May 2014
After Vixen
May 19, 2014 13:26
We had our first performance of “The Cunning Little Vixen” on Saturday evening here in Cleveland. What a fascinating production! I don’t usually like to publish my reviews in my journal (that’s for the “Critical Acclaim” page). However, I wanted to post this so that you could see the video of the animation that is used in this production. It is truly something like nothing I’ve ever seen in an evening at the opera. And, to be honest, the video itself doesn’t do justice to just what the people see in the theater. It is amazing!
http://www.cleveland.com/musicdance/index.ssf/2014/05/cleveland_orchestras_cunning_l.html
http://www.cleveland.com/musicdance/index.ssf/2014/05/cleveland_orchestras_cunning_l.html
Vixen
May 15, 2014 23:25
Wow, what a week. Just 7 days ago, I was on a high from opening night in Philadelphia (“Salome”). We completed that short run on May 10. I flew to Cleveland the next day and quickly was thrown into rehearsals for a new role, The Forester, in “The Cunning Little Vixen”. Now, jumping into any show that quickly is a challenge. However, when it is indeed a new role and a role in Czech, well, the difficulty factor jumps tenfold. But, I have to say it’s been a wonderful challenge. Tonight, we had our final dress rehearsal here at Severence Hall with what is truly one of my favorite orchestras, The Cleveland Orchestra.
What an extraordinary production this is as well. I don’t want to give too much away--but, it’s magical. It shouldn’t be missed if you are any where near the city in the coming week. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
I didn’t know this score very well until just a few months ago. I started more diligent work on the piece in January and have completely fallen in love with this incredible opera. The music is so atmospheric. The characters are delightful. And the beauty abounds. I was told I should look at this role MANY years ago but the opportunity didn’t arise until recently for that to happen. I’m glad it’s indeed happening in Cleveland.
I am so fortunate to be spending these 2-3 weeks, near the end of a long season, with two such extraordinary orchestras--clearly 2 of the world’s best.
What an extraordinary production this is as well. I don’t want to give too much away--but, it’s magical. It shouldn’t be missed if you are any where near the city in the coming week. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
I didn’t know this score very well until just a few months ago. I started more diligent work on the piece in January and have completely fallen in love with this incredible opera. The music is so atmospheric. The characters are delightful. And the beauty abounds. I was told I should look at this role MANY years ago but the opportunity didn’t arise until recently for that to happen. I’m glad it’s indeed happening in Cleveland.
I am so fortunate to be spending these 2-3 weeks, near the end of a long season, with two such extraordinary orchestras--clearly 2 of the world’s best.
I never get tired of this
May 09, 2014 20:16
Last night brought the first of our two “semi-staged concert performances” of “Salome”, a co-production with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera Philadelphia. As you know, I’ve sung the role of Jokanaan MANY times--it’s one of my most performed roles. There are a few roles that I’ve taken out of my repertoire because I’ve either “outgrown” them or just became a bit bored with the character. I do not believe I will ever grow tired of singing the great role of John the Baptist. It was just last month when I sang the role in Munich and here it is again. I’ll return to it again this Fall in a run of performances in Munich. My career has also had me singing the role in Chicago, Washington, London, Baden-Baden, and Matsumoto.
With some roles, you get to a point where you can “coast” a bit. You know where the pitfall are but, as time goes on, the dangers become less apparent as you learn to negotiate the hazards. I don’t know that I’ll ever become that confident with this role. I always have to concentrate on vocal technic. I have to make sure that the drama doesn’t get out of balance with the music. Doing that leads to pushing or over-singing. Not getting the balance correct can lead to a bland interpretation as well. It’s always a challenge to get things just right.
This “production” here in Philadelphia originally started as a project with just the orchestra under the leadership of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. A few of my favorite colleagues were also signed up for the engagement. Then, Opera Philadelphia, came on board as well. It was decided to do a “semi-staged” production. Let me tell you, this run is as fully staged and as wonderfully presented as any run of “Salome” I’ve ever seen or been a part of. The direction is stunning. The lighting is magical. The costumes are just right. The set is perfect. Everything comes together just right. What I like most about the set is, for the first time in my career singing this role, I’m in a staged production that allows my character to be seen for most of the opera. Usually, I’m hidden offstage or under the stage and amplified for some of my hardest singing while I’m in my dungeon. The balance never seems quite right. Because of the way the set is built for this run, I can sing unamplified and far more naturally.
But, if I didn’t say more about the great conducting of Yannick and the fabulous playing of the Philadelphia Orchestra, I would not be giving enough credit where credit is due. In short, the musicians are incredible. They bring out the wonderful motifs, the incredible colors, and the great drama that Strauss brought to this true masterpiece. It is truly shocking, at times, to hear the brutality of this score and then have the ugliness covered by some of the most romantic and lush lines ever written. Yannick is truly a master of this score and knows every corner. He is constantly bringing the orchestra and the singers to new heights and better interpretations.
I am honored to live near Philadelphia. I have not been able to spend near as much time in this city over the years as I would like. I’ve only sung a few performances of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in Philadelphia. I am hoping that this engagement will lead to many returns. Music and Art was well served last evening here in Philadelphia in this presentation of “Salome”. I hope tomorrow night will provide more of the same. Whatever the case, I’ll never grow tired of this monumental work. That could never be the case with such wonderful colleagues, musicians, and conductors joining me on the great musical and dramatic odyssey that is this opera.
With some roles, you get to a point where you can “coast” a bit. You know where the pitfall are but, as time goes on, the dangers become less apparent as you learn to negotiate the hazards. I don’t know that I’ll ever become that confident with this role. I always have to concentrate on vocal technic. I have to make sure that the drama doesn’t get out of balance with the music. Doing that leads to pushing or over-singing. Not getting the balance correct can lead to a bland interpretation as well. It’s always a challenge to get things just right.
This “production” here in Philadelphia originally started as a project with just the orchestra under the leadership of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. A few of my favorite colleagues were also signed up for the engagement. Then, Opera Philadelphia, came on board as well. It was decided to do a “semi-staged” production. Let me tell you, this run is as fully staged and as wonderfully presented as any run of “Salome” I’ve ever seen or been a part of. The direction is stunning. The lighting is magical. The costumes are just right. The set is perfect. Everything comes together just right. What I like most about the set is, for the first time in my career singing this role, I’m in a staged production that allows my character to be seen for most of the opera. Usually, I’m hidden offstage or under the stage and amplified for some of my hardest singing while I’m in my dungeon. The balance never seems quite right. Because of the way the set is built for this run, I can sing unamplified and far more naturally.
But, if I didn’t say more about the great conducting of Yannick and the fabulous playing of the Philadelphia Orchestra, I would not be giving enough credit where credit is due. In short, the musicians are incredible. They bring out the wonderful motifs, the incredible colors, and the great drama that Strauss brought to this true masterpiece. It is truly shocking, at times, to hear the brutality of this score and then have the ugliness covered by some of the most romantic and lush lines ever written. Yannick is truly a master of this score and knows every corner. He is constantly bringing the orchestra and the singers to new heights and better interpretations.
I am honored to live near Philadelphia. I have not been able to spend near as much time in this city over the years as I would like. I’ve only sung a few performances of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in Philadelphia. I am hoping that this engagement will lead to many returns. Music and Art was well served last evening here in Philadelphia in this presentation of “Salome”. I hope tomorrow night will provide more of the same. Whatever the case, I’ll never grow tired of this monumental work. That could never be the case with such wonderful colleagues, musicians, and conductors joining me on the great musical and dramatic odyssey that is this opera.