UNC Opera Theatre Journal
This summer UNC Assistant Professor of Voice William Wilson and Director of Opera Theatre Brian Luedloff lead 26 students on a tour of Germany and Spain, performing three operas in six unique venues. The students perform chorus and comprimari (secondary) roles with professional singers (like Metropolitan Opera star Edoardo Villa) and great orchestras (like the Frankfurt Philharmonic) in spectacular outdoor venues (like the castle at Schloss Braunfels, Germany). In addition they receive masterclasses with singers, conductors and directors, perform in concerts of opera scenes and arias, and may have opportunities to audition for European agents.
Romana Vaccaro masterclass & Tosca rehearsal
July 18th, 2007 by operatheatre
Several students had the privilege of singing for soprano and teach Romana Vaccaro today; working in a different style than a traditional masterclass as we might have it in the US, Frau Vaccaro worked for 10 minutes or so with each student, garnering amazing results in a short amount of time. Her work was primarily with breath, and her admonishment to each student “piano!” (to learn to sing softly). We were all grateful as Frau Vaccaro was taking time out of a day in which she already had scheduled two rehearsals to sing the role of Tosca.
The chorus had a rehearsal with orchestra today for our next production: Tosca. I’m happy to once again report that our students earned accolades from the conductor, who opined (and I paraphrase, in translation, here) that they were the best opera chorus he’s ever had. We also have several singers in solo roles in this production: tenors Christopher Puckett and Dennis Tamblyn as Spoletta, baritone Randy White as Sciarrone, baritone Ryan Parker as the Jailer, and sopranos Kristen Robinson and Kate Bautch as the Shepherd. In the photo below, the company of Tosca rehearses with the orchestra in the beautiful Kurhaus in Bad Schwalbach, which will be the venue for our concerts of opera scenes and arias at the end of our stay.
We’ve uploaded another video clip to YouTube for a goose-bump inducing taste of this rehearsal!
BCL
Blog break
July 18th, 2007 by operatheatre
As we take the next few days to travel to Spain, and we try to work out a few things with the blog, we’ll be down for a few days. I hope to make an entry about our performances in Spain soon.
Brian Clay Luedloff, Director of Opera Theatre
Otello photo update
July 17th, 2007 by operatheatre
Student Kathleen Cummings submitted several wonderful photos, including ones taken during the day-trip to Wiesbaden. My favorite was this photo taken “backstage” at the castle as the chorus waits for an entrance in Otello. It captures some of the beauty and excitement of the experience from the performers perspective! Brava, Kathleen!
Masterclass & Wine Festival
July 17th, 2007 by operatheatre
16 July
It was a light day but a full evening, with our students singing at the Bad Schwalbach Wine Festival and then participating in a masterclass with soprano Margaret Rose Koenn and tenor Garrie Davislim of the operahouse at Coburg, where Professor William Wilson sang for many seasons. Producer Michael Vaccaro and many of the artists of Otello and Madama Butterfly attended the masterclass and complimented the superior performance and preparation of our students. The masterclass was an all-soprano event, featuring Kate Bautch, Kristen Robinson, Rose Sawvel, Rachel Smith and Nicole Burbridge, accompanied by Chia-Chen Chang, Katilyn Rittner and Hannah Baker.
A key component of our program here is the participation of students from the UNC Collaborative Piano program, Katilyn Rittner, Chia-Chen Chang and Hannah Baker. The “three ladies” play for these masterclasses, will accompany two programs of opera scenes and arias, and will accompany some of the staging rehearsals for Tosca.
Our other big event of the evening was the Wine Festival at Bad Schwalbach, where we appeared as guests of the Burgmeister (Mayor). Soprano Kristen Robinson sang an aria from Le nozze di Figaro, and the whole company sang the Libiamo from Act I of of La Traviata, led by tenor Dennis Tamblyn and soprano Jimin Lee.
The Burgmeister has invited our students for a swim in the large public pool here in Bad Schwalbach today, after which they will be resting up for their first Tosca rehearsal this evening!
BCL
Otello performance #2
July 16th, 2007 by operatheatre
16 July
The staff at Schloss Braunfels has been very gracious to us, helping us out at every turn and, before last night’s performance, giving us an English language tour of the castle. Photographs were not allowed inside, but from atop one of the castle towers, the view went on for days:
The village of Braunfels is a little medieval village that lies just below the castle; walking the cobble-stone streets one felt completely removed from the restraints of time, as if Shakespeare might, at any moment, walk up alongside you. Had he traveled to Germany…
As for the performance, it was another triumph with a slightly smaller (but only slightly) yet enthusiastic audience. Below, tenor Dennis Tamblyn (Roderigo) leads the company in a triumphal chorus celebrating Otello’s great victory.
The chorus got to see a great deal of the castle indeed, singing different scenes from different parts of the courtyard.
Here’s the company in their final bows with principal artists, including (from left to right) Nathan Hickle (the Herald), Professor William Wilson (Montano), Dennis Tamblyn (Roderigo) and Joe Massman (Lodovico).
We have a short video clip of the chorus of Otello performing on YouTube. Copy and paste the following URL into your browser (and now that I know how to do this, I’ll try to get a few more!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrnTQ7lcZPA&playnext=1
Today we have a little downtime; Edoardo Villa has invited the students to swim at the hotel pool, then we sing at the local wine festival at 5:00 and have another masterclass at 7:00.
BCL
Otello premiere
July 15th, 2007 by operatheatre
The premiere of Otello came off as only live opera can: with many challenges and many triumphs. We were warmly welcomed in the opening speeches by Michael Vacarro, our producer, and the Count, whose family has inhabited the castle for more than 800 years. An injured Edoardo Villa made a few adjustments to his staging, few of which affected our chorus, but kept everyone on their toes (literally)! There were many surprises through the evening: the chorus locked out of one part of the castle necessary to get to their next entrance; an intermission dinner in a quiet, private part of the castle with a stunning view of the sunset; and bows which never quite got rehearsed. It was also a family affair for Nicole Burbridge, with her mother and a few of her friends in attendance.
We have a light day today so that everyone can rest for tonight’s performance; we’ll go to the castle a little early as we’ve been promised an English language tour of the castle a few hours before the performance. Tomorrow we have another masterclass in the morning, and we will turn our attention to Tosca; we leave for Spain on Thursday!
My favorite picture of the day was the last one posted in this entry; after explaining the tradition of “Toi, toi, toi” in opera in yesterday’s blog post, we got to the castle to find that the portable toilets are called “ToiToi”!
An overflow crowd of more than 600 welcomed us to Schloss Braunfels
Chorus of Otello sings “Fuoco di gioia” around an erie fire
Professor William Wilson (Montano) engages in a swordfight with Casio; we are sad to report that he loses this one!
Principal artists of Otello; our students have become particularly enamoured of the lovely voice of soprano Romana Vaccaro (Desdemona) and the dynamic singing of tenor Edoardo Villa (Otello)
Student Nicole Burbridge had a special guest at the premiere - her mother!
Our little opera joke!
We’re going to identify a website that can host all of our pictures to share with all of you; there are just too many good ones to include them all here!
BCL
Otello for lunch
July 14th, 2007 by operatheatre
You’ll probably be sitting down to lunch about the time we begin our performance of Otello tonight; one of the oddities of being on the other side of the world that some of us are still getting used to! Make sure to raise a glass of iced tea (oder ein pilsner dem bier!) and say “toi, toi, toi!” to wish us luck. (For those of you who don’t know this operatic tradition, “toi” simulates spitting over one’s shoulder for luck. It’s the operatic version of “break a leg.”
The students are excited for tonight; we expect an overflow crowd (Michael says the courtyard seat 550, so he’s guessing we’ll have about 600!). We shared a big meal of pasta and chicken last night (and for all the mothers reading this, yes, we even had vegetables and salad…); that’s another operatic tradition (and one shared with many athletes): “carbing up” for energy the day before a big performance.
The castle also hosted a jazz performance last night, with American jazz guitarist Ron Anthony and the Bernd-Hans-Gietz Trio, featuring opera singers Brett Hamilton and Sue Patchell taking an evening off from the high notes. Mr. Anthony has the distinction of having been Frank Sinatra’s guitarist, and was gracious enough to offer student Hunter Hall a lesson on the guitar. (photo below)
Will update tomorrow with a full review of the Otello premiere!
BCL
Otello Dress Rehearsal
July 13th, 2007 by operatheatre
Thursday, 12 July
The company of Otello had a final dress rehearsal last evening, although, thanks to a rain delay, the third act was undressed! Well, out of costume anyway. Everyone kept an incredibly positive attitude, however and, in the end, Otello and Desdemona still died! Opera wins!
The students faced many challenges, some of them encountering some of their staging for the first time, some not finding their costumes, and all of them adapting to the challenge of singing outdoors, with a conductor and orchestra behind (and not in front) of them! I’m also most proud that whenever called upon for a little extra help (moving props, setting up chairs) they are always gracious and helpful. For those parents reading this blog: you done good!
The company of Otello gets last-minute staging instructions before the final dress rehearsal
Tenor Dennis Tamblyn (Roderigo) and the Otello Chorus, Act I
Professor William Wilson (Montano) with tenor and international opera star, Edoardo Villa
Professor Wilson has taken a group of students into the historic city of Wiesbaden, while some of the other students and I enjoy a leisurely day today in our little home-away-from-home, Bad Schwalbach. Several students will attend an “opern gala” tonight in Hessenpark while others brave my cooking! We hope both will be palatable!
Do leave a reply to this post by clicking the “comments” link below; we especially appreciate hearing from friends and family. And for those parents who haven’t heard from their wayward children yet, I can assure you that all have arrived safe and sound.
Auf wiedersehn!
BCL
Excellent masterclass!
July 12th, 2007 by operatheatre
Wednesday, 11 July
Our students had a full day today, starting with a surprise early wake-up call for a costume fitting! As always, they rise to the occasion (this time literally). The highlight of the day was a masterclass with heldentenor John Charles Pierce (you may find out more about him on his website: http://www.geocities.com/johncharlespierce/index.html). Soprano SallyAnn Thibedeau, tenors Christopher Puckett and Dennis Tamblyn and baritone Gary Kubert all sang for Mr. Pierce, who offered welcomed advice and counsel. For all of the students in attendance he had words of wisdom about singing careers, and, in particular, pursuing a career in Germany.
Tenor Christopher Puckett, tenor Dennis Tamblyn, Mr. Pierce, soprano SallyAnn Thibedeau and baritone Gary Kubert
The day continued with the arrival of pianist Chia-Chen Chang, and a long rehearsal with the orchestra.
We’ll all be sleeping in a bit on Thursday, and resting for our final dress (general) rehearsal at the Schloss Braunfels Castle.
Meanwhile, go ahead and click the “comments” link below and leave us a message!
BCL