Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Getting Ready to hit the Road

Readers,

I am extremely excited and honored for my lesson today with revered American tenor Richard Leech

I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Leech this pas summer at the Martina Arroyo Prelude to Performance Master Class series. We spent some time working on the Giuletta/Hoffmann duet C'est une chanson d'amour. Mr. Leech also greeted our audiences as a sort of Master of Ceremonies before each show. His energy, honest and confidence were infectious.

This will be my first official lesson with a tenor and I am eager to hear what Mr. Leech has to offer as a teacher, I of course adore his singing.

With this lesson I say goodbye to my friends, my Latte, my family and a great summer as Hoffmann and as guest of the Collegiate Chorale at the Verbier Festival. I will start the long drive back to Athens, Georgia: to approach the ravenous and bellicose Don Jose in the UGA Opera Theater production of Carmen and complete my DMA.

Best,
Joe

Saturday, August 3, 2013

It's not all Classical Music and Opera

Readers,

This post is just a small shout-out to Erene and a reminder that we should always have great music, classical or otherwise, in our lives.

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing ERENE (Irene Mastrangeli) perform at The Living Room on Ludlow street, lower Manhattan.
The Living Room us a cute bar with a great performance venue, there is a lot of great music happening there. 


Was there with Salina Sanchez and former Justina Soto an the Salvation Arm Band guitarist Danny Snedecor. 
 
I met ERENE in the fall of 2005 when I decided to take Italian lessons to get closer to my heritage. At the time I was a senior in High School, playing electric bass and singing in the choir. After nearly 10 years I have moved on from the electric bass in to the double bass and then realized myself as a tenor - with the guidance of Frederick Burchinal. Now, after a summer as Hoffmann and a week at the Verbier festival I find myself in the perfect spot: home, listening to the music that helped me throughout my collegiate life.

I still use the book from which ERENE taught, to brush up my Italian when I am not obsessing over French or German.

Keep your friends and loved ones close, and look for inspiration in all things.

Cheers to ERENE and all the great artists who are not on the opera stage.

Best,
Joe

Friday, August 2, 2013

Follow Up

Readers,

I've received great feedback from those who were able to listen to the WUGA broadcast of the radio interview with Allen Crowell last Wednesday.

For those of you who were interested but unable I have made the 27 min interview available at my website or you can access the and stream the sound clip through the following link Hodgson Center Stage Episode 1 (Pilot Episode)

The show will be presented again next Wednesday, August 7th at WUGA Radio Online

In the meantime, I am preparing for the UGA Opera Theater production of Bizet's opera Carmen, in which I will be singing the role of the pugnacious and unrestrained Don Jose. I will also be preparing to take the Doctoral Preliminary exams, the first stages in completing my degree.

Finally, could everyone send their best energy - be it prayers or wishes - to my friend Blaise Pascal. He is a fine tenor, a good friend and in need of what ever support one can offer. Blaise is in the ICU of St. Luke's Hospital fighting a severe battle with Pneumonia and has been for weeks.

graciously,
Joe