This past week, members of the Wolf Trap Opera Studio took their fabulous Instant Opera! improvised opera to hundreds of children in the magical part of Wolf Trap National Park called the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. Five years ago, I was onstage with the singers, developing this incredible project with Jim Doyle (of Comedy Sportz, and now
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Whirldwind Trip: Tanglewood & Glimmerglass
My raw envy of the Tanglewood Theatre’s fly space and ample orchestra pit is mitigated by thankfulness for our air conditioning at The Barns at Wolf Trap. Yo-Yo Ma and James Taylor sharing the stage while neither playing up nor down to each other’s genres is a simple and beautiful thing. The words “fully endowed
Read More08.01.10
10:18 am with Titania & Bottom in rehearsal “Come, sit thee down upon this flowery bed, While I thy amiable cheeks do coy, And stick musk-roses in thy sleek smooth head, And kiss thy fair large ears, my gentle joy.” 12:34 pm: Artist Transpo A quiet moment waiting at the Hilton, catching up on email
Read MoreNight “Off”
No opera for me tonight; I’m focused on the ampersand part of my job, backstage right with the National Symphony Orchestra, listening to Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy. Is this genre a new part of the symphonic pops “long tail”? It’s not Mahler, but it certainly can hold its own next to the decades-old
Read MoreThe Vibe in the House
On Sunday afternoon, we turned the theatre over to our studio singers, fellows and interns. 75 minutes of scenes from 7 operas in 4 languages were sung, played, supertitled, and stage-managed by folks whose average age couldn’t have topped 23. The rest of us cheered, enjoyed, and did the best we could at house management.
Read MoreStudio Spotlight!
The Wolf Trap Opera Studio takes the stage of The Barns tomorrow for scenes from The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Barber of Seville, Turando, Love for Three Oranges, The Daughter of the Regiment, Iphigenie en Tauride, and West Side Story! (Photos from Friday’s dress rehearsal)
Read MoreFusion: Vocal Colors
FUSION (noun): a merging of diverse, distinct, or separate elements into a unified whole Etymology: from fusus, pp. of fundere “pour, melt” Thursday was all about melding music and visual art. Melting the colors in the art until they became harmonies, words, and melodies. Pouring the music back into the paintings until they became wholly
Read MoreFall 2010 on the Audition Trail!
This fall’s audition tour dates and locations have been determined. The online application and other details will be available by August 10, but here are the dates and deadlines for planning purposes. All sites and dates are options for Filene Young Artist and Studio Artist auditions, as well as Fellowship interviews. DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 24 New
Read MoreThe Song Recipe
The process of preparing an opera is largely additive. Learn the role inside-out, annotate and memorize. Then show up for rehearsal. Add blocking, props, costumes, sets, orchestra. Amplify and enhance until the glorious whole is bigger than the sum of its many complicated parts. Present to an audience primed for being transported out and away
Read MoreTony & Maria and Romeo & Juliette
Well, actually, it was David & Ashlyn and Nathaniel & Hana who got to spend last evening with the amazing National Symphony Orchestra, bringing bits and pieces of the Romeo and Juliet musical legend to the stage. To the approximately-115-degree stage of the Filene Center. But even the current heat wave didn’t dampen the enthusiasm
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