Die Lustige Witwe round 2

Dear Readers,

Tonight: Saturday the 19th, at 7:30 pm I will be singing Camille for the second performance of The Merry Widow with Opera Theater Pittsburgh.

We've had week off since our last show, and tonight will feel both like a reunion and a new opening.

This week in review: Master Classes, coachings and lessons with Robert Chafin, Milutin Lazich, Marianne Cornetti, Ray Blackwell and Dr. Robert Coran. I sang in a Cabaret. There were many hours spent on Ariadne. NEWS FLASH: I will be singing the role of the Scientist in workshop performance of Gilda Lyons' new opera, to premiere in 2015. It is an opera based on Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring.

What I've observed here in the Steel City, is that there is a Pittsburgh "sound." Practically all of the teachers and faculty members studied at or even taught at CCM at some point. There is quite a bit of overlap between the Pittsburgh singers/musicians and CCM. It is, therefore, obvious that a general consensus on vocal timbre and production exists. With only some variation I think I've heard and observed a reliable sample of the vocal theory in the city.

As a general principal, I try to keep this blog as P.C. and non-confrontational as possible, so I will not go too far down the long and dangerous path of opinions on singing, opinions on teachers and opinions on technique. This blog is meant for professional updates, not criticisms. I conclude this section: I have enjoyed nearly every aspect of my time here, and it has been a pleasure to hear, see and learn from the singers at O.T.P. The faculty and staff have been nothing but friendly and encouraging.

If you're in or plan to be in Pittsburgh before July 28th, come and see us!

Come July 28th, you're next chance to see me will be in Atlanta in September with Capitol City Opera singing Camille (different, English translation) and then again in Atlanta in October (details to be announce shorty).

Thank you for reading
Joe