Dear Friends,
I'll be singing the Tenor Solo with the Putnam Chorale in their performance of Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 3 p.m.
This past May I sang the tenor solo in Orff's Carmina Burana. You can hear it on my facebook page. It is the track "Olim lacus colueram."
Hope to see you there!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
"Go out on a limb, that's where the fruit is."
For the last year, I kicked around ideas about my blog and my work as a singer. I tend to stew on these ideas for awhile and look into a bunch of options. Pretty soon, something interesting rises to the surface. In this case, I applied and was approved to start a KickStarter Grant.
When this grant is fully funded, it will fund a new feature on this blog, "The Song of the Month Club." I will post one art song every month for year starting in January 2012. I will also post an accompanying podcast that will translate the song if it is in a different language, talk about its history and musical importance and tell the story of my personal connection to the work.
I will be working with some very talented colleagues to produce these podcasts and recordings and, if you help support this grant, I have devised some cool "incentives." Hat tip to NPR for their euphemism.
Oh, and the quote is from Will Rogers (via Ann Baltz).
Thank you for your support and see you Tenor Eleven Miles Away.
When this grant is fully funded, it will fund a new feature on this blog, "The Song of the Month Club." I will post one art song every month for year starting in January 2012. I will also post an accompanying podcast that will translate the song if it is in a different language, talk about its history and musical importance and tell the story of my personal connection to the work.
I will be working with some very talented colleagues to produce these podcasts and recordings and, if you help support this grant, I have devised some cool "incentives." Hat tip to NPR for their euphemism.
Oh, and the quote is from Will Rogers (via Ann Baltz).
Thank you for your support and see you Tenor Eleven Miles Away.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Surprising and Delightful
Despite a brief evacuation for Hurricane Irene, I must say, things have been a little quiet around New York City. The opera world is in "hurry up and wait mode"-- auditions are around the corner and I'm waiting to hear back on a ton of old auditions.
In the meantime, imagine my surprise when my wife returned from a quick run out to Chinatown with a new (and now favorite) cheap treat, Kam Man's Stewed Wheat Gluten Kao-foo Five Spice. It tastes much much better than the name might make you think.
Why was this so special? I have been in quite a rut lately. I go to Prosperity for dumplings, Banh Mi Saigon for Vietnamese Sandwiches and Fay Da for pastries. I know, tough life. It took a new treat to realize that I've been getting a little predictable.
In the meantime, imagine my surprise when my wife returned from a quick run out to Chinatown with a new (and now favorite) cheap treat, Kam Man's Stewed Wheat Gluten Kao-foo Five Spice. It tastes much much better than the name might make you think.
Why was this so special? I have been in quite a rut lately. I go to Prosperity for dumplings, Banh Mi Saigon for Vietnamese Sandwiches and Fay Da for pastries. I know, tough life. It took a new treat to realize that I've been getting a little predictable.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Tenor Eleven Miles Away 1.1- Keith Miller Interview
It may have taken one full year, but I finally managed to learn enough about the program "Audacity" to cut together my very first episode of Tenor Eleven Miles Away, The Podcast.
Recorded during the summer of 2010 while singing with Opera Fairbanks in their production of Don Giovanni, I had the chance to interview Keith Miller, the star of the show. Keith started out playing in the NFL and, at the time of this interview, he was singing the title role of our show. He'll explain his path from the gridiron to the stage and talk a bit about some of his other projects.
The theme music of this show was graciously allowed by Opera Fairbanks. It is the overture to our production performed live by the Opera Fairbanks Orchestra, conducted by Gregory Buchalter.
Recorded during the summer of 2010 while singing with Opera Fairbanks in their production of Don Giovanni, I had the chance to interview Keith Miller, the star of the show. Keith started out playing in the NFL and, at the time of this interview, he was singing the title role of our show. He'll explain his path from the gridiron to the stage and talk a bit about some of his other projects.
The theme music of this show was graciously allowed by Opera Fairbanks. It is the overture to our production performed live by the Opera Fairbanks Orchestra, conducted by Gregory Buchalter.
Small Bites. Chew Slowly.
After a glorious two-week vacation from the blog, I am happy to report that we are going to start a new project here.
Shortly after this "? of the Week" posts, I will be posting my very first podcast. It is an interview with Keith Miller, the star of last year's production of Don Giovanni with Opera Fairbanks.
It is hard to believe that a year has passed since I did the interview. When I began this idea, I had grand designs. I planned on being the next "This American Life" or "Radio Lab". I now have a far greater appreciation for the artistry that goes into making those types of shows. Learning how to edit was challenging. I still can't fix the pops and the crackles and mouse clicks, but I think I have some strategies for improvements in mind for episode two.
So what does that mean for our "? of the Week"? I suppose it is the realization that when I decide to try something new like a podcast, I should not try to do a big grand podcast with a story in three acts. Rather, I should start things off small, learn lessons along the way, and maybe someday it will be something of true artistry.
Hold on a second, this sounds vaguely like how I approach my opera career.
I hope you enjoy the podcast. I value your comments and feedback and any ideas that you might have for future episodes.
Shortly after this "? of the Week" posts, I will be posting my very first podcast. It is an interview with Keith Miller, the star of last year's production of Don Giovanni with Opera Fairbanks.
It is hard to believe that a year has passed since I did the interview. When I began this idea, I had grand designs. I planned on being the next "This American Life" or "Radio Lab". I now have a far greater appreciation for the artistry that goes into making those types of shows. Learning how to edit was challenging. I still can't fix the pops and the crackles and mouse clicks, but I think I have some strategies for improvements in mind for episode two.
So what does that mean for our "? of the Week"? I suppose it is the realization that when I decide to try something new like a podcast, I should not try to do a big grand podcast with a story in three acts. Rather, I should start things off small, learn lessons along the way, and maybe someday it will be something of true artistry.
Hold on a second, this sounds vaguely like how I approach my opera career.
I hope you enjoy the podcast. I value your comments and feedback and any ideas that you might have for future episodes.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Wii are never bored here.
The Nintendo Wii, your "? of the Week for July 17, 2011.*
Ah, the poor Wii, derided by hard-core gamers and beloved by moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas and bowlers around the world.
I've already outed myself as a bit of a geek and, to be honest, I have not played my Wii for almost a year. For the past three weeks, though, the Wii has been the most important piece of technology in my life.
I brought the console all the way to Alaska for a couple of reasons. It is incredibly small and there aren't a lot of wires. I have used it to catch up on my Netflix queue- watching mystery series and occasionally playing video games.** Another advantage is that it can easily plug into older TV sets and so it is a great option when you don't know what kind of place you are going to stay at and you need maximum flexibility.
During the run of the show there are parts of the day that are free from singing or press-related activities. Last year in Fairbanks, I had the chance to do a lot of exploring with my family. I still had the opportunity to explore some new spots in Fairbanks, meet interesting people and socialize with my castmates but I decided that due to the size and scope of the role, I should use my off-time in ways that would not tax my voice in any way. The Wii has been a fantastic way to give my mind a break between a busy rehearsal schedule.
What is your frivolous piece of technology that you enjoy while on the road?
*You will be seeing some changes in the format of the "? of the Week." I got some great feedback that the titles were kind of... well... boring. I'll still tag my weekly posts appropriately, but from now on, I'll try to come up with a catchy title. Please don't hesitate to post feedback here or on facebook. I would love to hear from you.
** Games included: Super Mario Bros. 3, River City Ransom, Bit.Trip.Void, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Ah, the poor Wii, derided by hard-core gamers and beloved by moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas and bowlers around the world.
I've already outed myself as a bit of a geek and, to be honest, I have not played my Wii for almost a year. For the past three weeks, though, the Wii has been the most important piece of technology in my life.
I brought the console all the way to Alaska for a couple of reasons. It is incredibly small and there aren't a lot of wires. I have used it to catch up on my Netflix queue- watching mystery series and occasionally playing video games.** Another advantage is that it can easily plug into older TV sets and so it is a great option when you don't know what kind of place you are going to stay at and you need maximum flexibility.
During the run of the show there are parts of the day that are free from singing or press-related activities. Last year in Fairbanks, I had the chance to do a lot of exploring with my family. I still had the opportunity to explore some new spots in Fairbanks, meet interesting people and socialize with my castmates but I decided that due to the size and scope of the role, I should use my off-time in ways that would not tax my voice in any way. The Wii has been a fantastic way to give my mind a break between a busy rehearsal schedule.
What is your frivolous piece of technology that you enjoy while on the road?
*You will be seeing some changes in the format of the "? of the Week." I got some great feedback that the titles were kind of... well... boring. I'll still tag my weekly posts appropriately, but from now on, I'll try to come up with a catchy title. Please don't hesitate to post feedback here or on facebook. I would love to hear from you.
** Games included: Super Mario Bros. 3, River City Ransom, Bit.Trip.Void, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
? of the Week- July 10, 2011
Rehearsals.
There is more to life than just performing. Take this past week, for example: I spent almost every single day working with a small, talented group of cast mates and directors to refine and perfect our upcoming performance of The Elixir of Love.
I cannot help but feel, with all the distractions of interviews, press, Facebook Fan Pages and the internet publicity, that I risk losing track of what makes this job so memorable and rewarding. The show is only a culmination of weeks of work, collaboration and learning.
Today I want to take a moment to acknowledge the fun and challenge of the rehearsals. It is that process of focused effort, which leads to learning and growing, both as a singer and as a team of actors, that gives me the opportunity to enjoy a performance and this career.
There is more to life than just performing. Take this past week, for example: I spent almost every single day working with a small, talented group of cast mates and directors to refine and perfect our upcoming performance of The Elixir of Love.
I cannot help but feel, with all the distractions of interviews, press, Facebook Fan Pages and the internet publicity, that I risk losing track of what makes this job so memorable and rewarding. The show is only a culmination of weeks of work, collaboration and learning.
Today I want to take a moment to acknowledge the fun and challenge of the rehearsals. It is that process of focused effort, which leads to learning and growing, both as a singer and as a team of actors, that gives me the opportunity to enjoy a performance and this career.
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