Friday, May 15, 2015

Don Jose Again - Carmen Photos II (2015)

Dedicated Readers,

These last few weeks have been very busy! I've kept everything kind of... well.. hush hush... but you deserve to know - after all, you're reading this blog, aren't you?

First, the obvious:

You'll remember from Nov. 17 of 2013 I had a post of photo from my first Don Jose in Carmen at the University of Georgia.

Below I welcome you to view photos from my most recent Jose in Carmen with the New York Opera Exchange. Costumes by Taylor Mills!

The NY Opera Exchange spring 2015 production of Carmen went splendidly! What a great opportunity to revisit this demanding, passionate, and psychological role.

The NYOE Carmen cast included SISHEL CLAVERIE (Carmen), ZHANNA ALKHAZOVA(Micaela), PAUL KHURI (Escamillo), SONJA KRENEK (Frasquita), SYLVIA SZADOVSZKI(Mercedes), JAVIER ORTIZ (Zuniga), JOHN CALLISON (Morales), JOE PALARCA (Remendado), and WAYNE ARTHUR PAUL (Don Cairo).















Monday, May 11, 2015

Bravi Tutti e Complimenti to Carmen at NY Opera Exchange

I want to wish a big congratulations to New York Opera Exchange for their run of Bizet's Carmen. 

It was such a pleasure to work with Mat Dickson and his cast of fantastic rising singers. NYOE compiled a fantastic group of New York based singers for their 2015 production of Carmen.

The weather was perfect this weekend, which kept the theater cool and the crowds coming. Four sold out shows including a Mother's day matinee. 

I have to say, with great affection, bravi to SISHEL CLAVERIE (Carmen), ZHANNA ALKHAZOVA (Micaela), PAUL KHURI (Escamillo), SONJA KRENEK (Frasquita), SYLVIA SZADOVSZKI (Mercedes), JAVIER ORTIZ (Zuniga), JOHN CALLISON (Morales), JOE PALARCA (Remendado),
and WAYNE ARTHUR PAUL (Don Cairo) - what a dynamic and engaging cast.

I also could not say nicer things about Alden Gatt, our musical director/conductor and assistant conductor Josh Bavaro. A shout out to Taylor Mills and Risa for their costuming genius. 

I am so grateful to have worked with Maestro Peter Mark,  shame he couldn't stay on the project, but he was close and offered fantastic seasoned information and help.

We pulled together to make this huge show work so well, and bravo to the technical crew who continue to find creative ways to turn the Church of the Covenant theater space in to a home for opera.

Cheers to both casts, with a special shout out to Costas Tsourakis who was an outstanding Zuniga!

As ever,
yours
Joe

Thanks for reading!