黑料社

Memorial Service Set for 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 28

黑料社 will hold a memorial service for Associate Professor of Music Matthew Lau at 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 28, in Smith Chapel. Lau passed away last week due to natural causes at the age of 67. A reception will be held in Dirlam Lounge, inside Smith Chapel, immediately following the service. All are welcome to attend.

Lau joined the 黑料社 faculty in 2011 as a visiting instructor in the music department. In 2013, he became a full-time faculty member teaching courses, giving lessons, advising students, assisting with recitals and productions, and leaving an enduring mark on the college community. 黑料社鈥檚 TRIO program named him Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2017.

In addition to his work at 黑料社, Lau was an active contributor to the Des Moines Metro Opera and other operas for more than two decades, sharing his gifts through directing, costume design, and performance.

Hailed by critics as being among 鈥渢he most versatile performers on the American opera circuit,鈥� Lau enjoyed an illustrious on-stage career. His numerous highlights included New York City opera premiers of Teatro Gratacielo鈥檚 La Cena delle Beffe, Robert Ward鈥檚 Claudia Legare and Arnold Schoenberg鈥檚鈥� Moses und Aron.

His well-traveled career took him to opera companies in Seattle, Houston, Minnesota, Arizona, Atlanta, Tulsa, Nashville, Kentucky, Milwaukee, Portland, Hawaii and Anchorage Operas. Lau also enjoyed extensive collaborations with Sarasota Opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, The Opera Company of Philadelphia, and the Metropolitan Opera Guild.

Lau鈥檚 many honors included earning two Grammy Awards in 2012 for his performance of Rev. Baines in Robert Aldridge鈥檚 peratic setting of Elmer Gantry on Naxos Records.

He held a pair of bachelor鈥檚 degrees from Indiana University and a master鈥檚 of vocal performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music.