June 18, 2006
Whirlwind Opera Weekend in St. Louis
4 Operas in 3 days plus auditioning close to 40 young artists. Now that's what I call fun! This was my weekend in St. Louis. Its 10:30p Sunday evening and I am finishing my notes from the weekend's opera events.
Friday evening began with a production of the opera Jane Eyre by the composer Michael Berkeley. The opera received its world premiere in Wales in 2000. Based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte, the opera is only 90 minutes in length and is less the story of Jane Eyre than a study in the relationship of three characters Jane Eyre, Rochester, and Mrs. Rochester. The background of the novel only serves as a loose framework on which to base the relationships and provides a fuel for a gothic drama. Colin Graham directed and along with a strong cast provided a very good production of a piece that falls a bit short in the drama department. Many of the audience members seemed to come out of the theater asking themselves how the opera related to the novel and if it did relate, why was so much of the novel missing from the 90 minute opera. Kelly Kaduce as Jane Eyre headed up a very good cast that included, Scott Hendricks, Robynne Redmon, Elizabeth Reiter, and Elizabeth Batton who was last seen in Pittsburgh in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Saturday was a double dose of opera, Barber of Seville and Street Scene. Of the two operas Street Scene was the dramatically stronger production, but both operas had strong casts. Barber was directed by Ken Cazan and Street Scene was directed by Jim Robinson who was last in Pittsburgh with productions of Lucia di Lammermoor in 2002 and Carmen in 2004.
Kate Lindsey was a clever and spunky Rosina while Hugh Russell filled the shoes of the ever adaptable Figaro. Ken Cazan's production was filled with the usual slapstick and farce.
Jim Robinson's production of Street Scene was very strong. It was also good to see Pittsburgh Opera Center artists play a major role in the production. Carolyn Betty portrayed the role of Anna Maurrant with fine acting and a vocal quality that was excellent. Tim Mix was very good in the role of Harry Easter the real estate slime ball with a wife and his heart set on Rose Maurrant. Dan Kokanos portrayed Dr. Wilson.
Hansel and Gretel rounded out the Opera Theatre season. The house this evening was full of children both young and old ready to be entertained by this classic tale. The production directed by Michael Patrick Albano concentrated on the fantastical aspects of the fairy tale. The highlight of the production was Opera Center Graduate Maria Zifchak in the roles of the mother and the witch. Maria was spectacular in the role of the witch. She had the audience in stitches.
One of the great things about spending the weekend in St. Louis is that I get the opportunity to listen to so many young artists. In addition to hearing them on stage in various small roles I also get the opportunity along with many of my peers in the opera industry to audition the artists formally. The audition format consists of each artist selecting an aria of their choice. These types of auditions are a rite of passage for the young artist. From these auditions arts administrators get a good idea of where the artist is developing vocally and in some instances these auditions result in the young artist being cast in roles with other opera companies.
Auditions are a large part of a young artist's life. They are always auditioning for something or someone. The talent level of these auditions in St. Louis is always very high and those individuals listening spend a great deal of time after the auditions preparing notes and agreeing or not on what we have just heard. Its a wonderfully subjective time. It can also be like shopping in an operatic candy store. I especially enjoy hearing young artists that I have heard in other auditions and following their vocal developement. Its exciting to listen to a young artist find their voice and then communcate that voice to the audience.
Tomorrow I have an early flight home to Pittsburgh. I get two days this week in the office to catch up on work and then back on the road. Next stop Cincinnati Opera...
Friday evening began with a production of the opera Jane Eyre by the composer Michael Berkeley. The opera received its world premiere in Wales in 2000. Based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte, the opera is only 90 minutes in length and is less the story of Jane Eyre than a study in the relationship of three characters Jane Eyre, Rochester, and Mrs. Rochester. The background of the novel only serves as a loose framework on which to base the relationships and provides a fuel for a gothic drama. Colin Graham directed and along with a strong cast provided a very good production of a piece that falls a bit short in the drama department. Many of the audience members seemed to come out of the theater asking themselves how the opera related to the novel and if it did relate, why was so much of the novel missing from the 90 minute opera. Kelly Kaduce as Jane Eyre headed up a very good cast that included, Scott Hendricks, Robynne Redmon, Elizabeth Reiter, and Elizabeth Batton who was last seen in Pittsburgh in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Saturday was a double dose of opera, Barber of Seville and Street Scene. Of the two operas Street Scene was the dramatically stronger production, but both operas had strong casts. Barber was directed by Ken Cazan and Street Scene was directed by Jim Robinson who was last in Pittsburgh with productions of Lucia di Lammermoor in 2002 and Carmen in 2004.
Kate Lindsey was a clever and spunky Rosina while Hugh Russell filled the shoes of the ever adaptable Figaro. Ken Cazan's production was filled with the usual slapstick and farce.
Jim Robinson's production of Street Scene was very strong. It was also good to see Pittsburgh Opera Center artists play a major role in the production. Carolyn Betty portrayed the role of Anna Maurrant with fine acting and a vocal quality that was excellent. Tim Mix was very good in the role of Harry Easter the real estate slime ball with a wife and his heart set on Rose Maurrant. Dan Kokanos portrayed Dr. Wilson.
Hansel and Gretel rounded out the Opera Theatre season. The house this evening was full of children both young and old ready to be entertained by this classic tale. The production directed by Michael Patrick Albano concentrated on the fantastical aspects of the fairy tale. The highlight of the production was Opera Center Graduate Maria Zifchak in the roles of the mother and the witch. Maria was spectacular in the role of the witch. She had the audience in stitches.
One of the great things about spending the weekend in St. Louis is that I get the opportunity to listen to so many young artists. In addition to hearing them on stage in various small roles I also get the opportunity along with many of my peers in the opera industry to audition the artists formally. The audition format consists of each artist selecting an aria of their choice. These types of auditions are a rite of passage for the young artist. From these auditions arts administrators get a good idea of where the artist is developing vocally and in some instances these auditions result in the young artist being cast in roles with other opera companies.
Auditions are a large part of a young artist's life. They are always auditioning for something or someone. The talent level of these auditions in St. Louis is always very high and those individuals listening spend a great deal of time after the auditions preparing notes and agreeing or not on what we have just heard. Its a wonderfully subjective time. It can also be like shopping in an operatic candy store. I especially enjoy hearing young artists that I have heard in other auditions and following their vocal developement. Its exciting to listen to a young artist find their voice and then communcate that voice to the audience.
Tomorrow I have an early flight home to Pittsburgh. I get two days this week in the office to catch up on work and then back on the road. Next stop Cincinnati Opera...
