A quick note today to call out tonight’s UNTRAPPED performance with the National Orchestral Institute + Festival. Our partnership with NOI+F is built on a beautiful synergy between their work with the best young orchestral musicians in the country and our commitment to emerging opera singers. And during rehearsals (photo above from last night), it’s common
Read MorePosts Categorized: 2018 Season
The Pleasure of Song
There’s a lot of talk these days about digging deep, being attentive to detail and texture, and staying present in the moment. I spend most of my days in dogged pursuit of mindfulness (which I realize is a dismaying contradiction), and I work in an art form that is seriously in love with its big
Read More#MeToo and the Women of Opera
I was honored to be part of an important discussion on NPR this weekend, It’s archived here: Shout-out to the two amazing, strong and smart emerging singers who shared this experience with me – Leah Hawkins and (WTOS alumna) Aleks Romano! More to come on this later in the summer, as we approach our Filene Center
Read MoreThe Art of Pleasure: Those Poor Pigeons
In preparation for his Art of Pleasure recital at The Barns this coming week, Steve Blier is enjoying introducing the comedic pleasures of Tom Lehrer to a new generation of singers. A Harvard-trained mathematician, Lehrer moonlighted as a songwriter until his career as a purveyor musical satire threatened to outstrip his life as a math professor….
Read MoreThe Art of Pleasure: The Down-Low
When Steven Blier asked his cast, ““What pleasures beyond the obvious ones (food and sex) do you want to sing about, and what songs bring those pleasures to life for you?,” this song was one of the surprise answers. It turns out that “Lola” has something most rock songs don’t have: a terrific lyric that tells
Read MoreThe Art of Pleasure: Montsalvatge and the Sea
Steve Blier arrived at the Trap yesterday, and the luxurious sounds of The Art of Pleasure are filling the building! We’re doubly fortunate that Steve is writing about this show on the NYFOS Song of the Day blog. From today’s installment: The opening section [of The Art of Pleasure] is devoted to songs about the seaside and the
Read MoreMeet the 2018 Wolf Trap Opera Artists!
The 2018 Filene Artists Visit Wolf Trap’s website for performance listings to see what these amazing young professionals are singing this summer! Shows go on sale to the general public on February 17. (Wolf Trap members have access to tickets starting next week… I’m just sayin’…:)) SOPRANO MEZZO-SOPRANO TENOR BARITONE BASS-BARITONE / BASS Introducing the 2018
Read More