2010 has begun, and with it comes a new set of challenges.
Last Spring, I began the transition to singing tenor repertoire. I did several recitals, a Simon and Garfunkel show at Boba Cafe Cabaret, and the tenor solos in Mendelssohn’s St. Paul. Then I took several months to focus on practicing arias and really trying to find my own voice with an eye toward the challenges of the Spring.
In early March, I’ll be performing Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’amore with Las Cruces’ Doña Ana Lyric Opera (DALO), and in April (precise date is unknown) PhoebeJoy Wong and I will be performing Franz Schubert’s gorgeous song-cycle Die Schöne Müllerin.
I love both of them, and they actually offer some similar challenges in tessitura and length. I am very excited.
The dates for L’Elisir d’amore are March 5, 6, and 7 (though I’m double cast so I don’t know which dates I’m performing). Both will take place here in Las Cruces. Check the Look for Upcoming Performances link for more info as it comes to me. It’s going to look pretty bare for a month or so though .
Last night, the Dona Ana Lyric Opera’s (DALO) Opera Workshop presented its Fall opera scenes program. I have been helping Prof. Zimmerman with the organization, and last week I became the conductor for the scenes. That means that I made my conducting debut last night.
The scenes are a ton of fun. Prof. Zimmerman does not believe in “park and bark” at all, and therefore the singers are active, charming, funny, and believable.
The program begins at 7:30 tonight in the Atkinson Recital Hall on the NMSU campus. Admission is free.
I love singing this piece. I have been using it to end my recent recitals, and it is very good for leaving your audience on a good note! One mustn’t leave one’s audiences with a “bummer”.
Amiamo means “Let’s love”, and the piece is about how life is miserable without love.
After selling out seven straight performances, Boba Cabaret audiences have made it clear — they love “Homeward Bound: The Music of Simon & Garfunkel,” written and directed by the multi-talented Ian Sidden. Originally scheduled for July 17 to 18 and 24 to 25, the show’s high demand has prompted bonus shows for this Friday and Saturday night.
I loved putting on that show. The cast was fabulous, and the audiences were great.
Because of the success of the first two weekends of my made-up revue Homeward Bound: The Music of Simon and Garfunkel, the show has been extended to a third weekend. Leaving the cast is Kristin Connor, who will be on vacation. Joining us will be Rebekah Westrum.
The second weekend saw the abrupt departure of cast member Anthony Kumpf, but the cast came together brilliantly and made the second weekend a success.
Tomorrow afternoon, PhoebeJoy Wong and I will be giving a recital in Aspen, Colorado at the Aspen Community Church. It begins at 4 P.M. The event is free and open to the public.
This weekend’s performance of our self-created Simon and Garfunkel revue went beautifully! The cast – Philip Alvarez, Kristin Connor and Anthony Kumpf – did excellent jobs in their various roles. I love watching performers continue to explore their material. The audiences seemed ecstatic: in the three of the four performances, we were asked to do two encores apiece.
There are more showings next weekend at the Boba Cafe in Las Cruces, NM on Friday and Saturday night. Call for your reservations at (575) 647-5900 because these shows are selling out quickly.
Friday at 7:00 and again at 8:30 is the opening of Homeward Bound: The Music of Simon and Garfunkel at the Boba Cafe in Las Cruces. It will be a fun musical revue of the duo’s work, and it will run for two weekends. Head to Look for Upcoming Performances for more info!
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