Post-opera life has been a little hard to adapt to for me. After two weeks though, I'm settling in. I've been able to spend a lot of time with my children and concentrate on their needs.
I've decided not to have any more basement concerts. They have not been well attended unfortunately, so we will just push forward without the fundraisers and see how much we can get done. It may or may not happen by March.
Now I have Chords of Faith (www.chordsoffaith.com) on Sundays. We will have 2 concerts, one in December and one in April.
I'm also singing for my 7th season with The Michael O'Neal Singers and Chamber Singers. (www.mosingers.com) We have many concerts to look forward to which I will post of course.
The Reminiscents have not had a gig for quite some time. We're still praying that things will take off someday.
I'm trying to start an opera club (I'm sure we'll come up with a better name) in order to learn opera roles. I would really love to have a wonderful group to sing with on a weekly basis. We'll meet, learn the roles, and then perform the opera in concert.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Tartuffe Sept. 10-12
We have been in rehearsals now for Tartuffe for 2 weeks and have fully blocked the 1st and 3rd acts. They are looking good! We were excited for our Tartuffe to join us this week upon his return from New York and are looking forward to our Damis to come in on Thursday and make our cast complete (and so we can block Act 2). To order tickets, go to the Capitol City Opera website at www.ccityopera.com.
Tartuffe is an opera in English by the composer Kirke Mechem and Capitol City Opera Company is producing it on the stage at Oglethorpe University on Fri. and Sat. Sept. 10 and 11 at 8PM and Sun. Sept. 12 at 3PM. The costumes will be fantastic, but will not be able to overshadow the great singing that is going to happen. The opera is based upon the play by Moliere that premiered in 1660, but the opera premiered in 1980 at the San Francisco Opera. It is very easy to listen to and the comedy should make it easy to watch as well; however, that does not diminish the fact that it is tough to sing.
I can only speak for myself, of course, but the entrances are tricky and the first note of each phrase is sometimes elusive. I have never worked so hard to learn something. My part is also dauntingly large for me at this time in my life, but I am relishing the hard work. I play Dorine, the maid. She is intrical in scheming the overthrow of Tartuffe and therefore, I have conversations with each of the characters separately, sing the well-known aria "Fair Robin I Love" and laugh a lot (which in opera makes for some very difficult music).
I did some interesting research this week on the time period. The king of France at the time was Louis XIV. He reigned for a whopping 72 years, the longest of any European despot. He loved the theatre and was a dancer himself, taking part in several productions at court. Moliere plays were a favorite at court; therefore, Moliere frequently wrote scenes in deference to his sovereign (as seen in Act 3, Scene 2 of our opera). It was a relatively peaceful time for the country so our bourgeoisie characters would be living a life of pious devotion in the country, which is where all the trouble begins. In search of true Christianity, Orgon invites Tartuffe into his home. Everyone else in the house, Damis and Marianne (Orgon's children), Dorine, and Valere (Marianne's fiance) can all see Tartuffe's true colors, which include his lust for Orgon's wife Elmire, and must plot to get him out of the house and keep their inheritance at the same time!
I am thoroughly enjoying figuring out this character and learning the music and rehearsing with some other great singers. Now, if only we had an audience.....
Tartuffe is an opera in English by the composer Kirke Mechem and Capitol City Opera Company is producing it on the stage at Oglethorpe University on Fri. and Sat. Sept. 10 and 11 at 8PM and Sun. Sept. 12 at 3PM. The costumes will be fantastic, but will not be able to overshadow the great singing that is going to happen. The opera is based upon the play by Moliere that premiered in 1660, but the opera premiered in 1980 at the San Francisco Opera. It is very easy to listen to and the comedy should make it easy to watch as well; however, that does not diminish the fact that it is tough to sing.
I can only speak for myself, of course, but the entrances are tricky and the first note of each phrase is sometimes elusive. I have never worked so hard to learn something. My part is also dauntingly large for me at this time in my life, but I am relishing the hard work. I play Dorine, the maid. She is intrical in scheming the overthrow of Tartuffe and therefore, I have conversations with each of the characters separately, sing the well-known aria "Fair Robin I Love" and laugh a lot (which in opera makes for some very difficult music).
I did some interesting research this week on the time period. The king of France at the time was Louis XIV. He reigned for a whopping 72 years, the longest of any European despot. He loved the theatre and was a dancer himself, taking part in several productions at court. Moliere plays were a favorite at court; therefore, Moliere frequently wrote scenes in deference to his sovereign (as seen in Act 3, Scene 2 of our opera). It was a relatively peaceful time for the country so our bourgeoisie characters would be living a life of pious devotion in the country, which is where all the trouble begins. In search of true Christianity, Orgon invites Tartuffe into his home. Everyone else in the house, Damis and Marianne (Orgon's children), Dorine, and Valere (Marianne's fiance) can all see Tartuffe's true colors, which include his lust for Orgon's wife Elmire, and must plot to get him out of the house and keep their inheritance at the same time!
I am thoroughly enjoying figuring out this character and learning the music and rehearsing with some other great singers. Now, if only we had an audience.....
Monday, July 26, 2010
Summer is coming to an end
Capitol City Opera Company gave another Summer On the Lightside on Saturday night. This year, we sang the music of Rogers and Hammerstein to a sold out crowd.
Next up, Build the Basement #4: Upon this Rock. The very talented Tom Gregory and I have been working on some of the Christian music I wrote when I was younger, bringing it back to life. Edward Galaviz will join us on drums on Saturday night, August 14th at 7PM in the basement. Franco and I have framed out the recording booth and Franco has been working on the wiring. So, the next step is the sheetrock. Then, it will really look like a room!
Next week, I begin rehearsals for Tartuffe. I'll be playing Dorine, the maid. It's a fantastic part for me and I am very excited about it. Tartuffe plays September 10th and 11th at 8PM and September 12th at 3PM at Oglethorpe University.
The Reminiscents are working on some bookings for the fall. I'll keep you updated on that.
The Michael O'Neal Singers and Chamber Singers are getting started again soon and I'm auditioning for Chords of Faith this year. That ought to keep me plenty busy!
Next up, Build the Basement #4: Upon this Rock. The very talented Tom Gregory and I have been working on some of the Christian music I wrote when I was younger, bringing it back to life. Edward Galaviz will join us on drums on Saturday night, August 14th at 7PM in the basement. Franco and I have framed out the recording booth and Franco has been working on the wiring. So, the next step is the sheetrock. Then, it will really look like a room!
Next week, I begin rehearsals for Tartuffe. I'll be playing Dorine, the maid. It's a fantastic part for me and I am very excited about it. Tartuffe plays September 10th and 11th at 8PM and September 12th at 3PM at Oglethorpe University.
The Reminiscents are working on some bookings for the fall. I'll keep you updated on that.
The Michael O'Neal Singers and Chamber Singers are getting started again soon and I'm auditioning for Chords of Faith this year. That ought to keep me plenty busy!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Sing for Christ
I sang on Saturday, June 26th at the Sing for Christ concert. I don't get to sing this style of music very often so it was a treat, especially because I go to sing duets with Lee Herring.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
July 2010
2 things for July:
1st is the 3rd installment of the Build the Basement concerts on Saturday, July 10 from 2-4 PM. It will be an ice cream social highlighted by some patriotic music.
2nd is the annual fundraiser for Capitol City Opera, On the Lightside. This year, the troupe will be performing Rogers & Hammerstein. You know I love that! Sorry, this show is already sold out, but we're seeking another venue to have a 2nd performance. I'll let you know!
1st is the 3rd installment of the Build the Basement concerts on Saturday, July 10 from 2-4 PM. It will be an ice cream social highlighted by some patriotic music.
2nd is the annual fundraiser for Capitol City Opera, On the Lightside. This year, the troupe will be performing Rogers & Hammerstein. You know I love that! Sorry, this show is already sold out, but we're seeking another venue to have a 2nd performance. I'll let you know!
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