While growing up, mezzo-soprano Sarah Mesko, 33, thought of the age as the "Jesus birthday." Although she may not be the next Messiah, this University of Arkansas alumna's star is certainly on the rise in the music world.
Mesko, who made her Metropolitan Opera debut last year appearing in Mozart's The Magic Flute, returns to Arkansas this week to open the Faulkner Performing Arts Center's 2018-19 season.
Her recital, titled "Through The Years," is an operatic journey through composers and styles from varying eras. Mesko built the show with pianist Lyndon Meyer specifically for the UA.
"When I was crafting this program, I was about to turn 33 and I was kind of obsessed with it," she says. "It's kind of the idea that... if you haven't saved the world by the time you're 33, then what are you doing."
Listen to the full interview by clicking the streaming link above.
Mesko performs at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center on the UA campus this Friday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 p.m.