance degree from U. of Redlands (Class of 2017) – over three decades after her first college degree in English Literature. She loves the art song genre and typically programs recitals with literary and multicultural themes across various music genres. During the Christmas season, Elaine can be found in hoop skirt and Dickens costume, singing in quartets with the Desert Carolers throughout the Inland Empire. Elaine resides in Palm Springs, California, and summers in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She sings with the Coachella Valley Classical Voices (see Doug Nagel bio) and delights in opportunities to collaborate with friends, as in this particular duet concert that is retooled from their concert together in Shanghai in May 2025. In May 2027, Elaine will be singing Count Orlofsky in the Palm Canyon Theatre’s Die Fledermaus. This TGIF is her fourth, and she is deeply grateful to Linda Raney for the opportunity.