Although ‘El Canguro’ is literally translated as ‘the kangaroo’, the title of this new opera refers to a pregnant young woman, and the story tells of a corrupt adoption system that used the creation of life as an economic game. The topic is best explained with the librettist’s own words: My first exposure to the … Read more
– by Elyse Cook (08/27/11) The Yeoman of the Guard is the darkest, and perhaps most emotionally and musically powerful, of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas. Set in the Tower of London the plot revolves around Colonel Fairfax, who is wrongly accused of sorcery by his cousin and sentenced to death. Within an hour of his execution, … Read more
Katie Campbell at Boston Court, 7/30/11 CD Release Party – End of the Beginning by Amy Engelhardt Katie Campbell is a freshly uncorked bottle of champagne. The excitement of the initial pop, the giggly bubble as it pours into a glass, the raised eyebrows when you lift the potion to your lips, and the fizzy … Read more
Did you make it to ‘Trouble in Tahiti’ this weekend? Hi, folks — This is a prime example of why I don’t do real reviews on this site: I’m way too biased, and prefer ‘Raves’, where I can gush without restraint. Pacific Opera Project‘s latest offering, Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, was great fun and a rare … Read more
A recital by eight bass singers associated with the Repertory Opera Company — July 2, 2011 By Bruce Wright Singers like to joke about the types of roles traditionally associated with various types of voices. Some lament their limitations, while others delight in the rich tradition, descended from the commedia dell’arte, of stock characters brought vividly … Read more
Of course, not everyone likes to read. But if you want to succeed, your bookstore, your library or even your friends can be the first step to learning the crucial skills to keep your momentum going. Think beyond the usual biographies and rep references, and pick something up that can teach you about your career. … Read more
The Opera Audition is a new blog, penned by Bill Florescu of Milwaukee’s Florentine Opera Company. He has a lot to say on the audition process and how to hone those skills, and the writing’s pretty good — although he writes with a sort of stream-of-consciousness style, it’s easy to follow unlike so many other … Read more
We love to see innovation in fundraising, especially for performing organizations. Kudos to the ever-inventive Celestial Opera for hosting a Bookfair event at the Barnes & Noble in Glendale this weekend. The Bookfair takes place Saturday, May 16, letting the public know about their performances and their organization, and to raise money for the next … Read more
It only happened Sunday night, but the press is already in a tizzy. Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman took a quiet stand before his Disney Hall performance, announcing that his debut in that space may also be his last performance there: he is boycotting US performances due to his frustration with our country’s military actions overseas. … Read more
The basic training of every singer should, of course, include myriad types of practical and theoretical emphases. One important area which is often neglected, however, is the art of one-upsmanship. The following rules, extracted from one of the foremost sources of vocal wisdom on the Internet (see below), will guide you as you develop the … Read more
