Eastern Monroe Public Library’s popular Bookhouse concert series opens its’ 2008 season with a concert by Concert Baritone Phillip Mentor on Friday, April 25^th at 7:30 PM.  Mr. Mentor, accompanied by Christopher Centrella on piano, will perform a concert entitled “A Tribute to Paul Robeson: The English Years”.  The concert highlights material performed by Mr. Robeson (1898-1976), the renowned Basso cantante concert singer, actor, writer, and activist.

Born in Belmont, Port of Spain in the beautiful island of Trinidad and Tobago, Phillip Mentor is a trained opera singer whose extensive repertoire includes German, French, Italian, and English material. In addition to his performances in productions including The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville, Porgy and Bess, and The Magic Flute, Phillip has performed as a concert vocalist and baritone with numerous orchestras including the New Philharmonic of New Jersey, Montclair Chamber Orchestra, and the Morristown (NJ) Chamber Players. He has performed throughout most of the United States and the Caribbean. Phillip studied at Montclair State University as well as with teachers and coaches from the New York City Opera (including Edward Pierson, James Wilson and Jerry Brown), the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic and the American Symphony. Among his awards are first place in the North American Guild Voice Competition, African-American Singer of the Year in 1986, first runner-up in the Metropolitan Opera Regional and Outstanding Young Vocalist of New Jersey.

Doors will open at 7PM. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.  Refreshments will be available for a small charge.  All BookHouse programs take place in the Edinger Community Room of the Hughes Building, Eastern Monroe Public Library, located at 1002 North 9^th Street, Stroudsburg.  For more information, please call 570-421-0800 x30.