A real diva comes home

“Last time I was here was the beginning of my career. I hada performance in the Wharton Center and the building had just finished. I thinkit was somewhere around '89-90,” recalls soprano Janet Williams. Since then, the Michigan State University grad has become an international opera star.

Williams will perform once again at MSU at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Music Building Auditorium. Shewill be dedicating her recital as a thank-you to her mother, who recentlyturned 70.

“WhenI first started as a singer, my mother encouraged me to continue studying. Shemoved me away from, you know, singing backstage for a pop group. She said, 'Janet, why sing for a pop band when you can be an opera singer?' So, I’mreally glad that she encouraged me to stay and study.”

Shealso recalls the time her mother — together with a group of friends— planned a performance for her at the Detroit Orchestra Hall. “The seats weresold out and, with that job, I could go to France. So, this (concert)is like coming full circle to say thank you to my Detroit family and friends.”

Theshow is all the more special because she will showcase a variety of musicalstyles.

“I do baroque and(Irving) Berlin, because that’s where I started off. There will be a lot of German repertoire:Strauss, because he’s my favorite German composer; Mozart, another famous Germancomposer. I’ll do some Poulenc because I was also in France for a while. In thesecond half, I’ll focus a lot on American music, American spirituals.”

Whileon campus, Williams will also conduct a master class for MSU voicestudents. “I’m gonna have them sing first, observe, and then I’ll make mytips,” she says.

Her recent book, “Nail YourNext Audition, The Ultimate 30-Day Guide for Singers,” provides key advice foramateur singers. “It’s all about deciding what you want and work toward it.One: Know what’s in your way. Two: Work hard toward moving those obstacles. So,it's about planning, moving toward the plan and tweaking the plan to make it.”

Williams will also be awarded theDistinguished Alumni Award by the College of Music Alumni Board during her visit. “I’m very honored and happy, she says. It’s great to see that thepeople that helped you get started, helped you are recognizing yourachievements.”

Janet Williams, soprano, and Alan Nathan, piano
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8
Michigan State University Music Building Auditorium