Internationally renowned soprano Teresa Stratas, arts philanthropist Joan Chalmers to receive honorary degrees from York U.

TORONTO, June 9, 2000 -- Two leading figures in the arts community -- internationally renowned Canadian-born soprano Teresa Stratas and Joan Chalmers, champion of one of Canada's largest arts awards programs, will receive honorary degrees from York University Mon., June 12.

Teresa Stratas has graced New York's Metropolitan Opera stage, Broadway, and many of Europe's great Opera houses. She has starred in numerous leading roles, including: Mimi and Zerlina in Don Giovanni; Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro; and Marguerite in Faust. She also played Violetta in the 1983 Zeffirelli film of La Traviata whose soundtrack recording won a Grammy award the same year. In 1987, Stratas made her Broadway debut in the musical production Rags, earning her a Tony Award nomination and a Best Actress award by Drama Desk, the association of New York drama critics, writers and performers. She abandoned the opera stage in 1981 to travel to Calcutta to work with Mother Teresa in helping the poor and terminally ill. Stratas became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1972 and the Canadian Music Council's Artist of the Year in 1980.

Stratas will receive her honorary Doctor of Letters degree and address convocation Mon., June 12, 2:30 p.m.

Joan Chalmers has helped strengthen Canada's national character and inspired others to contribute to the arts. Her foundation, The M. Joan Chalmers Cultural Centre Foundation, has financially assisted hundreds of projects ranging from the Canadian Museum of Civilization to Toronto's Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre. Her foundation is also responsible for the annual Chalmers Awards -- established by her parents Floyd and Jean Chalmers in 1972 -- which recognize distinguished Canadians working in music, crafts, stage, youth theatre, documentary film, dance, and multi-media. Chalmers was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1997.

Chalmers will receive her honorary Doctor of Letters degree Mon., June 12, 6:30 p.m.

Both convocation ceremonies will be held on York's Keele Campus, in the convocation tent, located east of the Centre for Film and Theatre, 4700 Keele St.

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For more information, please contact:

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/064/00