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Category Archives: Opera
Nixon in China
At last, 25 years after its premiere, I finally got to see and hear John Adams’s first opera, Nixon in China. San Francisco Opera gave this a fine production. Continue reading
Posted in Opera
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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
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
Posted in Chorus, Music Notation, Opera
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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
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
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
Posted in Chorus, Music, Opera
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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