The Sliman Theater in New Iberia will play host to two artists whose talents have been heard from New York to Israel.

As part of the sponsorship program between The Piatigorsky Foundation and Iberia Parish Library, Raquela Sheeran and David Shimoni will be performing famous pieces of classical music and opera at 7 p.m.  Tuesday.

“This concert will give citizens a chance to experience classical music with their families, all free of charge,” said Gail Garcia, community relations director for the Iberia Parish Library. “It will be a great concert for all age groups.”

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Both artists will be singing and performing pieces by famous classical and operatic composers, such as Puccini, Gershwin and Bizet. The Piatigorsky Foundation is a non-profit organization that brings musicians to areas that otherwise may not hear classical pieces live.

“We are grateful that the Piatigorsky Foundation has been generous enough to bring this amazing program to our area,” Garcia said. “They are excellent musicians bringing education about classical music to the public.The Piatigorsky Foundation contacted the library when they were co-ordinating a tour several years ago.”

Raquela Sheeran is a soprano and has played in operas world-wide, including at the New Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv and Glyndebourne Opera Festival in England. Trained at the Esher Boyer College of Music at Temple University and the Manhattan School of music, Sheeran has studied opera and music a majority of her life.

David Shimoni is an acclaimed pianist who has played with the Dame Myra Hess Series in Chicago and Southeastern Festival of Song in Dallas. He collaborates with many in his field, such as the Jupiter String Quartet and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra as well as with opera singers. He is currently a doctoral student in piano at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

“On our first tour, I was impressed by many things in Louisiana,” Shimoni said. “I loved the way people address each other as ‘Mr. David’ or ‘Miss Raquela.’  Our audiences all had a special combination of vivacity and graciousness that is wonderful to feel.”

Both performers are graduates of The Julliard School.

The concert will be the first of many held in conjunction with the library and Piatigorsky Foundation. Garcia said they appreciate the generosity and interest of the community and look forward to the arrival of the performers. “Being able to meet the artists is incredibly interesting,” she said. “We would  like to thank the city of New Iberia for hosting this concert at the Sliman Theater and the Friends of the Library for their support. We would like everyone to come out and experience what the library has to offer.”

For more information, call 364-7024. New Iberia is the final stop on the tour.