tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36617133300371972382024-03-15T20:09:26.095-05:00Opera and BeyondMichael Ching's blog, pondering music, opera, and where and how it fits in, particularly in the regions. Lots of helpful links down the righthand side.Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.comBlogger580125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-2070157051053463692024-03-14T15:22:00.001-05:002024-03-15T08:20:28.864-05:00Coming up, NOTES ON VIARDOT<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DbLpxmY0BiU8NHbxEwH53Gn-uoNPy1jpyR39wMyUd6qLs9gTLpjEPhD3DlJl_SzHdg5XBmMnbxCN0dfdILIE24qA1vvthKeiJVxIBj5ufXduf-sXnc2DmW3S27EoG8G41X9afzLLUCPCPHjM_rrB9mwPmVOgEzS5yXNX1UMqTxsfmGmh_WQ5e7619e4/s960/USD%20Marketing%20Image%20for%20NOTES.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="960" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DbLpxmY0BiU8NHbxEwH53Gn-uoNPy1jpyR39wMyUd6qLs9gTLpjEPhD3DlJl_SzHdg5XBmMnbxCN0dfdILIE24qA1vvthKeiJVxIBj5ufXduf-sXnc2DmW3S27EoG8G41X9afzLLUCPCPHjM_rrB9mwPmVOgEzS5yXNX1UMqTxsfmGmh_WQ5e7619e4/s320/USD%20Marketing%20Image%20for%20NOTES.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NOTES ON VIARDOT will have its premiere next month in April 2024. Dr. Tracelyn Gesteland suggested Madame Viardot as the topic for the opera after we spent nearly a year looking at subjects and discarding them. What a life--dad premiered Almaviva in BARBER OF SEVILLE, her sister was a famous diva, her brother a famous voice teacher. Liszt was her piano teacher and Saint-Saëns her accompanist. She collaborated with Berlioz and Chopin; Georges Sand was her mentor. Clara Schumann was a lifelong friend. Ivan Turgenev was the love of her life. Her salon was one of the most important in Paris. Gounod, Massenet, Faure, Debussy, Dickens, James... it goes on and on. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to write an opera about her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can download the perusal score on this blog, with the link on the column on the right.</div> <p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-3035703186805261452024-03-03T11:31:00.001-05:002024-03-03T11:31:41.603-05:00Speed Dating Tonight! at Baylor Opera Theatre<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9b59qBXUhs5u355z6bxEkilaadFwemKlVpf0_ToUrbJRLWtuHz9dnzzwo72Ipts3cAatP7FKxXU-XiJFFh16rIXJDLF-I1R1iA1adMp4OrXDeoqi0YWf2G8kHbX9kTVHIq8PK42QrSeLkIrH960OUy1BYr2nOBWaZl1GSrk7mhS3OCKXIDa2p0_8UdA/s2048/Picture%20from%20Baylor%20Opera%20Theatre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9b59qBXUhs5u355z6bxEkilaadFwemKlVpf0_ToUrbJRLWtuHz9dnzzwo72Ipts3cAatP7FKxXU-XiJFFh16rIXJDLF-I1R1iA1adMp4OrXDeoqi0YWf2G8kHbX9kTVHIq8PK42QrSeLkIrH960OUy1BYr2nOBWaZl1GSrk7mhS3OCKXIDa2p0_8UdA/s320/Picture%20from%20Baylor%20Opera%20Theatre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>SpDT! cast doing the Baylor "bearclaw"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week I had a lovely three days at the Baylor Opera Theatre. Thanks to Jeffrey Peterson, Jen Stephenson Baker, Kathleen Kelly, and Morgan Montfacier for making it happen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every time I go to visit a school, I try to record some notable performances for the SpDT! reference audios and videos. This time one of the ones I got was #34-#35 "Is it just me" <a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/dater-34-35?si=c65e6b01e1044bb58aa5413791bc2697&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing">here recorded</a> by Monica Malas and Blayne Stonecipher. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <a href="https://music.baylor.edu/event/2024/1511053-baylor-opera-theatre-speed-dating-tonight">Baylor performances are April 19 and 20</a>, 2024 at the wonderfully named Roxy Grove Hall.</div><br /> <p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-14156321216590833842024-01-20T12:43:00.000-05:002024-01-20T12:43:25.823-05:00The vocal recital transformed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr7BPffpSM1zupbSbUtRcAIJ4Y-3vBeBUWq9k-Lbdia3wivkxlrYt-7qgz5fqtN3bzYwP6liexwLVSmph_KWKu8YUPj0h9RFCrKayj364fnr1kcaEAtk7IbdjF2uvHt_ccwPdeTac0lZKH1T_6C5f6lFdVym6QWFB023R9e0kxe65mH2RLOLMS8b7bmc/s800/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr7BPffpSM1zupbSbUtRcAIJ4Y-3vBeBUWq9k-Lbdia3wivkxlrYt-7qgz5fqtN3bzYwP6liexwLVSmph_KWKu8YUPj0h9RFCrKayj364fnr1kcaEAtk7IbdjF2uvHt_ccwPdeTac0lZKH1T_6C5f6lFdVym6QWFB023R9e0kxe65mH2RLOLMS8b7bmc/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Jamie Barton and Kathleen Kelly with</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>TOI's Mark Craig </i><i>after the concert in Taos </i></div><p>Last week in Taos, I heard what I think was my favorite recital/concert ever. Taos Opera Institute (TOI) presented mezzo Jamie Barton with pianist Kathleen Kelly at the Taos Center for the Arts. The program was wide ranging yet never incoherent. It included German, French, and Italian sections, with the duo providing friendly, inviting commentary rather than formal program notes. This gave the event a welcoming, cabaret feel, which drew in the audience in a way that I've never seen in a program that had the likes of Purcell, Schubert, and Mahler. The closing English group of Libby Larsen and Jake Heggie songs had us enraptured in a way which said "and now let's add the extra layer of instantaneous, immediate comprehension to go along with the musical and vocal beauty and perfect ensemble supplied by their earlier foreign language selections. Songs in English should always provide that... like adding a wondrous fourth dimension. I arrived at the concert something of a jaded skeptic and left with a sense that Barton and Kelly have shown us how to transform the old "art song recital," into something vibrant, vital, and fun.</p><p>Bravo to TOI for bringing this program up the mountain. </p><div><br /></div>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-80953298030823534972023-11-27T12:36:00.000-05:002023-11-27T12:40:08.251-05:00String Quartet (1987) now at IMSLP<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSZp9S3hXPYKfFk0JV6I8XmfhoxIFg1XOBWZz-VB2kAouZgtm2uq8nOE98vNOdm37wrnAGPB-5Wh5trjOhU0wsdL2zARf1XZFjfmDmRYUdz3VCksTXTy7S0V4n9xxsR6wWhQKWUvY8LW_CMXMByPwXx0wtBcyAxcKqoZ5iViSiKZVXASW0qrMAAa0rwA/s802/Screenshot%202023-11-22%20094645.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="802" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSZp9S3hXPYKfFk0JV6I8XmfhoxIFg1XOBWZz-VB2kAouZgtm2uq8nOE98vNOdm37wrnAGPB-5Wh5trjOhU0wsdL2zARf1XZFjfmDmRYUdz3VCksTXTy7S0V4n9xxsR6wWhQKWUvY8LW_CMXMByPwXx0wtBcyAxcKqoZ5iViSiKZVXASW0qrMAAa0rwA/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-22%20094645.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've uploaded another piece to IMSLP. It's a <a href="https://imslp.org/wiki/String_Quartet_(Ching%2C_Michael)">String Quartet.</a> It's Creative Commons, so free to download and perform. As I mentioned in the post about the <a href="https://imslp.org/wiki/Fanfare_(Ching%2C_Michael)">Fanfare for Orchestral Brass</a> already up at IMSLP, I'm an opera composer and songwriter now and will not be going back to write pure instrumental music. There was still good stuff along the road, so why not share it? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I urge composers to make long term plans for their work and not trust it alone to fate, family, or publishers. </div><br /><p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-84217984769305070592023-11-22T10:11:00.000-05:002023-11-22T11:26:41.767-05:00Notes on Viardot piano vocal score<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI243tRFT0OvO1DB7MpRPX9tSxMl8b0QvKY5bmnPgtvqSnbSbEbnC9wTVcD4lPIxF6_z9_C-XZEoUCdL-kr_iAmoxZ7WAUdegH20ziHNgIVENjJg6n03xjK6SpNj9ztfoY3eV0jWGBxD2WxCtN1feDA0sj6qAhJN-tqC-lkVZyQHfpn3cLThMCE7RdstQ/s959/Notes%20Design%20for%20Blog%20post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="959" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI243tRFT0OvO1DB7MpRPX9tSxMl8b0QvKY5bmnPgtvqSnbSbEbnC9wTVcD4lPIxF6_z9_C-XZEoUCdL-kr_iAmoxZ7WAUdegH20ziHNgIVENjJg6n03xjK6SpNj9ztfoY3eV0jWGBxD2WxCtN1feDA0sj6qAhJN-tqC-lkVZyQHfpn3cLThMCE7RdstQ/s320/Notes%20Design%20for%20Blog%20post.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Notes on Viardot, or in this image, Viardot on notes</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The piano vocal score for NOTES ON VIARDOT has been delivered to University of South Dakota for its April premiere. <a href="https://od.lk/d/182318954_W5Avh/Notes%20on%20Viardot%20Complete%20Piano%20Vocal%20Score%20with%20Front%20Matter%20PERUSAL.pdf">A perusal version is now available</a> for download. Thanks to Florida Grand Opera, Taos Opera Institute, and Missouri State University, for the workshop/readings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first act is about a half hour and the second/third acts combined are about 45-50 minutes. I will be finishing up a 1/1/1/1 0/1/0/0 percussion, keyboard and strings orchestration. The first act will be available on its own. I'm proud to have written a full length opera that takes place on a unit set--projections desirable in one spot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A homage to Pauline Viardot, NOTES makes lively and frequent use of pastiche, quoting over twenty works by the likes of Chopin, Gluck, Saint-Saens, Clara Schumann, Rossini, Mozart, Donizetti, and several pieces by Pauline Viardot herself. I envision the work allowing lots of cross curricular programming, both within a music department and outside of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is 1905 and Pauline has granted an interview to a reporter. She talks about her famous singing family, her debut and rise, her many famous collaborations, her salons, and finally--and reluctantly--about her personal life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have ten minutes, here are four short excerpts:</span></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Act I <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHqk4RWqN9I" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Characters”</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sung by the Young Artists at Florida Grand Opera (PV 6-11) 2:13. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This will give you an idea of the extensive use of pastiche in the opera</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-71f61c1b-7fff-df9d-0074-9463ac0c669b"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Act II </span><a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/calling-cards-from-notes-on-viardot/s-4ACVK7rlTZt?si=91ec6fa7536844209575cfde201e301c&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Calling Cards</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">” sung by Emily Owings at Missouri State University. Emily sang Pauline at the reading at Missouri State University. Solo version of a duet, giving you the breadth of Pauline's influence in her day.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Act III </span><a href="https://youtu.be/caRZ7jwh8Jg?t=25" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Hermann and Dorothea” duet </span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">for Younger Pauline and Younger Turgenev (PV 153-160)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(ends at 3:35) Performed by Sophia Vidali and Colin Clark Bracewell at Taos Opera Institute. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Act II “Chere madame Viardot” Turgenev writes to Pauline from Russia. </span><a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/dear-madame-viardot-from-notes-on-viardot?si=67707df2ab154812b26ff89c2aef087c&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Audio Sung</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by Peter Lake (PV 87-93) 3:11 Aria has been adapted for solo voice</span></p><br /></span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-20042140459931279652023-09-23T17:04:00.003-05:002023-11-22T11:24:45.529-05:00Fanfare (1991) now over at IMSLP<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GXkurPolT50NrLajTZJrZgAxfGUw-NfUhY_W0MSuiRUDJv4VNdGSufU3nMiV76nqRJBsIxJrYO_XCe2FUm4dD5RxwW8gM8GfdCVsMBCiJoyMdxs3IB-8CkL1FtIlrD40t4e-WUXtR42HqYvKUpsG0swU_2Myv-HuhsDs-0vE3Kl6rKZcl_sbsYg5Q9k/s688/Screenshot%202023-09-23%20164548.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="557" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GXkurPolT50NrLajTZJrZgAxfGUw-NfUhY_W0MSuiRUDJv4VNdGSufU3nMiV76nqRJBsIxJrYO_XCe2FUm4dD5RxwW8gM8GfdCVsMBCiJoyMdxs3IB-8CkL1FtIlrD40t4e-WUXtR42HqYvKUpsG0swU_2Myv-HuhsDs-0vE3Kl6rKZcl_sbsYg5Q9k/s320/Screenshot%202023-09-23%20164548.png" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most composers specialize and I am no exception. That specialization usually doesn't occur until a bit later. Our training doesn't encourage us to specialize too soon--after all we need to learn how to write in lots of different styles and with different combinations of instruments before we can tell what really ignites our passion to write. In my case, by the mid 1990s I realized that I really needed my music to go with words. So I have stopped writing instrumental music. </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The question then, is what to do with these other things, things for which, frankly, I have no reputation? My solution is going to be to make most of my non-vocal works available freely for download and performance. I have started here by uploading the score and parts to my 1991 <a href="https://imslp.org/wiki/Fanfare_(Ching%2C_Michael)">Fanfare at IMSLP</a>. This piece even got a <a href="https://www.dailypress.com/1991/03/24/virginia-symphony-offers-elegant-program/">nice review </a>back then. So if you happen on this blog, feel free to download and perform this! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back in '91 I foolishly wrote this piece in B major, which isn't the greatest key for brass. Here it is, now living happily in B flat, a classic key for brass.</div><br /><p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-23595391084690159222023-09-15T14:54:00.006-05:002023-09-19T11:30:06.019-05:00Dad's Old manuscripts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNolFPI9-jHqjMFvyY2EWnh3iSF3xj7UoQc-ZzDEbhVj1D22nqnE8wAvXtVxCAPvpAJmJtPXTHkui1fXYpgX2dgzywPTKZJTOPAUxzZVQ2b_JaEyr2QRoI2SfWVKir1MrR5ZW1I2ZyqqPvPWtVtYK4iu3H6e-LiUbQa-1iZf2VIVFSbJh4qReeqmUdaOY/s4080/PXL_20230916_144629255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNolFPI9-jHqjMFvyY2EWnh3iSF3xj7UoQc-ZzDEbhVj1D22nqnE8wAvXtVxCAPvpAJmJtPXTHkui1fXYpgX2dgzywPTKZJTOPAUxzZVQ2b_JaEyr2QRoI2SfWVKir1MrR5ZW1I2ZyqqPvPWtVtYK4iu3H6e-LiUbQa-1iZf2VIVFSbJh4qReeqmUdaOY/w482-h640/PXL_20230916_144629255.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Most of you never met my father, James Christopher Ching, who died right after I graduated from college. He was a professor of what now would be called communications, but was called speech back then. Although he had some early successes, his career stalled and he wrote a couple of books that didn't get published. He did write a play, AWEOWEO, that was produced by the theater company at Hamline University where he worked. </p><p>These manuscripts have worked their way into my storage room and I have been loathe to throw them out. But last week I digitized them and uploaded them, so the typescripts will make their way to the waste management system here where they will be burned to help produce power. </p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fvH7tWJExKdHDey5lf2e4WolLeL5RNPj/view?usp=drive_link">AWEOWEO</a> is about the overthrow of King David Kalakaua, the last monarch of Hawaii. And the other manuscript, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TFo6LzeJ7SRqq5ze3Fq1dg_KuUlElXx7/view?usp=drive_link">THE MERRY MONARCH</a>, is a biography of Kalakaua. If anyone happens to come upon this blog post and wants to download them and have a look, please feel free. My father was born and raised in Hawaii and passionate about the fate of the islands and their people.</p><p>Another unpublished manuscript is called <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/13-Hc6V2byWU02srfKU6JueAavU9aJ8zu/view?usp=drive_link">CONFRONTATION</a>:A RHETORIC OF CRISIS. My father taught public speaking and <a href="https://archive.org/details/advancedpublicsp0000rogg">coauthored a textbook </a>about it. The book is about the rhetoric used in the social protest movements from the mid fifties through the early seventies. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-35838525305493034582023-06-28T07:25:00.000-05:002023-11-22T11:25:12.191-05:00Taos Opera Institute (2023)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp_9XjC1iIDoZ5Ixf3fBrqP-UriWTqAjhmVqhzJMEHAyT7cXTE-ix1tMbUchYvR1XSYY25U4vJsi9s8667U5_hwME8YKedXci-6W9i7i6gaEDmreXqf1zw6xmpIHmQlT4OejJgkAChilpBW6At_eFfClct8hUK3g6LX9jquIT5p_urLihGsxajcbvmrg/s4080/PXL_20230623_155244464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp_9XjC1iIDoZ5Ixf3fBrqP-UriWTqAjhmVqhzJMEHAyT7cXTE-ix1tMbUchYvR1XSYY25U4vJsi9s8667U5_hwME8YKedXci-6W9i7i6gaEDmreXqf1zw6xmpIHmQlT4OejJgkAChilpBW6At_eFfClct8hUK3g6LX9jquIT5p_urLihGsxajcbvmrg/s320/PXL_20230623_155244464.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.taosoi.org/">Taos Opera Institute</a> has a new director, Mark Craig. He has been there a couple years, staging the final showcase and helping the founders, Mary Jane Johnson and Linda Poetschke. I have been there for two productions of Speed Dating Tonight! and one of RSBE. The students there have regular voice lessons and coachings, with the requirement of performing a new song or aria every week in Italian, German, French, or English. <p></p><p>Now officially their composer-in-residence, I was fortunate that they did a staged workshop of some of NOTES ON VIARDOT.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGnAmauDLvIqh8aqVwZ9f27LDxU2GLLPtjbTTplmiw0piZE7Rmc8CvTPLtIZ6HeMSz3qb7lRZSDvE3BjKtRe7hubXdt3TmVE2TIqlplOzag72uXOUYJM5-QAyHkNuLsnXhR2qx1CEfW3ESyrzK5pW_Ec8-sFXps7QUcWysOS3yfJHwqCSIP8ixwVuQ6g/s4080/PXL_20230625_001300845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGnAmauDLvIqh8aqVwZ9f27LDxU2GLLPtjbTTplmiw0piZE7Rmc8CvTPLtIZ6HeMSz3qb7lRZSDvE3BjKtRe7hubXdt3TmVE2TIqlplOzag72uXOUYJM5-QAyHkNuLsnXhR2qx1CEfW3ESyrzK5pW_Ec8-sFXps7QUcWysOS3yfJHwqCSIP8ixwVuQ6g/s320/PXL_20230625_001300845.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>pictured: Colin Clark-Bracewell, Sophia Vidali, Marjorie Sheaff, </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>and Shaul Leket-Mor as the younger Ivan Turgenev, younger Pauline, </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>and older Pauline and older Turgenev.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This included a completed draft of the first act (previously read on book at Florida Grand Opera) and some new sections of the final act. The opera is loosely inspired by an interview Pauline Viardot (1821-1910) gave late in her life in the early 20th century. In the first act Pauline recalls her early life touring with the family's opera troupe; her debut in Brussels; her friend, mentor, and admirer Georges Sand; and her triumphant European tours. The second act (not done yet!) will focus on her midcareer, her salons, and her family life, including a filtered version of her relationship with her friend Turgenev, who often lived nearby and eventually moved in with Pauline and Louis Viardot. Both men died in 1883. Finally, in the last act, the reporter asks her to explain the relationship between the three of them. Annoyed, she dismisses the reporter, and in the last act will recall Ivan and Louis with love, fondness, and loss. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The premiere of NOTES ON VIARDOT is April 2024 at University of South Dakota-Vermillion.</div><br /><p><br /></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-26793883206507636072023-05-16T08:55:00.001-05:002023-05-16T09:09:47.867-05:0022-23 Thank yous<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMzlSSCRIJcKnQSQRG_ENmVD-qGfGlP8WLDpOlGrVB2I0Gco4uIfYRmEcFfgTzvlNFaTyYxHJtKaY1MVOpMdmWU4J7XevV7AGZr_br5H5HAqIpnViXQmhgudNdrtV-dSMd113VfaHoIln3f5TZMgB_DS8g-W0hm1g2QHLlCrCTQ3gy7S435Gcu8EG/s4032/PXL_20220217_145128035.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMzlSSCRIJcKnQSQRG_ENmVD-qGfGlP8WLDpOlGrVB2I0Gco4uIfYRmEcFfgTzvlNFaTyYxHJtKaY1MVOpMdmWU4J7XevV7AGZr_br5H5HAqIpnViXQmhgudNdrtV-dSMd113VfaHoIln3f5TZMgB_DS8g-W0hm1g2QHLlCrCTQ3gy7S435Gcu8EG/s320/PXL_20220217_145128035.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>As the 2022-23 season comes to a close, I want to thank the following places and people for performing my work--Cal State Northridge, Butler University, Iowa State University, Trinity University, Florida State University, University of Connecticut, University of Central Florida, Keene State, Vanderbilt University, Midwestern State University, Boise State University, Eastern Michigan University, University of Lynchburg, Whitworth University, Montclair State University, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Taos Opera Institute, Shreveport Opera, Fargo Moorhead Opera, L'Arietta Productions, Amarillo Opera, and Florida Grand Opera. Special thanks to Savannah Voice Festival, Fargo Moorhead Opera, and Amarillo Opera for premieres and to ECS for a new publication. Special thanks to this year's lyrical collaborators Reg Huston and Steve Aiken; and thanks to producer and tenor David Hamilton for over twenty years of collaborations. <p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-59769609616947940592023-05-01T15:14:00.003-05:002023-11-22T11:25:46.105-05:00A short description of all my operas<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6beJZx7bIvi2B61ELAZl160NcHi-lVJEpxZlKyl25K2rwrMciGm7J17ojNTFya0fmWciWyQ-Yn0UYuw7VraeqRuK9UW2bo0ejlJPFyweTfZIKNcZ75GMHtQP79wD28_PMe62RpY1lK5lmumaNm-WhoOB7wau9yNt4NANRNo9XEsPHM2xBl3DBomG/s985/Ching%20Operas%20List%20horizontal%20font%20larger%20cropped.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="985" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6beJZx7bIvi2B61ELAZl160NcHi-lVJEpxZlKyl25K2rwrMciGm7J17ojNTFya0fmWciWyQ-Yn0UYuw7VraeqRuK9UW2bo0ejlJPFyweTfZIKNcZ75GMHtQP79wD28_PMe62RpY1lK5lmumaNm-WhoOB7wau9yNt4NANRNo9XEsPHM2xBl3DBomG/s400/Ching%20Operas%20List%20horizontal%20font%20larger%20cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a><i>A list of my operas, and a little bit about them. I'm working on making this list more interactive. Perusal scores are available for some of these on the right hand side of this blog. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://operaandbeyond.blogspot.com/2021/05/how-to-learn-about-speed-dating-tonight.html">Speed Dating Tonight!</a></b> (2013) is my most popular work with over 130 productions on the books from 2013-2024. It's an imaginary speed dating night at a bar. It is flexible--I call it a "New Numbers Opera," with each performer getting a little solo to talk about their character. Most of the dates are not gendered and available in a variety of ranges. SpDT! can be as short as 30 minutes or a full length evening depending on how many dates you want to include. Commissioned by Janiec Opera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://www.ecspublishing.com/buoso-s-ghost-michael-ching.html">Buoso's Ghost</a> </b>(1996) is a sequel to <b>Gianni Schicchi</b>. It has the same cast and set, so it makes for a very practical, fun evening. Buoso is easier than Schicchi too, being in English. The orchestration matches the reduced version of Schicchi (2/1/2/1/2/2/1/0) Premiered at Opera Memphis and Pittsburgh Opera Center. Recently done at Florida Grand Opera. Buoso is published by EC Schirmer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1GPIuN_sqo">RSBE</a> </b>is a structured like <b>Speed Dating Tonight! </b>but is deeper and has a bit more ensemble singing. It was premiered and commissioned by University of Alabama. Like Speed Dating the casting is very flexible and usually not gendered. Don't get thrown off by the great video from the premiere. This opera can be done very simply such as in this <a href="https://operaandbeyond.blogspot.com/search?q=RSBE">version at Amarillo Opera</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>A Midsummer Night's Dream</b> (2011) was premiered as a completely a cappella opera, but thanks to Towson University, it's available with a small orchestration which keeps everybody in tune. There's still "voicestra" in the pit. All the text is Shakespeare's and, frankly, it's easier to understand than the classic Britten. A <a href="https://www.albanyrecords.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AR&Product_Code=TROY1507-08&Category_Code=a-Opera">great recording</a> is available of the original version. Here's an <a href="https://www.towson.edu/news/2022/making-of-midsummer-nights-dream-opera.html">article </a>about Towson's preparation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://studio.youtube.com/video/uQQjMHErRUQ/edit">Thrivers</a> </b>is an opera for high school performers about teen depression. Written for the Palm Springs Opera Guild, the subject was suggested by the students themselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Notes on Viardot</b> (2024) is a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpcy_TA5_2dqYKGlOeq3ffwIhhf-CIs_6">work in progress about the life of Pauline Viardot</a>. The premiere is in Spring 2024 at University of South Dakota-Vermillion, which commissioned it. The opera makes extensive use of quotation from what she sang as well as her own compositions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://operaandbeyond.blogspot.com/2023/03/dinner-4-3-full-info.html">Dinner 4 3</a></b> is a wicked little three-some opera written for Fargo Moorhead Opera. Adult content, although nothing over the top. The <a href="https://www.decameronoperacoalition.org/dinner-4-3">original version on idagio</a> is spectacular! Written with Deborah Brevoort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/leo-opera-in-one-cat?si=c9cfbc1b2e514947a6523257ff039d5f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing">Leo</a></b> is a 10 minute opera about a man who is angry with is cat. It was commissioned by the old Texas Opera Theater in the '80s and toured by them, but is still very viable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/sets/three-pigs-remix?si=c9cfbc1b2e514947a6523257ff039d5f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing">Three Pigs Remix</a></b> was written for the Opera Memphis touring/outreach quartet. S/A/T/B with piano. Irreverent and amusing. For elementary grades. Toured for two seasons by Fort Worth Opera cause they loved it so much. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://operaandbeyond.blogspot.com/2023/03/alice-and-anna.html">Alice and Anna</a></b> is actually two one act operas, Alice Ryley and Anna Hunter. They are each about famous women in Savannah. Alice is dark and sad; Anna, light and witty. Commissioned by Savannah Voice Festival and premiered together in 2022.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Slaying the Dragon</b> sounds like a joke set up--a rabbi and his wife make friends with the grand dragon of the KKK. A serious opera, written with Ellen Frankel, that I'd love to see up again. Here's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLHrzBATaiU">brief clip.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Birthday Clown</b> is a short opera about a clown who is tired of performing for birthday parties. The guest of honor cheers him up considerably and a drone makes a flying appearance. Written for Savannah Voice Festival.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Corps of Discovery</b> commemorates the Lewis and Clark expedition. There is a grand opera, a smaller version, and a mini version. Written with Hugh Moffatt. Commissioned by the University of Missouri. Here's a <a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/write-it-down-from-corps-of-discovery-1?si=a14afbc9778c47bc875c31470be4104e&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing">sample</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Eight Woods and a Van</b> is a bio-opera about the American painter Grant Wood and uses a series of his pictures as the inspiration. Commissioned by Cedar Rapids Opera Theater. Here's a <a href="https://youtu.be/RKTvGyJAvsc">sample</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Faith</b> is a one act "science fiction romance" based on a story by James Patrick Kelly. It was actually performed at Worldcon. (You'll be impressed if you know what that is.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkL2LmM83l8"><b>Completing the Picture</b> </a>is a short S/A/T/B opera that celebrates the Chinese who helped complete the Transcontinental Railroad. Written for Utah Opera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>King of the Clouds</b> is an S/A/T/B Piano opera about social issues for teen audiences. Commissioned in the 90s by Dayton Opera. Still very viable! Written with Hugh Moffatt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Out of the Rain</b> uses some of the same characters as King of the Clouds and was written a few years later. It is about the AIDS epidemic. Clouds and Rain can be done together. Commissioned by OperaDelaware. Also written with Hugh Moffatt. <a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/sets/out-of-the-rain?si=f267d7fdbed34e0eb27267b4eb6b1fff&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing">Audio link</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>A Royal Feast, </b>is a work in progress. It's a one act sequel to Rossini's <b>La Cenerentola. </b>Written with a team of middle school advisors from Savannah, the opera puts the magic and creatures back in to Cinderella.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">__________________________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By length and type (some of these operas are listed in more than one category depending on how they are used)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Full length operas:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Corps of Discovery</b>, <b>Alice and Anna </b>(see one acts), <b>A Midsummer Night's Dream</b>, <b>Notes on Viardot</b>, <b>Speed Dating Tonight!</b> <b>Slaying the Dragon</b>, <b>King of the Clouds</b> and <b>Out of the Rain</b> (see one acts), <b>RSBE</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One Act Operas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Faith</b>, <b>Eight Woods and a Van</b>, <b>Thrivers</b>, <b>King of the Clouds</b>, <b>Out of the Rain</b>, <b>Three Pigs Remix</b>, <b>Buoso's Ghost</b>, <b>Alice Ryley</b>, <b>Anna Hunter</b>, <b>Speed Dating Tonight!, A Royal Feast, RSBE</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In between</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Birthday Clown</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Minioperas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Leo</b>, <b>Dinner 4 3, Completing the Picture</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">School shows--all shows except A<b> Royal Feast</b> are S/A/T/B piano. Feast is larger. Thrivers is for teen <i>performers</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Three Pigs Remix</b>, <b>King of the Clouds</b>, <b>Out of the Rain</b>, <b>Completing the Picture, A Royal Feast, Thrivers</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-78361011811203084602023-04-24T16:57:00.003-05:002023-11-22T11:26:12.155-05:00Arrangements and Derangements<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpGcYC107c8GYDI6-EsfXIA2pfax9aLveLCC-Xx8vviaiLUhBPVtA2Z8ZgSA92iLN3qsExFtE4Q8AuugID_AVKxa2cCRyfud_KW8Znpu-DgjOHLN4-WzwHrOvsmEPqv-e8mcmTv0K--5pPqGTYehBY37pJK-bLSp8eRx_scuJpXlonWTeTnFg3u3g/s4080/PXL_20230423_155024757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpGcYC107c8GYDI6-EsfXIA2pfax9aLveLCC-Xx8vviaiLUhBPVtA2Z8ZgSA92iLN3qsExFtE4Q8AuugID_AVKxa2cCRyfud_KW8Znpu-DgjOHLN4-WzwHrOvsmEPqv-e8mcmTv0K--5pPqGTYehBY37pJK-bLSp8eRx_scuJpXlonWTeTnFg3u3g/s320/PXL_20230423_155024757.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-262f412c-7fff-55d3-3f37-ccc4562e658c"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EC Schirmer has just released my </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3661713330037197238/7836101181120308460#" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ARRANGEMENTS AND DERANGEMENTS</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a song cycle for soprano, cello, and piano based on five Schubert songs, including Nacht und Träume, Sei mir gegrüßt, Die Männer sind méchant, DIE Forelle! and Rastlose Liebe.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cycle was originally commissioned by Allison Charney and the ARK trio. Their recording of four </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of the songs is available from </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3661713330037197238/7836101181120308460#" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Navona</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can see the two "derangements." Sei mir gegrüßt...</span></p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #202124; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oQTSjD5RqRM" width="320" youtube-src-id="oQTSjD5RqRM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #202124; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f0ee6b1a-7fff-7422-5b17-11d82ded58f3"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and here is DIE Forelle!</span></span></div></span><span style="color: #202124;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oQTSjD5RqRM" width="320" youtube-src-id="oQTSjD5RqRM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other three are more respectful "arrangements."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right now these are available together or separately for soprano, but we are planning on making some of them available in other key ranges.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-37226514398643530902023-03-28T12:41:00.001-05:002023-03-28T12:41:33.538-05:00ALICE AND ANNA<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxA1Shc2xSGy1e6oJEDxkFxzamQhNAXN-0ykdx9gTQqQazWS2qYMpsCoZiQYfDcPnGjqtn4Jg3zF9Ey1BokfS9R5i83D-8x0ktNVSqJpbjm2Qi7w00U0JFW9yFKovD9w33SbWPtl36dA8o04HaOdraCNmzR2U4Jmw_kpI8ezUWBs8kqMTvOhgH_Zh/s1167/2022%20SVF%20Art%20ALICE%20AND%20ANNA%20w%20Titles_Page_1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1167" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxA1Shc2xSGy1e6oJEDxkFxzamQhNAXN-0ykdx9gTQqQazWS2qYMpsCoZiQYfDcPnGjqtn4Jg3zF9Ey1BokfS9R5i83D-8x0ktNVSqJpbjm2Qi7w00U0JFW9yFKovD9w33SbWPtl36dA8o04HaOdraCNmzR2U4Jmw_kpI8ezUWBs8kqMTvOhgH_Zh/s320/2022%20SVF%20Art%20ALICE%20AND%20ANNA%20w%20Titles_Page_1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />ALICE RYLEY (2015) and ANNA HUNTER (2017) are my two operas set in Savannah. Both were written while I was composer-in-residence at Savannah Voice Festival. Both of these pieces were workshopped and premiered separately and then performed together in 2022. They are now available separately or together. ALICE is over fifty minutes; ANNA is around 40. <p></p><p>Alice is a dark ghost story lifted from a few paragraphs from the annals of Georgia. An indentured Irish servant in the early days of the colony, she is accused of murdering her master. When they discover she is pregnant, they allow her to have her baby and then hang her a few weeks later. A guilty conscience is one of the reasons that we imagine ghosts, and that is the case for Savannah here. The legend is that if you encounter a young woman asking "Have you seen my baby?" that's Alice. </p><p>Anna Hunter is the story of how a group of women in Savannah kept the city from modernizing itself to the point of losing its historic character in the mid 20th century. After the demolition of the city market, Anna energizes a group to save the historic Davenport house. Anna is a comedy, as light as Alice is dark. </p><p>ALICE RYLEY (about 50 minutes)</p><p><a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/sets/alice-ryley-a-savannah-ghost-story-opera-by-michael-ching?si=c7223e4efc684b339b34549fb72c71cf&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing">Soundcloud Playlist</a> and <a href="https://od.lk/d/179071245_2bTC8/ALICE%20RYLEY%20Piano%20Vocal%20for%20SVF%202022%20WATERMARKED.pdf">Perusal score (Direct Download)</a></p><div>Tour guide, (speaking), Jailed Alice (M), Young Alice (S), Mary (M or S), A Sailor/Edward Canon/William Wise/The Recorder (T-can be divided), Richard White (B). Ensemble.</div><p>Orchestration: Flute, Drums, String Quintet, Piano. (There is also a Vln/Vc/Piano version)</p><p>ANNA HUNTER (about 40 minutes)</p><p><a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/sets/anna-hunter-august-2022-at-savannah-voice-festival?si=c7223e4efc684b339b34549fb72c71cf&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing">Soundcloud Playlist</a> and <a href="https://od.lk/d/178969988_b0K00/ANNA%20HUNTER%20complete%20pv%205%2022%20v1c%20Quortina%20High%20WATERMARK.pdf">Perusal score (Direct Download)</a></p><p>Anna (M or S), Louise (M), Mrs. Davenport (S), Mr. Davenport (T), Mr. Progress (B), Quortina (M or S, should be African American, separate keys available), Lucy (M), Jane (S or M), Kass (M or S), Ensemble. </p><p>Orchestration: Flute, Drums, String Quintet, Piano.</p><p>I'm very grateful for to Maria and Sherrill and SVF for commissioning these two operas! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-9950314353276596762023-03-21T10:19:00.000-05:002023-03-21T10:19:00.006-05:00Notes on Viardot, a work in progress.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yHqk4RWqN9I" width="320" youtube-src-id="yHqk4RWqN9I"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Characters, opening scene</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last month while I was in Miami doing GIANNI SCHICCHI and <a href="https://www.ecspublishing.com/buoso-s-ghost-michael-ching.html">BUOSO'S GHOST</a>, the Florida Grand Opera Studio read most of the first act of my work-in-progress, NOTES ON VIARDOT. NOTES is about the life of the great 19th century diva and composer, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Viardot">Pauline Viardot</a>. The opera is commissioned and will premiere at University of South Dakota-Vermillion in the Spring of 2024. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The youtube link is to the first scene "Characters." In it, an older Pauline recalls her first memories--being brought to the theater to watch her family perform. It is inspired by an interview and article in Le Gaulois in 1905. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In all, there are five videos linked together in a <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpcy_TA5_2dqYKGlOeq3ffwIhhf-CIs_6">playlist</a>. The <a href="https://youtu.be/wGqWN8O6CUw">second video</a> is about the family's misadventure in Mexico where they were held up by bandits on the way to Veracruz. The <a href="https://youtu.be/gDLNdgHWTnk">third video</a> is about her voice lessons with her father. The <a href="https://youtu.be/n84ullWm8lw">fourth</a> describes her debut in Brussels and her encounter with the critic Alfred de Musset. The <a href="https://youtu.be/N0aWdjBxyT0">final video</a> recalls her friendship with the novelist Georges Sand and her need to tour to circumvent Parisian rivals. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This first act is a tribute to singers who must navigate critics, patrons, and colleagues in every era. What's unusual about it is (I would say) is that the score quotes many works by Viardot and others as part of the storytelling. Not being subtle about those quotations seems like an important device to draw you in and to make you realize how important she was and is to the history of opera. The act will end with Pauline in Russia where she meets the great love of her life, Ivan Turgenev. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can also follow along with the <a href=" docs.google.com/document/d/1F0YyW…/edit?usp=sharing">libretto</a>, but since I've subtitled the videos, you probably don't have to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm grateful to the Florida Grand Opera and their studio artists for doing such a great job.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBVdHcHG-DHQSls5oDrbFUaig4dWFHeu2DLYqBjvUB9Xd8Hur6PBHI42HvuULDBklE1h_lntSW40xiXGJqDLBQuXmtbZi1oi1NSvyNDfUKzBEO_PFiZpqqdo8UhMZK0eFg7_vi462Do2b0SoBFGTUTyP9U34OfIMHA6iikbmfkSd8zNnBEKN8yqcd/s1537/Screenshot%202023-03-19%20224504.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1537" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBVdHcHG-DHQSls5oDrbFUaig4dWFHeu2DLYqBjvUB9Xd8Hur6PBHI42HvuULDBklE1h_lntSW40xiXGJqDLBQuXmtbZi1oi1NSvyNDfUKzBEO_PFiZpqqdo8UhMZK0eFg7_vi462Do2b0SoBFGTUTyP9U34OfIMHA6iikbmfkSd8zNnBEKN8yqcd/w421-h199/Screenshot%202023-03-19%20224504.png" width="421" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-56184639984519586402023-03-19T11:48:00.003-05:002023-03-19T21:44:37.017-05:00Dinner 4 3 (full info)<p>Last month, my short opera DINNER 4 3 got its first live performance in the US. Written with <a href="https://www.deborahbrevoort.com/">Deborah Brevoort</a>, the show is part of the <a href="https://www.decameronoperacoalition.org/dinner-4-3">Tales from a Safe Distance</a> project of the Decameron Opera Coalition. You can <a href="https://app.idagio.com/live/event/tales-from-a-safe-distance-episode-2-prompted-by-appetite">stream the opera on idagio</a>, but it's behind a paywall. The <a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/sets/dinner-4-3?si=dc70528b0918464983e4fcd4dc27fa95&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing">original audio</a> (and it is a really nice recording! of the version with two tenors) is available on soundcloud.</p><p>The cast for this under fifteen minute opera is:<span> Wife (M or S), Husband (T or B), and Lover (T). The Husband Versions have some different vocal lines. It is available with piano accompaniment, or with the original orchestration--violin, bassoon, piano, with optional sax and drums at the end. The plot, which is loosely based on a story from the Decameron, is simple--wife and husband have made arrangements to have a fling, with the same man. </span></p><p>Here's the direct download link for the <a href="https://od.lk/d/178984647_gZNAM/DINNER%204%203%20BARITONE%20VERSION%20for%20FM%20OPERA%202023%20PERUSAL.pdf">perusal score (baritone version)</a>.</p><p><span>Here is the archival video of the Fargo Moorhead opera production in February 2023.</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/872OtENVotU" width="320" youtube-src-id="872OtENVotU"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks also to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmJjVlJSiFR/?hl=en">L'arietta productions</a>, which did the opera live in Singapore in December of 2022. Thanks to FM Opera for commissioning the original version and then doing it live!.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you'd like to do DINNER 4 3, please contact me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-86400701494295592232023-03-10T10:14:00.001-05:002023-03-10T10:20:51.912-05:00David Hamilton<p>David Hamilton, my colleague, tenor, teacher, and Artistic and General Director of Fargo-Moorhead Opera, is retiring. I am so grateful to him for our many collaborations! He sang in productions in my Opera Memphis days and brought me to Fargo several times to conduct. Even more important for me, he worked with me consistently as a composer. Back in 2007, he put together a group to tour CORPS OF DISCOVERY, my opera with librettist Hugh Moffatt about the Lewis and Clark expedition. I distinctly remember a traffic jam in the Theodore Roosevelt national park caused by buffalo and a host on the Missouri river who suggested I sleep under the stars that night by the river. (I took his suggestion.)</p><p>More recently, FM Opera has done a couple of productions of SPEED DATING TONIGHT! and commissioned some new dates, including this one which is lifted from David's life. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MTV5Vn3e_yo" width="320" youtube-src-id="MTV5Vn3e_yo"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger, I have news from Speed Dating Tonight! starring Holly Janz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During the pandemic FM Opera participated in the <a href="https://www.decameronoperacoalition.org/">Decameron Opera Coalition</a>, a consortium of opera companies that produced short online projects, including <a href="https://www.decameronoperacoalition.org/dinner-4-3">Dinner 4 3</a> (written with Deborah Brevoort) and <a href="https://www.decameronoperacoalition.org/this-perfect-gift">This Perfect Gift</a> (written with Reg Huston). </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPsO2wNUc_4Yc7_QWkd8zmN3kdLXJu25IARODmirEityOQ_Dgz0SATqEMAEKxXU3y7IrxTYYihOMaQD6FvsrWpVPUySFrpe_PI1pYDYreeBdptd0l1qjI2DOJee4s5ISW9wfA4P4huPjFjbTQsXRW1v8IOlFs2n5zK3yq76GkCsXVsfF83Osh5yKj/s1600/David%20Hamilton%20and%20Shana%20Blake%20Hill.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPsO2wNUc_4Yc7_QWkd8zmN3kdLXJu25IARODmirEityOQ_Dgz0SATqEMAEKxXU3y7IrxTYYihOMaQD6FvsrWpVPUySFrpe_PI1pYDYreeBdptd0l1qjI2DOJee4s5ISW9wfA4P4huPjFjbTQsXRW1v8IOlFs2n5zK3yq76GkCsXVsfF83Osh5yKj/s320/David%20Hamilton%20and%20Shana%20Blake%20Hill.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">David with Shana Blake Hill at an FM Opera fundraiser at the old Sarello's restaurant.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28DvRm-8xTmQGNeA9Z9CnUfqLkJT6llI5wQJ5Jv6mJqtHGV7f0mGzoI7QQVTQJCXzGNyaTKvCpv6qKmbfMQdZFS-dHhzumSwqlWqO4At5rjpn3pv6ZgISaMYG52WlC3A3gM_E1JuAZ9ih2bsL6APoBXNh7ucQsiuT0RqcuRsDxRIwYHl2ZTSUEUHI/s1600/David%20Hamilton%20and%20Stella%20Zambalis.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28DvRm-8xTmQGNeA9Z9CnUfqLkJT6llI5wQJ5Jv6mJqtHGV7f0mGzoI7QQVTQJCXzGNyaTKvCpv6qKmbfMQdZFS-dHhzumSwqlWqO4At5rjpn3pv6ZgISaMYG52WlC3A3gM_E1JuAZ9ih2bsL6APoBXNh7ucQsiuT0RqcuRsDxRIwYHl2ZTSUEUHI/s320/David%20Hamilton%20and%20Stella%20Zambalis.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">David with Stella Zambalis during a production of Hansel and Gretel at FM Opera</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm about to go up to Fargo to conduct his last production at FM Opera, <a href="https://www.fmopera.org/la-boheme">LA BOHEME</a>. Running a regional opera company for 25 years is a <i><b>huge </b></i>accomplishment. The constant treadmill of fundraising is stressful. I can only imagine what it was like to keep a company afloat during the pandemic and divisive political environment of the past years. So Bravo to David and best wishes to David and Bernie in Fargo and beyond. </div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-643568856106936212023-02-13T19:10:00.001-05:002023-02-13T19:10:29.329-05:00Errata<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSipikUzn5Ou82Fj6GWga71YW9ThW2dkdjWGcn2Vqnby33Ak62NAFvdpGMe1ksiqHCr23Ea0C9oL1YKRGooHkvsPlTmk6oJe4re6-1xsv6dhVm8Kdt4tF73qakCQ8k1mnC4HJevjH_BXcpWuFI1sP0-el1FrKSkfshzjzVeC5LAwY99rCDJ_NTztNr/s1097/Errata%20spreadsheet%20shot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="1097" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSipikUzn5Ou82Fj6GWga71YW9ThW2dkdjWGcn2Vqnby33Ak62NAFvdpGMe1ksiqHCr23Ea0C9oL1YKRGooHkvsPlTmk6oJe4re6-1xsv6dhVm8Kdt4tF73qakCQ8k1mnC4HJevjH_BXcpWuFI1sP0-el1FrKSkfshzjzVeC5LAwY99rCDJ_NTztNr/s320/Errata%20spreadsheet%20shot.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been fortunate to conduct my opera BUOSO'S GHOST several times. The last time I got to do it, at OperaDelaware, was the first time since it was cleaned up and beautifully rereleased by EC Schirmer. Despite that, there's still an errata list of about 65 items after last week's Florida Grand Opera production. Fortunately, a good percentage of these are getting into cautionary accidentals and very small layout issues, and discrepancies with the piano vocal score. Still, I wouldn't be surprised that I still find some things the next time I do it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><br /><p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-47963808220756389532023-01-30T07:25:00.001-05:002023-01-30T07:25:15.611-05:00Always nice to get a good review...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAT9dSqc0fuwJFHGu1QOfw68NQO3sP0BH1KekWdK2_4nrPBMyUy6Ha1f5knFMb3Tp2mCr_gmLQyxLa2ZNDw9RbOMF4PhzPSEVVrb6D14A4En3jvCXdFN476cZ8CLvVeQ7ey8UJ3v3I9LnVi_BAtqc5Qv47kMvBryEt0UOIX002WNUrmLh2YSjoB6W/s842/Screenshot%202023-01-30%20072325.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAT9dSqc0fuwJFHGu1QOfw68NQO3sP0BH1KekWdK2_4nrPBMyUy6Ha1f5knFMb3Tp2mCr_gmLQyxLa2ZNDw9RbOMF4PhzPSEVVrb6D14A4En3jvCXdFN476cZ8CLvVeQ7ey8UJ3v3I9LnVi_BAtqc5Qv47kMvBryEt0UOIX002WNUrmLh2YSjoB6W/s320/Screenshot%202023-01-30%20072325.png" width="269" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By Larry Budman from <a href="https://southfloridaclassicalreview.com/2023/01/fgo-serves-up-a-delightful-evening-with-puccini-plus-comic-double-bill/">South Florida Classical Music Review</a></div><br /><p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-21348166983052475552023-01-28T10:46:00.000-05:002023-01-28T10:46:46.376-05:00Savannah Voice Festival interview on Instagram<p> Here's a link to an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn7LuGZtW0t/">Instagram interview</a> for Savannah Voice Festival about composing for voice. It was conducted by <a href="http://jorgeparodi.com/">Jorge Parodi</a>, SVF's artistic director, with me and fellow composer and Iowan, <a href="https://www.jodigoble.com/">Jodi Goble</a>. It's part of the Voices of the Festival interview series.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-18763088048706020372023-01-13T09:15:00.004-05:002023-01-13T09:55:33.276-05:00Buoso in Miami<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUrCBIVMTWmuD_S7yE01D1lHsuvCq9SGvCg0SxZce8cHgnlkx_4GoxmKp0rL_meYvOohY7eArTtY_lgUv11QBYP_Vr-r7wTWqqA4KhryGQGouMcfDvNa9rVTcFf4gXUKQGLpJbru4LkRuTuWii1OGbZ1UB8K10MkxoiUMUxkg0DsQbnAFK7dEOz17/s3051/Cast%20Banner%20at%20Florida%20Grand%20Opera.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="3051" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUrCBIVMTWmuD_S7yE01D1lHsuvCq9SGvCg0SxZce8cHgnlkx_4GoxmKp0rL_meYvOohY7eArTtY_lgUv11QBYP_Vr-r7wTWqqA4KhryGQGouMcfDvNa9rVTcFf4gXUKQGLpJbru4LkRuTuWii1OGbZ1UB8K10MkxoiUMUxkg0DsQbnAFK7dEOz17/w454-h203/Cast%20Banner%20at%20Florida%20Grand%20Opera.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's thrilling to be in Miami to work on GIANNI SCHICCHI and BUOSO'S GHOST. Here's a promo shot of the cast. Photo by Eric Joannes.</div><br /> <p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-65614725156253837942022-12-21T10:23:00.000-05:002022-12-21T10:23:06.385-05:00BUOSO'S GHOST at Florida Grand Opera<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYpXHo3oVToPfxglWP9CQUM_gRA2M43UGs2KQMbIWVGaU4Gje-oCZJNOxdgwfEHwH-nbO0TaGnEdzKIFxxoQJcLgpHRwMlkNAB2msfwtNGBihT3BOOKBb5k2XgfhbH_Y_6b0fwC4uMtt5pqK1IkMbthnMgsnmtKjlJcNvpi1qtN5HVsTo41X1AH4h/s960/321119656_3354946524755669_7905271299035500137_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="960" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYpXHo3oVToPfxglWP9CQUM_gRA2M43UGs2KQMbIWVGaU4Gje-oCZJNOxdgwfEHwH-nbO0TaGnEdzKIFxxoQJcLgpHRwMlkNAB2msfwtNGBihT3BOOKBb5k2XgfhbH_Y_6b0fwC4uMtt5pqK1IkMbthnMgsnmtKjlJcNvpi1qtN5HVsTo41X1AH4h/s320/321119656_3354946524755669_7905271299035500137_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Very excited to be going to <a href="https://tickets.fgo.org/Tickets/EventDetails.aspx?id=2207">Florida Grand Opera in January 2023 for GIANNI SCHICCHI and BUOSO'S GHOST</a>. My first job was there back in the '80s. It was called Greater Miami Opera Association back then. I'll have more to say about it once I'm there. </div><br /> <p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-16648206589825594632022-12-14T08:30:00.001-05:002022-12-14T08:30:34.601-05:00Dinner 4 3 in Singapore<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbLPCKJcFC_1EwHRxcn1PjzEruUF4fafs5Z50yp8hqTUcDRS38aO0p4R6Zh6nTSg7mQE2oKdbi_BbtFFhxhhp-iXr7bjRQ-7qE6ojtNUDUJkQnhIGz0jbXuZbQH2AjnRIxSFQ_RBbzRZ2ogy5_VcuEECWEhTV-eBACyBytFkXMRty6GU7YGOpacoE/s720/Dinner%204%203%20in%20Singapore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbLPCKJcFC_1EwHRxcn1PjzEruUF4fafs5Z50yp8hqTUcDRS38aO0p4R6Zh6nTSg7mQE2oKdbi_BbtFFhxhhp-iXr7bjRQ-7qE6ojtNUDUJkQnhIGz0jbXuZbQH2AjnRIxSFQ_RBbzRZ2ogy5_VcuEECWEhTV-eBACyBytFkXMRty6GU7YGOpacoE/s320/Dinner%204%203%20in%20Singapore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to<a href="http://www.lariettasg.com/"> L'arietta Productions</a> for doing DINNER 4 3 last month in Singapore. It was the first live production. DINNER 4 3 was first produced by Fargo Moorhead Opera as part of the Decameron Opera Coalition's first year project, <a href="https://www.decameronoperacoalition.org/tales-from-a-safe-distance">TALES AT A SAFE DISTANCE</a>. You can still see it online. D 4 3 was co-written with <a href="https://www.deborahbrevoort.com/">Deborah Brevoort.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to Reuben Lai at L'arietta for giving it a go! </div><br /> <p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-21591147423260431762022-12-01T12:46:00.003-05:002022-12-01T12:52:13.578-05:00Another working photo from Bill Byrd<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33-XfzHauGdISqr6iyHUNqMRyKzvS47WicxZSA_lE80yP5t-QPGHbATyuiJmirOgUIbtADWnXZ5gOPvtmURlHf9PI96SvMTI8e9dcF1jOgPGZG3WwLyLe98fn7XjGYHsHv-uQBPNTEVOb5cb_vmTqU0a510ALnd1jVmERxgM64CPCEGbGgstZTWrG/s5839/Another%20conducting%20photo%20from%20Bill%20Byrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5839" data-original-width="4821" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33-XfzHauGdISqr6iyHUNqMRyKzvS47WicxZSA_lE80yP5t-QPGHbATyuiJmirOgUIbtADWnXZ5gOPvtmURlHf9PI96SvMTI8e9dcF1jOgPGZG3WwLyLe98fn7XjGYHsHv-uQBPNTEVOb5cb_vmTqU0a510ALnd1jVmERxgM64CPCEGbGgstZTWrG/w330-h400/Another%20conducting%20photo%20from%20Bill%20Byrd.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't have a lot of working photos. My friend (and longtime Amarillo Opera host) Bill Byrd is a talented photographer and I'm fortunate in being able to convince him to come to dress rehearsals to take photos. He took this at last fall's BARBER OF SEVILLE dress rehearsal and then toned down the keyboard I was using for recitatives which was all covered in brightly colored post-it notes. Thanks Bill! </div><p></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><p></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p><br /> </p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-14116829743601786692022-11-30T14:27:00.002-05:002022-11-30T14:28:28.301-05:00Chorus Rehearsal mp3s of Act II of LA BOHEME<p> This post is strictly for folks in the business, so if you are looking to see what's up in my life, pass on by! </p><p>For the upcoming 2023 production of LA BOHEME at Fargo Moorhead Opera, I have made rehearsal mp3s for the chorus. They are available for anyone to use at <a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-ching-3/tracks">my soundcloud site.</a> They don't include 100% of the chorus bits, but all of the major ones. Once you get to the soundcloud site, you'll want to hit the playlist tabs. There are usually six mp3s in each set--children, soprano, alto, tenor, bass, and tutti.</p><p>Of particular interest will be decisions I made at the beginning of the act and the end of it. The original has all sorts of sub groups of singers, with a large chorus creating the hustle and bustle of Paris at Christmastime. Most regional opera companies will do this same act with, maybe 30 choristers, and dividing the half dozen baritones and basses, for example, really will just thin them out too much. So the idea has always been to have folks sing as much as possible, call and response, antiphony be damned. </p><p>One of the other challenges is the children's chorus. Traditionally, some of the female singers are assigned to double them. This has been worked into what's been done here so it can be learned in advance and with assurance. </p><p>So if you are interested and in need, feel free to use these files at the soundcloud site AND download the pdf files for the opening and closing of the act.</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1htpPcuNQ6J1GvQIPg2Caq9MINm4ab6MI/view?usp=share_link">Opening of Act II pdf</a> </p><p>Closing <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QFqr8e3J5gV7sGPIOuqojxKRFCBEq0ND/view?usp=share_link">of Act II pdf</a></p><p>If you end up using these, I'd appreciate an email. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-59067135492553042132022-11-22T08:59:00.005-05:002022-12-01T12:50:53.801-05:00DINNER 4 3, live<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFumCSLAYrm8qKufzMpbhr_BdCQblndSnQkKEJs7Wygus_MrVOrPL42SW-iQnCVRPiMrZUyFts8e-onIZwpPomJZNHmCOplFho5pcQTyh31JnVAJ7XXQRsrIYs8l1FH2iMiX1NSuSG9fo80EB7H_3H9ADz8MBXnlPqBU9UJRooINMzvLxepo4AjmE/s1200/insincerely-yours-lusts-lies-and-longing-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFumCSLAYrm8qKufzMpbhr_BdCQblndSnQkKEJs7Wygus_MrVOrPL42SW-iQnCVRPiMrZUyFts8e-onIZwpPomJZNHmCOplFho5pcQTyh31JnVAJ7XXQRsrIYs8l1FH2iMiX1NSuSG9fo80EB7H_3H9ADz8MBXnlPqBU9UJRooINMzvLxepo4AjmE/s320/insincerely-yours-lusts-lies-and-longing-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAVjpBh2DhPA-HBogKw3aydfHmt4UCc3EP1tHdtQ_layuTAaYI9nraRHksne1wFdwlaMp0bIYB_IPLNudXrCP9PeScoqJTzw0W-p6MsV3IbZxrtq6eEOj-g0D5RRbnb3kC7hJAPjhJ6bwcPcGlRIy3kdU-EAuFywHl4og2QmwPQMGlW4rq78CBa-j/s1080/Dinner%204%203%20graphic%20from%20L'arietta%20productions%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAVjpBh2DhPA-HBogKw3aydfHmt4UCc3EP1tHdtQ_layuTAaYI9nraRHksne1wFdwlaMp0bIYB_IPLNudXrCP9PeScoqJTzw0W-p6MsV3IbZxrtq6eEOj-g0D5RRbnb3kC7hJAPjhJ6bwcPcGlRIy3kdU-EAuFywHl4og2QmwPQMGlW4rq78CBa-j/s320/Dinner%204%203%20graphic%20from%20L'arietta%20productions%202022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DINNER 4 3, my mini opera with librettist Deborah Brevoort, plays <a href="https://www.esplanade.com/whats-on/festivals-and-series/festivals/2022/voices-a-festival-of-song/events/insincerely-yours-lusts-lies-and-longing">in Singapore on December third.</a> It plays with Tony Solitro's SHE'S FABULOUS and Samuel Barber's HAND OF BRIDGE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Commissioned by Fargo Moorhead opera as <a href="https://www.decameronoperacoalition.org/dinner-4-3">part of the Decameron Opera Coalition</a>, DINNER 4 3 premiered online during the pandemic. This will be its first live production, which will be followed by a live version in Fargo later this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks L'arietta productions!</div><br /><p></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661713330037197238.post-70709362417172744552022-10-09T09:39:00.000-05:002022-10-09T09:39:57.840-05:00Amarillo<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiTmdcMbp04V5PgbbanG3Y_52FgdoIbroozp-FvU2Q3OmsAkLfHrUX7pHK6cSxu0u7Bf-0mQ17LCDwkOwkTBOO7brU20mIU9huLnhxz4dZ8JHTm9Wf42Yx4TI3hcgOQNeO6IXwW0X-nPBmMUSGvDqX2LP8maF0K67IxTlA8zs3o8D71Ac7l4wqpKA/s8256/Barber%20Wednesday%20Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="8256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiTmdcMbp04V5PgbbanG3Y_52FgdoIbroozp-FvU2Q3OmsAkLfHrUX7pHK6cSxu0u7Bf-0mQ17LCDwkOwkTBOO7brU20mIU9huLnhxz4dZ8JHTm9Wf42Yx4TI3hcgOQNeO6IXwW0X-nPBmMUSGvDqX2LP8maF0K67IxTlA8zs3o8D71Ac7l4wqpKA/s320/Barber%20Wednesday%20Picture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Just had a great time doing BARBER OF SEVILLE in Amarillo. The cast (pictured: Ashley Dixon, Andrew Brown, Federico de Michelis, Carlos Santelli, and Tim Mix) was terrific--they sang out in rehearsal practically all the time and were such fun onstage. The production, by Fenlon Lamb, was just right for Amarillo--inventive, lighthearted, and very streamlined. I am envisioning this as my sixth and last BARBER. My conducting is mostly a process of "stealing from the best" and after six productions I think I've learned lots of lessons from it. <br /> <p></p><p>An additional bonus is that I got some nice action photos from my longtime host, Bill Byrd. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhie-hAWepAX6fw-L_HdIlLWfsHgHNSJwbhXG9zOmkgvRJUZhifdwk4UAzhxB6ZzolVxTU7nI0FJW1TWRYb0CxqndJGYb6Z5el6BaepOOgv6Pg69WL459VkgtpM52OW35PKaAYfSDTd94DEBPsc7UGEqHvoO8aWrgl_YR06jt-2I30Iki-lhpZv1O/s8280/Copy%20of%20Bill%20Byrd's%20Barber%20photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8280" data-original-width="5520" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhie-hAWepAX6fw-L_HdIlLWfsHgHNSJwbhXG9zOmkgvRJUZhifdwk4UAzhxB6ZzolVxTU7nI0FJW1TWRYb0CxqndJGYb6Z5el6BaepOOgv6Pg69WL459VkgtpM52OW35PKaAYfSDTd94DEBPsc7UGEqHvoO8aWrgl_YR06jt-2I30Iki-lhpZv1O/s320/Copy%20of%20Bill%20Byrd's%20Barber%20photo.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Michael Chinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547590256773766816noreply@blogger.com0