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Photos of scenic designer Erhard Rom’s set model. Costume Designer Mattie Ullrich presents sketches to the cast. Little time to write today – dozens of new artists and staff, and lots to manage. Cosi cast is in the house, Steve Blier and his cast are making some seriously amazing music in preparation for Saturday’s Road

“I Can Cook, Too” Jamie Barton, mezzo-soprano “Roses and Lilies” Dominic Armstrong, tenor “Somewhere over the Rainbow” Ava Pine, soprano “Black Max” Daniel Billings, baritone Jeremy Frank at the mighty Yamaha Part of the peanut gallery (photo by Beth Krynicki) A Little Lunch Music is a weekly series of mini-concerts for the employees of the

I’ve historically been a bit frustrated about our inability to tap into the wealth of knowledge, ideas, questions, and enthusiasm that lies within all of the artists and staff who spend a summer at Wild Times Opera Camp. This summer we’ve decided to be proactive, and we’ve established a weekly discussion forum – a series

From: Conductor ThorTo: Ulisse Director, Administrators, Orchestra Contractor, Technical DirectorSubject: Thor wants thunder! Dear Ulisses colleagues, As the score specifies thunder several times, and since the love of thunder is in my genes, I’ve been researching authentic thunder makers for Baroque theaters. The thunder ‘sheet’ is a later invention (all of that metal in a

For context on this post, go here. Eleven years since I last spent time with Fiordiligi, Dorabella, Despina, Ferrando, Guglielmo, and Alfonso. I actually didn’t think I missed them, but I’m glad to have them back. The thing is, they’ve changed. Or perhaps it’s not they who have changed. This is the Così of words,

For context on this post, go here. I took over as General Director of Wolf Trap Opera in 1997. When my predecessor was planning to leave to run the young artist program at the Met, he mentioned that I might want to look into taking this job. I said, “What are you, nuts?” (Well, actually

For context on this post, go here. First, a definition: The recitative is the portion of an opera that’s sung without full orchestral accompaniment – in this case, with just a harpsichord. Strictly, the recitative (or recit) is meant to be accompanied by a “continuo” group that often includes various keyboard, plucked, and/or string instruments

For context on this post, go here. My 1991 Così was my first at Wolf Trap, and it was a watershed in the beginnings of my grappling with the extra-musical aspects of our business. I entered the world of opera as a pianist, and I entered it quite late. I got my first opera job