Keith Irvine.
To those of you who are new to this blog, you might wonder why I might have an interior decorator as my "? of the Week." The story ends with the "Carmina Burana" which I sang two weeks ago on Saturday with the Putnam Chorale. It was my first time singing the tenor solo for the piece. There is only one aria that I sing in "Carmina," but it contains 3 high c's and 3 high d's. It is a tenor dream to sing high notes like that in such a fine production-- complete with a full orchestra, three choirs and a ballet group. I'll post video as soon as I receive it.
Saturday's show was led by Doug Anderson. I sang Belmonte in concerts of Mozart's "Die Entfuehrung aus dem Serail" and Ramiro in Rossini's "La Cenerentola." I also was his tenor soloist for a Messiah a number of years back.
Doug and I met in a very grand ballroom up in Putnam County. That ballroom was built by Keith Irvine as an addition to his farm house. We met following a recital that I sang for Keith's friends and family.
Which brings my to the beginning of the story. When I first arrived in New York City after singing at Opera Colorado, I went to a temp agency to find a day job. The first job they sent me to was for a boutique decoration company called "Irvine and Fleming." I walked into the office which had red laquer walls and the most fantastic antique Chinese screen that I had ever seen. I learned later that I did my interview sitting in a Regency chair.
A few moments later, a short Scottsman walked up the stairs. Keith Irvine. He and his business partner, Tom Fleming, then proceeded to ask me questions about my experience and my background. They hired me. For the next year I learned about wall coverings, carpets, colors, antiques and how to put a room together. Mr. Irvine would occasionally curse but mostly sing old show tunes as he wandered around the office, pulling together a couch here and a set of curtains there. Mr. Irvine was known for his truly bold use of colors and for his skill at making a beautiful, comfortable home that spared no expense. All of this was new to me and I have gained an appreciation for what makes a beautiful object beautiful. Mr. Irvine introduced my wife and I to incredible people such as his wife Chippy, the most energetic, spritied and tuneful almost 80-year old I have ever met. Through his friendship I have been exposed to experiences that would have never imagined. I performed in a Masque at the Rainbow Room. I went to a house on Fisher's Island. I learned what a McKim, Mead, White house was and how to accentuate the flow of the house with antique wallpaper.
There are moments when I ask myself, why on earth could this be useful to an opera singer. I don't have much of an answer at this point. Perhaps someday I will direct or produce an opera. Perhaps I will have enough scratch to decorate my home in a truly beautiful way. I don't know. I just know that Mr. Irvine made me a more complete person because I can now appreciate the world in a new way.
P.S. Sorry for the break. I was busy with the Carmina and a bunch of auditions.
P.S.S. Check out this wonderfully frank interview with Keith & Chippy Irvine. There are photos of his last office before he retired. I helped move him into it before I left to sing opera.
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