Lauri D Goldenhersh There’s no doubt that the most recent production of Wagner’s ‘Ring Cycle’ at the Met was a monumental undertaking. But Lepage’s notorious 45-ton “Machine” aside, getting behind the scenes is the best way to get a sense of what really went into a project that could only be a team effort. Wagner’s Dream is a … Read more
Notes from the Women Singers Retreat — July 11, 2012 Earlier this year, Caroline McKenzie, a longtime Lister and friend (and jaw-dropping soprano to boot) got a bee in her bonnet, and hatched an almost magical plan: she would put together a day-long “retreat” for female classical singers who had reached or passed the midpoint … Read more
Alexander Frank Ruggieri was a man of talent, passion and presence. With a keen mind, a sincere and abiding love of great music, and a booming bass voice, he was an imposing figure that housed sharp wit and a kind heart. He was well-known in Southern California and well beyond, as his tenacity and deep knowledge … Read more
[Starting this week, at the request of several of our readers, we’ll repost the vocal column from Jim Eninger’s indispensible Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter here, as soon as it’s available. To get added to Jim’s e-news list, send him a message. To see the latest issue of CCMN, click here.] Southern California Vocal Events LAURI … Read more
Join us for our next Lister “Gathering” this coming Wednesday, July 25 — we’ll meet at 6:15pm in Pasadena’s gorgeous Arclight theater to enjoy the new comedy, “To Rome With Love”. Woody Allen leads a knockout cast of diverse talent, playing a retired opera director — this is particularly appropriate, of course, in light of … Read more
[From guest blogger and Lister, Amy Engelhardt] This year. while I spent a chunk of time in New York City, I sought out freelance work at churches and temples for some extra dinero, as I have done for 20+ years subbing for many of YOU sopranos and altos in Los Angeles. Because I had … Read more
The LA Phil’s summer season opens with Slatkin, LAMC and a host of extras It’s not “hidden”, but it doesn’t get much better than this: Leonard Slatkin at the podium, video projections by Herman Kolgen, the LA Master Chorale, and a quartet of soloists including: Rachel Willis-Sørensen. soprano Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano Gordon Gietz. … Read more
The debut performance of the recently organized Independent Opera Company, led by founder/artistic director, Galina Barskaya, brought an enjoyable reading of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin to Westside audiences, sung in Russian with English supertitles. Tchaikovsky’s lush setting of Pushkin’s beloved novel in verse provides enhanced intensity to the source’s emotional highlights. Much of the libretto is … Read more
When was the last time you looked at your Lister profile? Full membership has its advantages, but if you’re not keeping your profile updated, you’re missing an opportunity, and maybe even missing out on gigs. Full members’ profiles are searchable and available to contractors and other members, as they seek to fill roles, solos, subs … Read more
[From guest blogger and Lister, Lisa Wall-Urgero] It’s true, I am absolutely biased. I hold an unfair prejudice for California Lutheran University’s Summer Vocal Institute – affectionately referred to by its faculty and alum as CLUSVI (and pronounced “CLUES-vee”). But as a charter faculty member and principal pianist, I have, you see, earned the right … Read more
