AVA Artists Here, There, and Everywhere!

The End is Nigh...(UPDATED)

For the 2011-2012 fall/winter opera season but there are still AVA alumni and Resident Artists appearing on the world's biggest stages. The end of the season bleeds into the summer Festival months so there will be some overlap with my upcoming post on the summer season.

At Rome Opera Ellie Dehn (2006) and Shawn Mathey (2001) will sing Helena and Lysander in Benjamin Britten's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Performances are from June 19 through June 26.

 

  During the past season Shawn made his Dallas Opera debut as Tamino in DIE ZAUBERFLOTE.

 

 

 

 

Burak Bilgili (2004) sings Zaccaria in NABUCCO at Washington National Opera from April 28 through May 21.

 

 

 

 

 

That Richard Tucker Award-winning couple, Ailyn Perez (2006) and Stephen Costello (2007) are the doomed lovers in Los Angeles Opera's La bohème. Performances run May 15 through June 2.

 

Luis Ledesma (1998) takes on Silvio in PAGLIACCI for Michigan Opera Theater, May 12 though May 20.

 

 

 

A company debut awaits Jan Cornelius (2011) when she sings Countess Almaviva in Fort Worth Opera's LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, May 19 to June 1. 

 

 

Corinne Winters (2011) is singing Micaëla in Opera Theater of Saint Louis English-language CARMEN. Performances are from May 19 to June 23.

Minnie, Get Your Gun

Giacomo Puccini's operas are warhorses in the opera world. "Tosca," and "Madama Butterfly" are in the repertory of practically every company, "Turandot" seems to be getting more popular with time and "La bohème" is inarguably the most-performed and best-loved opera of all time. But the composer's LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST, while recognized as a masterpiece, is not performed nearly as often. In the 2010-2011 season the Metropolitan Opera hauled out it's 1991 production for the opera's centennial but doesn't appear to be bringing it back in the near future.

Why is FANCIULLA so disregarded? Possibly because there aren't the showstopper arias that abound in Puccini's other operas but more likely it is because the title role requires a voice that is lush and strong but more lyrical than his other towering creation, Turandot.  And Nashville Opera has found just the gal to do this character justice. Othalie Graham (2004),who has made Turandot one of her signature portrayals will be making her role debut as Minnie on April 12 and 14. Reading Othalie's Facebook postings it's obvious that she's having a ball getting into this character which I personally feel is a more nuanced and developed human being than the Chinese ice princess. So hoist a shot glass (or more appropriately an espresso) to AVA's golden girl!

THE PASSION OF AIDA, THE SERENITY OF LATONIA

Stepping in for another singer on short notice is a nerve wracking situation for any singer but even more so when the deputizing singer is making her debut in one of the starriest roles in the Italian repertory and in one of the most famous productions in one of the biggest houses in the world. Latonia Moore did exactly that on March 3 when she sang Aida at the Metropolitan Opera on a Saturday matinee that was broadcast around the world. And while the Triumphal March is played for the victorious Egyptians in this grandest of Verdi operas it could easily have been encored for Latonia as she took her curtain call.

But not only is it a nerve wracking circumstance for the singer in question it is equally a time of tension for her colleagues. Theoretically, in productions at houses like the Met which have a constantly shifting repertory these situations should proceed smoothly. But until the curtains part and the prelude begins no one is sure how things would go.

When Latonia was notified she would be going on as Aida she announced it to her family and friends on Facebook. I have no doubt she was prepared and assured but she was also taking on a role that some of the greatest sopranos had sung at the Met. She was introducing herself to one of the most demanding audiences.

It didn’t take long for everyone to realize that Latonia has what it takes to be on that stage. In my opinion it was her “Ritorno vincitor” that sealed the deal. Her voice was lush and powerful and her phrasing was impeccable and the audience adored her. It showed her co-stars that they were in good hands and the performance would be smooth sailing, musically at least. The Met had some equipment problems that afternoon that resulted in overlong intermissions but the singers coped admirably. Brava Latonia! 

 

Continuing on...

For the rest of March and April here are the opera companies where AVA alumni are appearing.

Ellie Dehn (2006) sings Donna Elvira in the new Michael Grandage production  of "Don Giovanni" at the Metropolitan Opera from February 21 through March 17.

 

 

 James Valenti (2006) sings one of his signature roles, Alfredo in "La Traviata" at Dallas Opera from April 13 - 29.

 

 

 

 

Noah Stewart (2008) and Jesus Garcia (2002) share the role of Nadir in Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers" at Michigan Opera Theater. Performances are from April 14 through 22.

 

 

Also from April 14 - 22 Levi Hernandez (2002) will be singing the role of Sharpless in "Madama Butterfly" at Minnesota Opera.

 

 

At New York's Gotham Chamber Opera Michele Angelini appears in a Mozart rarety, "Il Sogno di Scipione." Performances run from April 11 - 21.

And for the rest of the season

The 2011 - 12 opera season is in its second half so let's take a look at where AVA alumni and Resident Artists will be singing.

2009 graduate Ben Wager sings Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor at Minnesota Opera in early March.

 

Keith Miller (2006) will be taking a break from his Metropolitan Opera duties to sing the role of Riolobo in Florencia en el Amazonas at Opera Colorado in March.

  

Todd Thomas  (1987) takes the title role in Rigoletto at Pensacola Opera
on March 9 and 11.

 

 

 On March 4 and 10, Dana Beth Miller (2003) willbe at Arizona Opera
singing Amneris in Aida. 

 

 

Richard Troxell (1992) is at Portland Opera for the Philip Glass opera Galileo Galilei from March 30 through April 7. He sings the dual roles of the elder Galileo and the Speaker.

 

 

It's a brand new year

Happy New Year to all!

2012 gets off to a great start with news from Othalie Graham (2004) and Corinne Winters (2011).

Othalie reports that she has been awarded the Olga Forrai Foundation  Grant which is given "to provide support for the training, education and career development of exceptionally large dramatic voices in the fields of opera and conductors of classical music."

Coming up  in April for Othalie is the role of Minnie in Puccini's "La Fanciulla del West" at Nashville Opera. And stay tuned for further news about the beauty with the big voice.

 

 

 

A graduate of AVA's most recent class, Corinne has been named Musical America's New Artist of the Month.  She will be appearing at Florida Grand Opera as Lisette in Puccini's "La Rondine" in from January 21 through February 4. Future plans for Corinne include Michaela in "Carmen" at Opera Theater of Saint Louis in May and  June.