Lucia Piano Dress

Opera New Jersey is opening three shows is opening three shows in three days. It is an incredibly busy technical schedule--especially busy for the crew and the young studio artists, some of whom are in all three productions.

Abduction Hats in the costume shop

Lucia with knives

Stage Director John Hoomes shows Lucia (Lisette Oropesa) how to wield a knife on her brother Enrico (Eric Dubin).

Poolside Preview

Opera New Jersey held a preview in a Princeton poolhouse. All the hard surfaces made for marvelous acoustics. Pictured here is Matthew Burns, the Raimondo in LUCIA.

Lucia scene i

Lucia begins with the men's chorus--Enrico's men--looking for a mysterious man who might turn out to be Enrico's enemy, Edgardo. The director, John Hoomes, is assigning weapons to the ensemble.

Opera New Jersey Costume Fittings

Here at Opera New Jersey, the costume staff brings this rather ominous looking apple to costume fittings. But you're safe in the hands of costumer Patty Hibbert.

Lucia at Opera New Jersey

Tomorrow, rehearsals start for LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR at Opera New Jersey. Performances will be at McCarter's Matthews Theatre in Princeton. I've previously done TURANDOT, CARMEN, and BUTTERFLY in this theatre and it's good for opera. More to come.

Sarello's and Fargo Moorhead Opera

I participated earlier this week in a lovely benefit on for Fargo Moorhead opera earlier this week at Sarello's restaurant in Moorhead. Restauranteurs Tony and Sarah Sarello have graciously and generously contributed this event for several years.

Picture is of soprano Shana Blake Hill and FM Opera General Director and tenor, David Hamilton. Blake, who sang Sacagawea in their tour of CORPS OF DISCOVERY a few years back has a beautiful voice and also a wicked sense of humor. She sang everything from "Over the Rainbow" to "Sempre Libera" to Ricky Ian Gordon songs.

The benefit raises an impressive amount from only about 25 guests.

New Ballet Ensemble's Production

If you are in Memphis, go see New Ballet Ensemble's SPRINGLOADED June 5-7 at Buckman. They are doing the FAUST ballet sequence if you'd like to see it again.

Tunes at Trezevant Manor

Last night, Artistic Administrator Sarah Squire and I did a program at a beautiful retirement community, Trezevant Manor. Sarah sang lots of Gershwin and Porter and I did a few Johnny Mercer songs. It was nice to run into several subscribers in the crowd.