Carl is unique among the alumni on the upcoming August 24 concert, for he was a member of an Associate Artist program run for two years in the 1980’s. That program was an early precursor for our current Studio Artist program, as it was focused on singers at a slightly earlier phase of their careers.
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Homecoming: James Valenti
James sang what was to become one of his signature roles at Wolf Trap in 2004; Rodolfo in La bohème. In another first for the WTOC, that Bohème represented our first cover-to-cover full opera done with the National Symphony Orchestra. When James returns to the Filene Center stage on August 24, he’ll sing the anthem
Read MoreHaving to Choose
We pulled together 14 alumni of the Wolf Trap Opera Company for the exciting anniversary concert at the Filene Center on August 24, 2011. Opera’s Greatest Hits will cover all 4 decades of the Company’s history and reach across hundreds of years of iconic opera arias and ensembles. As luxurious as this is, my only
Read MoreThe Many Tale(nt)s of E.T.A. Hoffmann: Tonight!
As we did research for this season’s Tales of Hoffmann for this season, I was repeatedly amazed and inspired by the real-life hero of Offenbach’s opera. I kicked the challenge over to WTOC coach/pianist Jeremy Frank and a quartet of singers, and tonight they’ll present a free talk and concert that includes vocal music written
Read MoreThe Next Generation: #2
In the wake of Instant Opera, we hosted another event especially for the youngest opera lovers among us. This morning’s Behind the Curtain (Family Day at Wolf Trap Opera) was a rousing success, thanks to the efforts and unspeakable goodwill shown by the 30 artists and staff members who showed up before 10am to take
Read MoreThe Next Generation: #1
The last few weeks of our season included two opportunities to engage budding opera fans. First, the Instant Opera residency at the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts: The kids choose characters, locations and actions, and the cast takes it from there, mixing original language aria excerpts with improvised English
Read MoreHoffmann Stage Rehearsal Photos
Finally put them on Flickr. Enjoy!
Read MoreThe Path to the Tales
I’ve been remiss in not shouting from the Blogging Rooftops how thrilled we are to be working from Schott’s Kaye/Keck edition for our Tales of Hoffmann. Producing this opera is like being presented with a wealth of confusing riches, not all of which can (or should) be piled into one evening at the theatre. Musicologists
Read MoreHoffmann Is Here
Such empty promises. In spite of such good intentions. I would have loved nothing more than to take you along with me on the ride that is Hoffmann at The Barns. But, as too often happens, it came down to managing the week or writing about it. I chose to try to keep the train
Read MoreHoffmann: Early Look
First look at this beautiful production. Early images from Monday evening’s piano tech. More tomorrow.
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