Chorus Cabaret

This past weekend, our chorus presented a concert featuring opera and musical theatre choruses, ensembles and solos. It was a spirited evening, complete with some fun reminiscences from some of our veterans. The event raised over $4000 which was great for this economy.

Father Grumble, folk song

Down the right side of this blog site, I am gradually posting pdfs of concert arrangements of folk songs, spirituals and some original songs. The latest is father grumble, which has an interesting feminist twist:

"There was an old man who lived in the woods
As you could plainly see,
Who thought he could do more work in a day
Than his wife could do in three..."

She turns out to set him straight.

Opera Memphis' Songwriting Music Videos

I encourage you to go over to the Opera Memphis website and check out the music videos of some of the songs created over the past few years by Opera Memphis' Songwriting/Music Video program. Most songs are created by Memphis City School students with our two clinicians, Chuck Parr and Shelby Johnson. These two guys are incredibly nuanced and able to listen to the students and draw their ideas out. The program is supported by ArtsMemphis.

Exploring the countertenor 2

Continuing the interview with countertenor Nicholas Tamagna, I asked him what the audience reaction has been to him--normal looking guy with a powerful and very high voice.

Exploring the countertenor 1

Countertenor, Nicholas Tamagna, is making his debut at Opera Memphis as Orfeo in our January 2010 production of ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. (I'm not incredibly happy about the audio quality recorded over the phone, so I' ve got some short clips.) One of the questions I asked him is "What is the difference between falsetto and head voice?"



Tamagna has a powerful sound--not a wimpy one. I felt this was important for the Memphis audience's first experience with a countertenor. It turns out that Tamagna trained as a high baritone and he thinks that helped fill out his sound.

Opera Memphis house concerts

We are having a series of "house concerts" this year to promote interest in the opera. It's a non-threatening way to expose folks to operatic singing. Last night's program was at the historic home owned by Jim Carson. This program was sung for us by two very promising singers, Natalie Bergeron, soprano, and Galina Ivannikova, mezzo soprano.

Debate: "Night at the Opera"

I suppose it was only a matter of time before the debate at the Opera was compared to the Marx Brothers Movie. There certainly was a colorful cast of characters. I've always believed that although opera has some weird associations--the Marx Brothers, the fat lady singing--at least it has some. Strange stereotypes are better than none at all.

Mayoral Debate at Opera Memphis

For the night, the opera's headquarters was the focus of Memphis as nine mayoral candidates debated. There were a few protesters outside encouraging the candidates to focus on the issues. For those who aren't from Memphis, the cast of characters included a strange perennial candidate, Robert "Prince Mongo" Hodges, who looked liked he walked off the set of some voodoo Samson et Dalila. His ranting did not detract from the seriousness of the debate as we move from the long reign of mayor Willie Herenton, whose administration started out so promisingly and ended in unpredictable strangeness.

Mayoral Debate tonight

The preparations are underway for the Memphis mayoral debate tonight. TV cameras, sound guys, candidates, WMC folks, League of Women Voters, policemen and protesters!

Are symphonies glorified cover bands?

An interesting post related to the Honolulu Symphony's struggle to survive. While the accusation that a symphony is nothing but a glorified cover band isn't fair, it does make you wish they had a more regular commitment to new music. (Opera companies are no better, mind you.) Thanks to Honolulu Symphony member and friend, clarinetist Norm Forster for pointing this out.