Suni in The Magic Flute!

What: Die Zauberflote
Where: Shetler's studio 244 W 54th St # 12
New York, NY 10019-5515
(212) 246-6655
When: Jan 29,2011
1pm & 6m
Jan30,2011
2pm
Who: The New York Opera Studio Crew

I am thrilled to be singing as one of the three spirits! The opera will be sang in German, as with no dialogues :) Don't expect a Met set up, do expect a fun production!

For ticket/admission information please contact the NYOS or leave me a comment describing your question.

Shaquille O'Neal Conducts The Boston Pops

Hey, who said basketball player can't conduct---

The story of Danielle de Niese-A Met rising star

Danielle de Niese is a young, talented opera singer, who graduated from the Met's young artist program and is part of the Met's family.
I had heard a lot of about her from other sources before seeing her performance at the Met a few weeks ago. She was fantastic. I realized some people tent to devalue her credibility as a "genuine" opera singer (thanks a lot, ms. Jenkins) because she can be perceived as "scatterbrained" (She is young, pretty, and full of energy) . In an interview I saw online, De Niese was being very opened about her feelings about a particular recital, she did not try to polish her comments (maybe she wasn't taught to) like many others would, so that the wording can be more "mainstream". I appreciate this kind of honesty, more so than any given interview by Renee Fleming where she is generally held back with expressions, and chooses her words carefully. Perhaps it's because that's how most of us are taught to talk in front of cameras or reporters-image is everything.

It reminded me how I got into the study, and what a bless it is to have an incredibly supportive family that believes in me. Between painting and singing, my world is a constant joy and pleasure of free expression, and for that, I know I'm a lucky one.

Danielle de Niese recently posted a blog post on Huffington, it's rather open and extremely down to earth. Isn't it not how most of us got into opera?

My name is Danielle de Niese. I am an international opera singer who travels around the globe performing in opera, concert and recital for major venues and presenters worldwide.

I'm a performer...Click for full artical

The Magic Flute!

Since I'm going to be doing "The Magic Flute" in Scotland, next year, I thought I'd post something from the opera, thanks to You Tube, makes posting anything sooo easy! I'm excited to be in the production, and it came as complete surprise,thank you for giving me this opportunity, Carol! Rehearsal starts after Thanksgiving in the state, and the admission proceed with be used to the benefit of the singers!

Whoa! Long time no see! Now something cheerful and hilarious!


Dudley Moore a spoof on Benjamin Britten


Dean Martin and Victor Borge, it's just too darn funny!

R.I.P Joan Sutherland

I've posted some videos of Dame Joan Sutherland in the past. Sutherland possessed a magical voice, warm resonance and a wide range. I was not able to hear her live, even once. While there are so many famous, beautiful opera singers with popular profile, we should always remember the passed ones, as they are the inspiration for today's opera.

Taste of the golden age

Last week we attended a Salon where 7 or 8 singers and friends got together to share repertories and inspirations. After the singing part, the host played a series of opera repertoires sang by stars from 1920-1930. In those days people didn't have the necessary recording and editing equipment to make the singing"seamless" by editing the breaths out, record on two tracks, etc like they are doing commonly today to the studio singers, in order to make the singing "perfect". However, when all factor are accounted for, the voice does what it is designated for- pure singing. I can hear the resonance, the verbrato, and even the traces of breathing was attractive enough it gave me a better perspective on what the modern signings are lacking, as we depend heavily on technical support. Just like painting, we often refer back to the old masters from 15th-19th century, to gain fresher perspective to our own motif, the source of inspiration and influence.

I thought we begin with one of my all time fav diva,

Licia Albanese

PRIMA DONNA???

Rufus Wainwright's Prima Donna has been the topic ever since he began composing it. The met doesn't want it, but Rufus keep trying. What do you think?

How can I forget???

HD festival 2010 --Metropolitan Opera

The curtain opens, the lights dim, the overture begins...
Met HD summer festival is a free event, yes, it is F R E E! Go enjoy yourself!

RECENT RELEASED ART FILMS

Opera Sephro- Rehearsal

I love the way Sephro is written for many reasons-first, it's about life on other planets; Then there's the beautiful singing :) Here's a very short clip of one of the rehearsals. The opera will premier in September, coincides with the Fringe festival 2010. We are having a lot of fun putting it together. The opera is directed by Dorothy Cardella. To know more about Fringe Festival, go to http://www.livearts-fringe.org/

Something isn't meant to happen at age 8

Ok, I just had say something. I came across this today. It's an obvious young and talent girl singing "Oh mio babino caro". Anyone who has vocal background would NOT have done this to their kid. Maybe to most people, this young girl processes the kind of beautiful, mature voice that almost mimics Dame Fleming. But she is no Fleming. Not that I am being overly critical, this girl is obviously well stage trained; she is confident and vocally articulate. However, when you listen to how she is singing, you will hear that she's trained to suppress her vocal muscle, in order to produce a broader, more colored voice. Everyone can do it, but it is extremely dangerous as such habit can result in permanent vocal damage. People are pushing this girl so hard on stage, that they are trying to force a "moment" on her while she is eternally NOT ready. If she continues vocalizing like this, a sad ending is almost eminent. The media is on its quest to generate younger and younger stars, targeting audience's interest in younger talent. This girl is too young and confused to understand that right now, when she does one day, it maybe too late. People shouldn't do this to someone so talented and defenseless! It hurts me to see that...Something isn't meant to happen at age 8.

The most amazing Vocal Work Shop

Last weekend I attended a Vocal Works Shop, and it. was. amazing. At first I was very skeptical, I thought this was going to be just another vocal AA meeting-"Hello, my name is xxx and I love to sing..." The work shop started from some quick vocal exercises to A Cappella. The people, came from all background, some were more familiar with each other than others. The process of learning a short song can be amazingly efficient. Only a few minutes on each, we managed to go through several songs in less than 30 minutes. Some people brought in songs to teach the group, again I was amazed at our natural talent in learning and singing something so quickly. The work shop was "paper less", even though there were sheet music involved. People who came in with their own songs, taught others to sing the way they did, it was interesting learning songs with different teachers in different styles . My favorite part of the workshop was when people all sang the same note together, first the same key, different duration then everyone stood up, eyes closed, sang anything came to the mind like free-range Turkeys. When our visual sensor is taken away, we rely on other sensors- hearing, motion change, etc. Anyway, I could hear everyone, and I was not afraid of contributing my own voice in find that harmony within the whole composition. It was so amazing, I actually teared up when we opened our eyes. I recommend this between couples as well. Anyone can do this exercise. It's all about trusting in others and relax our inner senses.
Below is song brought in by one of the singers. It's a poem by Emily Dickinson, and it was amazing singing it with a room full of people. Never give up hope:)




Maria Callas-LAST INTERVIEW part 4-8

Part of the reason people love Maria Callas so much is undoubtedly her passion for singing and a true sense of acting. Callas was a sensible woman, who played nearly thousand roles during her career. She found many versions of herself in the dramatic roles she played. Whatever happened to Callas in reality, she never stopped being herself, or afraid of speaking out her mind. Here are some examples of her quotes:


----"An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I've left the opera house."


----"Don't talk to me about rules, dear. Wherever I stay I make the goddam rules."


----"First I lost my voice, then I lost my figure and then I lost Onassis."

----"Good teachers make the best of a pupil's means; great teachers foresee a pupil's ends."


----"I am not an angel and do not pretend to be. That is not one of my roles. But I am not the devil either. I am a woman and a serious artist, and I would like so to be judged."


----"I cannot switch my voice. My voice is not like an elevator going up and down."

Maria Callas-LAST INTERVIEW part 4

Maria Callas-LAST INTERVIEW part 5

Maria Callas-LAST INTERVIEW part 6

Maria Callas-LAST INTERVIEW part 7

Maria Callas-LAST INTERVIEW part 8

God I love this guy...!

Suni July Recital -Ave Maria ( Schubert )

Here's a audio clip of my most recent recital at Saunders House, Wynnewood, PA.

Maria Callas-LAST INTERVIEW part 3.4.5

Maria Callas-LAST INTERVIEW part 2

Maria Callas-LAST INTERVIEW

Suni July Recital

Maria Callas-12 Years Old, stunning voice

Documentary "The Audition" at the Music Academy of the West

I finished this film in tears, not because it was a "Met competition", but because these young singers worked so hard to be where they have only dreamed to be. And I know they didn't become singers for the fame, but because singing is their life. Singers, especially classical singers face the harshest future and challenges today, comparing to pop singers whose voice can be revised and disguised by digital balancers, classical singers rely on sheer passion and talent. I very much recommend this documentary, you get buy it directly from the Met store or click here
for a link to the Met's online store.

Patti Labelle!!

Ms. Labelle is also a Philadelphian! Just like Tina Fey!!

Bravo! Opera Company of Philly!

A few links to reviews by Broad Street Review by AJ Sabatini, Robert Zaller and Steve Cohen.

Director Robert B. Driver and conductor Corrado Rovaris chose the French Orphée et Eurydice, composed by Gluck and edited by Hector Berlioz into four short acts, played without an intermission.



Now my two cents about the Opera: Having had past experience with the OCP's production (Ginanni Schicici)last year, I am not unfamiliar with the director's minimalist sense of design. Although I had never seen the opera live before, merely knowing the plot (not the Gluck's plot) gave a lot of room for imagination and speculation of how OCP plan to show this mythological, sensual, and potentially heart breaking opera to the audiences. I never quite liked boxy, linear stage designs, it tends to limit my focus almost compulsively, forces me to look at the edge , as suppose allowing my eyes to flow around-like an awkward composition in a painting. However, the "boxy" design worked quite nicely in this piece, allowing the tilted stage to be lit from several directions at once. The light effect, was magnificent. Lighting was an indispensable part of the opera, as it provided so much atmospheric elevation for the singers. At one point, as Orphee descends to "the land of dead", mezzo-soprano Ruxandra Donose actually came flying down on invisible cables! Tobe continued...

Bea Arthur & Madame sing "A Good Man is Hard to Find" - 1980

Bea Arthur was is one of my favorite actresses and artists. She still is,even though she is no longer with us today.

Sephro

Mann center-A summer collection

Mann Center

We recently attended the MANN's "A summer collection" concert, which celebrates African American opera singers of our time. On the stage, there were large flayers of photos of African American opera pioneers like Marian Anderson and Lyontine Price, off the stage were hundreds of exciting audiences from all background, waiting to witness a spectacular night of opera arias and orchestration. The starts of the night including:

Angela Brown, soprano Adrienne Danrich, soprano

Marietta Simpson, mezzo-soprano Vinson Cole, tenor Gordon Hawkins, baritone.

The concert began with Marietta Simpson singing "Cabanera" of Bizet's Carmen, then went on to famous arias from "Samson et Dalila" to Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess". I love both Angela Brown's vocal performance and role playing, especially in "Porgy and Bess", the best I've seen yet. It was a great night!

"Opera from A Sista point of view"

Soprano Angela Brown will be doing a concert at the Mann Center this summer, check out her CNN interview !

Keri Te Kanawa Interview 3/3

Keri Te Kanawa Interview

One of the modern age's most remarkable soprano, Keri Te Kanawa, did this lovely interview in 2008. It's as encouraging as the interview by Leontyne Price. One thing she says, and it would be a very important key fact for any artist- Never miss an opportunity.
Born a Mauri, Keri Te Kanawa was thought to be anything but an opera star.

花样年华－"In The Mood For Love"

In the Mood for Love (The Age of Blossoms, literally in Chinese) is a 2000 Hong Kong film directed by Wong Kar-wai, a well known film director. The film described an love affair between two people, and what happens when they revisit the romance years later.

I love the sound track in this film, especially some of the old Chinese songs sung in English, and Nat King Cole's "Aquello Ojos Verdes"...











The song tracks really add flavor to the film, and it is indispensable to the audiences, in my opinion.

Opera Company of Philadelphia "Flash Brindisi" at Reading Terminal Market (April 24, 2010)

Just saw their "La Traviata", it was my first "La Traviata" and I had been uber excited since the beginning of the season.

All photo above are copy right to the Philadelphia Opera Company, they can be found at

http://www.operaphila.org/backend/News/csNews.cgi?database=wings.db&command=viewone&id=65&op=t
Here's a video of lead soprano, Leah Patrige, singing in River to River festival in 2008

Curtis at Prince Theater-Il barbiere di Siviglia, Rossini

The Barber of Seville, or The Useless Precaution (Il barbiere di Siviglia, ossia L'inutile precauzione) is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto by Cesare Sterbini.

I wish I had a picture of Saturday's performance for you, dear blog readers. IT .WAS. WILD.
The opera was set in modern era, as evidenced by the singers's punk rock outfit, Mohawk, glittering eye shadows and black lipsticks. However,

Three opera, one week.

AVA farewell recital last night was exciting and slightly disappointing. The only graduate student this year, Christopher Boudouc, could not make it due to work schedule. He is singing with an opera company in Texas (good for him!) Nevertheless, we were very glad to see all current student studying at AVA on one stage, doing what they do best, presenting audiences with touching melody and excellent vocal technique. Na Li Youm, a young soprano, sang a Beautiful melody in her native language, Korean. (Kudos to the two gentlemen sitting behind me, who ultimately concluded that the song must be in French) Maria Aleida was also fabulous in her nightingale like high range, bravo! Resident artist, Michele Johnson, who we have seen in several previous performances, sung "Summertime" and a duet in G.Gershwin's > with Noram Garrett , both singers were fantastic, they brought a such sweet moment to the audiences.

I was able to find videos of some singers:

Maria Aleida

Michele Johnson

Ave Maria Bach/Gounod - Divas Seranade

Sunday's Diva Seranade:

Jennifer Lam Wait & Heather Tessmer
AVE MARIA

Jennifer Lam Wait, 2009 Advent Concert

Beautiful Diva Serenades, Jennifer Lam Wait.

We look forward to seeing more of you in the future:)

Divas Serenade presents Songs to the Blessed Mother

This Sunday, May2,2010, Join us at the Church of the Holy Eucharist . The Holy Eucharist Church is proud to welcome back Divas Serenade. Jennifer Lam (click to hear a sound clip) and Heather Tessmer Mooney will present “Ave Maria” songs to the Blessed Mother. The concert will be held at the Holy Eucharist Church on Sunday May 2nd, 2010 at 3pm. Suggested donation of $10.

Danielle de Niese doing"Lascia ch'io pianga"

Before I studied this aria, I had always thought it was something cheerful...it's not. It's rather something like "leave me to die...my love...(typical Italian dramatic mentality ).
I love Danielle de Niese, asides from her beautiful voice and expressive stage presence, I love her
down- to- earth-sunny disposition.

First Tosca, first Met

My first Met experience was "Toscaly" wonderful. Unfortunately we could not be there for Marttila Karrita, but bless Jonas Kauffman,

Anna Moffo and Robert Merrill

A decade before Moffo's death, she returned to the Met to sing "Sweethearts" with Robert Merrill.

SAVE THE DATE

My first recital after graduation--Sorry it couldn't be scheduled sooner. I will be collaborating with Stephanie Klein, a working professional by day and a Jazz musician by night (click here to see her Jazz group) at Waverly Heights Retirement Community on May8th, 2010. We are going to try to record the recital and put it on Youtube (it doesn't look that hard, millions of people have done it) so it can be shared with people :)

Create AccountSign In Baltsa, Tomowa-Sintow, Zeffiri, Stamboglis Kavakos - Gala for Lambrakis Athens 17.03.10

Betty Hutton's "Hamlet"

I think this sums up the whole thing pretty well.

Watch out, Met!

While it lasts!

While there are SO MUCH to write and SO LITTLE time to make it happen, I am glad Youtube is here to help sharing some instant feeling and moment.


Though I have to say, Mr.Villazon seems like he could use a little more water..

Some Duet Days...

SUTHERLAND & HORNE - Norma duet

Opera Sephro

News-I am very very proud to be working with an Opera production " Sephro" for the Fringe festival this summer :) I will write more about it later!

Recently we were at the recital of Eglise Gutierrez, who is a AVA grad and a wonderful soprano! Her home town is Cuba, so she brought some Cha-cha-chá into her recital this time. It was both beautiful and playful. The audiences were totally captivated by her bright resonating voice and smoothing transitioning of vocal range. I just wish the weather wasn't so dry!

Here's a clip of her singing Caro Nome

Curtis- Capprecio

Capriccio (opera) by AVA

Last weekend we went to see Capriccio by Curtis institute. Capriccio is the final opera by German
composer Richard Strauss, subtitled "A Conversation Piece for Music". Having never seen the opera before, and arriving late, I was mostly disoriented about the plot and the dialogs between the singers. Germanic language is very different from Italian language, which derived from Latin. Eventhough, Germanic language is a part of old English family, composed of Dutch and Afikanns. It was hard to sense what the dialogs were about. During the intermission, we were served hot chocolate as in the opera, the singers were to take a "chocolate" break, it was very sweet for them to treat the audience using part of the plot. Our favorite soprano, Michelle Johnson, who is a second year resident artistis of AVA, play the Countess, the sister of the Count. Having performed on many bigger stages, it was an easy, relaxed time for Johnson to really emphasize her acting skills. (She is not being poisoned this time as she was in Il Trovatore :)) Another loud applause goes to Olivia Vote, who is also AVA second year resident artist. Her breathing technique was amazing, her voice was resonating in both high and low register. We really enjoyed her singing :) The opera is full of action, singing, talking, love and irony. At the end, the Countess could not choose between Music and words, and each represented a suitor. The opera ended purposely before the countess made her decision. I assume if there was an ending to Capriccio, the Countess would have chosen neither suitor because words and music is inseparable.

The final scene from Capriccio, the Countess struggling to make a decision.



Click here to see a review by Robert Baxter.

Curtis at Prince Theater-La sonnambula by Bellini 02/20/2010

We were glad to be in the Prince theater tonight, for <<*la sonnambula="">> (The sleep walker) by Bellini in collaboration with the Curtis orchestra. The production was well put, and well performed.

Interesting article

Maria Callas: Voice Of Perfect Imperfection

"Maria Callas defined what it meant to be a diva. And Callas remains one of the towering figures of opera..."

EMI Classics

Saunders House Recital 02/23/10

Life Pianist

10:00 am

02/23/1020
March- Waverly Heights Retirement Community,PA

Feburary recital updated!

My last recital at Cadia Rehabilitation, (Delaware) was one of the best recitals ever :) Thank you (thank you Rachael) so much for having us and giving us the wonderful afternoon to be part of a very warming and welcoming community where residents sung along throughout the recital :)
My next recital will be 02/27/2010, location is to be determined between Waverly heights, PA and Beaumont retirement,PA depending on the pianist's and the facility's availability.

OONY-Julianna Di giacomo

The Thursday night performance at OONY was yet another pleasant experience. Ms Di Giacomo sung several heart-wrenching arias, our favorite was Vissi d'Arte from Tosca. Ms. Eve queler's effort in promoting young rising stars, bringing them to a smaller, more intimate stage has been very effective with people who has limited time in town, or fans who prefer to enjoy the concert from a closer distance (like us).
We are looking forward to the next show.


Julianna Di Giacomo Rome 2009


Eve Queler conducting ,OONY rehearsal

The most expensive opera ad ever?

What do you think?

Happy B-DAY

Renata Tebaldi February 1, 1922

Janet Baker

Dame Janet Abbott Baker,(Janet Baker) is one of the best known English actress and perhaps the best representation of Dido from "Dido & Aneas".

Audition for ducks

Q: What would you pick as the perfect audition aria if you were a duck?

A: Vedrai Carino (Me think :P More suggestions?)

Anna Moffo the local

Anna Moffo went to Curtis Institute (Philadelphia) where all the students are already quite polished when accepted to study there. She has one of the most beautiful voices in the world, and she is so graceful on and off stage.

Philadelphia Orchestra+Struss + Karita Mattila

We were extremely lucky to be part of the Philadelphia Orchestra performance on Saturday and to be among the exciting audiences of your excellence Karita Mattila. We will be seeing ms.Mattila again this March, for her role in Tosca, directed by Luc Bondy. I tried to sketch really really quickly, and "quietly"... However, it isn't easy when you are sitting in the first row and literally, at he heel of the conductor Jiri Belohlavek, who's conducting was equally amazing.

Karita Mattila singing Strauss the last four songs

Audience

The Concert Master Mr.Kim

Mr. Jiří Bělohlávek the Conductor

Pop singers to Opera singers! -Continued:

I have to say though, it's a really interesting concept...Probably wouldn't work in US, sadly, because people entirely ignore classical music here.

New Recital Date!

Winter is still here :( Blazing wind even makes the pigeons shade their heads under their wings :( At least home is nice and warm, and the record player is still running the favorite sound !:)

Be ware, short ad

Can say I'm NOT excited about the new season of "So you think you can sing?"

Choir camp UMBRIAN SERENADES

"UMBRIAN SERENADES is a life-transforming choral program that brings together passionate singers from all over the U.S. who seek opportunities to perform exquisite a cappella repertoire within a small vocal chamber ensemble...." One of the founder, a great friend of ours who is an fabulous soprano, excellent vocal coach and a wonderful person, brings singers to Italy every summer for two weeks where the singers receive choir training and dine on the greatest taste of Italy ...

War on Carmen

Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

Roberto Alagna's exciting presence as the soldier and Elina Garanca's flawless voice in the title role can't quite redeem this production.

Carmen, opera's favorite bad girl, is sexy, unpredictable and fascinating -- everything the Met's new production of Bizet's "Carmen" is not...Read more (ny post)

The excellent mezzo Elina Garanča played up Carmen's toughness. With her purring low range and free upper register, she sounded fabulous and brought out the character's visceral strength and independence, creating an indelible impression...Read more

Here's a version of Maria Ewin's Carmen I really, really enjoyed. (w sj)