Category Archives: Opera

Nixon in Bogotá

In honor of San Francisco Opera’s 25th anniversary production of John Adams’s Nixon in China, here’s some lesser-known Nixon history. Continue reading

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Great Moments in Sight Reading, Part 1

Today was the first chorus rehearsal for West Bay Opera’s production of Aida. We were sight reading through all the choral portions in the opera, and naturally we spent a lot of time in Act II. Turn to page 157 and all heck breaks loose. Continue reading

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Heart of a Soldier

I attended Sunday’s performance of the new Christopher Theofanidis opera Heart of a Soldier in its premiere run at San Francisco Opera, and found it to be a very moving and powerful piece. Continue reading

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Chorus Stage Time: Turandot vs. Der Freischütz

Turnadot is indeed twice as big as a standard chorus opera part. No wonder we’re so tired but happy afterwards: “Nessun dorma” indeed! Continue reading

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Coming Up: Turandot

It’s less than 24 hours until Turandot opens at West Bay Opera. Turandot is Puccini’s last and grandest opera. To get the chance to perform it as part of a volunteer chorus may well be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Continue reading

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May La Forza Be With You

This was a fun and unusual evening! The Giants won the National League pennant with about 3 minutes to spare before the start of our offstage pilgrims’ chorus scene in Verdi’s La forza del destino at West Bay Opera.
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La Forza del West Bay

The reviews are in from the first weekend of Verdi’s La forza del destino at West Bay Opera, and they are raves indeed. There’s one more weekend to see this remarkable production – and to hear me sing 18 measures in the Act II offstage pilgrim’s chorus. Continue reading

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From Freischütz to Resurrection

Our run of Der Freischütz at West Bay Opera concluded on Sunday. The innovative direction by Yuval Sharon had its fans and its detractors, but the singing was pretty well universally praised. As a member of the chorus, I was … Continue reading

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