Thursday, January 30, 2014

As January becomes the past

Dear readers,

Thank you for your patience between my updates.
Lots of things to share with you!

In just 14 days I will be making my role debut as Nemorino in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore.
I will be sharing the UGA Fine Arts Theater stage with some of my favorite UGA Opera Theater colleagues: Elisabeth Slaten as Adina, Christopher Voss as Dr. Dulcamara, Evan Tyor as Belcore and Avery Draut as Giannetta.

This production will be particularly special as it will be conducted by Meastro Imre Pallo. The show is being directed by the rising Jennifer Bakst. These two special guests are helping to create a very strong and very funny show. It will be a treat for all to see. Bring your friends and family!

The opera will run February 14th, 15th and 16th.

I would also like to include a link to the UGA Opera Theater production of Bizet's Carmen from November 2013. For those of you who read my updates and followed my journey as Don Jose while moonlighting as Wagner/Nereo for my Carnegie Hall debut, following this Link to Youtube Video of Carmen.

Lastly, I am honing in on a dissertation topic. In fact, I have decided to offer a lecture recital as my final project to earn my D.M.A degree focusing on Italian vocal music of the mid-late 19th century (I don't want to give too much away for obvious reasons). I am currently researching the tenors Giovanni Matteo "Mario" successor to Rubin and Roberto Stagno, the first Turiddu.

From Stagno's biography, written in Italian by his daughter comes these beautiful quotes:
"... quell'atmosfera vibrante e sonora che crea una divina melodia arpeggiata dai raggi solare su qulla terra benedetta."

"... faro luminoso di tutte le vele gonfie di speranze artisiche."

gorgeous!

And from il Mario comes some of the most virtuosic florid music written for tenor.

Cheers and thank you for reading,
Joe

Sunday, January 5, 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Dear Readers,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I apologize for the delay.
I have been driving between Georgia, New York and Pennsylvania since the middle of December.
I was fortunate to sneak out of New York before the majority of the snow fell.

I was very fortunate to do some caroling and christmas singing with Costas Tsourakis, Jaime Ratcliffe and a great group of singers with Gus Chrysson's group at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Manhattan.

 This final semester will be a busy one, we're putting up Donizetti's Elixir of Love!!!!
I will be singing a recital with Greg Hankins.

I'll try to keep you well updated.

In the mean time, stay well.

Thanks for reading,
Joe

P.S. I hope La Befana treated you all well ;-)