Figaro & Friends on the horizon

I'm really looking forward to our next concert, Figaro & Friends. Not only is it going to be at the amazing home of some wonderful folks, Dennis & Sharon Schneider, but it will be featuring 3 of our leads from Octobers production of "Le Nozze di Figaro" (The Marriage of Figaro). I remember hearing Steve Pence (Figaro) since in one of our prior productions, and I remember thinking how striking his voice was. He sang Baron Douphol in our Spring 2007 production of La Traviata. I think those of you who were there will remember!

Broadway by the Sea recap

Oh, my, what a great day! The weather was just lovely - sunny but not too hot - and the music - well, it was one of the most memorable concerts I've attended with PRO. Of course the Chapman House grounds were just perfect - the begonias were in full bloom and the gardens were groomed to a 'T'. Even the pelicans cooperated by flying by from time-to-time.

Sarah Kleeman's humorous rendition of "Taylor, the Latte Boy" was definitely a favorite! Paul Sahuc's wonderful baritone graced us with such favorites as "Impossible dream", and Ross Halper's musical antics had us in stitches. Robert Ashens' talented accompaniment was just the perfect foil to the day - even before the concert, we got to enjoy his wonderful gifts.

Last Minute Excitement!

Robert (Ashens, our Artistic Director) notified me that our soprano for the Broadway concert this weekend has laryngitis, and for just a few minutes, we had a problem. Then we quickly remembered a happy circumstance ... mezzo soprano Sarah Kleeman, a SLO native, is in town and was available for this weekend! She graciously agreed to step in. Sarah is currently scheduled for our Le Nozzi di Figaro next October, in the role of Cherubino, so this is a wonderful opportunity for people to not only enjoy a great afternoon in Shell Beach, but also to get to hear our Cherubino!

Saturday's Broadway by the Sea

The forecast calls for good weather - neither too hot nor too cold. But as always at Chapman House, be prepared! The sun may be bright, and it can really chill down after the fog rolls in. Especially since this is a mid-afternoon concert.

Oh, and the begonias are in full bloom! Exquisite!

The concert should be fabulous. We've added tenor Ross Halper, who PRO fans will know as a fine director, to our singers - his comic abilities will really add something to our day.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Broadway by the Sea

First a recap - An Evening in Monaco was lovely. I was so surprised at how much fun everyone was having at the gaming tables! The cabaret music in the background (GREAT singing!), and the noisy excitement from the winners (and losers!) - it just set a great tone for the evening. Very fun.

Broadway by the Sea is coming up in just a little more than a week - August 23rd. Our singers are soprano Carol Ann Manzi, baritone Paul Sahuc and tenor Ross Halper. Repertoire will include the popular greats of Broadway and operetta; light spirits will float on the sea breezes at Chapman House!

Some selections include:

Some Enchanted Evening (SOUTH PACIFIC)
Make Believe (SHOWBOAT)
I'll see you again (BITTERSWEET, Noel Coward)

The early table seating has sold out, but we've made arrangements for a few more tables at a slightly higher price. I can't wait! If you've never been to Chapman House, you're really in for a treat.

An Evening in Monaco

I'm looking forward to tonight's event for several reasons - one: it's the last event in what has been a very loooong week, and two: I can't wait to see all that great art & jewelry that I've only been getting glimpses of in the past weeks.

I think it's going to be really nice - kind of a great way to have fun after a busy week. There's one piece of art in particular that has been in my office this week that I'm really going to miss. We already have an early bidder who can't be there tonight - I'm glad for them, as it is one of those stunning pieces that deserves a home that will appreciate it. I'm sure that just as that piece is for me, there are others for you... come and see! Our tickets are $50 in advance (call the office - I'm not there, but I'll be checking in several times today) to make an advance reservation, or $75 at the door.

I hope to see you there!

Tonight's Opera Camp performance

Tonight is the big night for the 2008 Opera Camp students. For the first time, these students have actually created their own opera from scratch. There is no fee, and the performance at Grace Church will begin at 7 p.m.

Here's what Robert has to say about the 'construction' process.
[Wednesday's preview at The Gardens]

"About PRO’s Summer Opera Camp 2008…..

"Since its start in 1997, the Summer Opera Camp has always featured established works, either adaptations, (such as Magic Flute, The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance), or works for youths (e.g. The Piper of Hamelin, Cinderella, Brundibar). This is the first summer that the work, The Criminal, an opera in two parts, was written by the participants themselves.

"The original plan for Summer 08 was to use Ned Rorem’s Fables, Five Short Operas, as a teaching tool and point of departure, then to have the campers write their own work. We quickly realized that Rorem’s piece was not sufficient for the current talents of the campers, so a more direct approach was employed, one which will now remain as a part of the teaching program.

"Future plans for the Summer Opera Camp will include a two-part program that enables the youngest members to “learn about opera through doing” (particularly appropriate for those who do not have experience in opera production; open to ages 7 and up) and an advanced program for more experienced singers, general age range 12-18 (entrance by audition). It is hoped that the nationally-recognized program Music, Words, Opera, created by Opera America, will become a teaching component as we “grow” PRO’s program.

"This summer’s ten-day program featured master classes that are traditionally used in colleges across the country: acting & line-reading coaching, pantomime, personalized vocal instruction, basic stage movement, improvisation, stage makeup craft, flyer design (ads), props construction, and beginning resumé & headshot instruction. The main attention, however, was given to teaching the construction of (and individual components of) an opera, using a mix of contemporary music sources and traditional, classic opera melodies.

"A special note: it is always a joy to have a graduate return as a teacher. One such person is Katelyn Holliday, who was very valuable to our team this year and we are proud of her! As the two-level program grows, the artists in the advanced program will have the opportunity to teach the beginning-level singers, which will help the younger ones and strengthen the skills of the older ones."

Major fun!

Today's concert "Opera on the Terrace" was just about the most fun I've had doing a concert yet! Great venue! Open, just a little bit of a breeze, not too hot. Nice crowd, too! Just about filled every chair (since some people sat on benches, in effect it was a sell-out!), and people seemed to really enjoy themselves. The music was just perfect - opera pops - with Robert at the keyboard... wish you all could have been there.

Our reception after the concert (at "taste" downstairs) was really great - everyone got a chance to visit with their friends, the singers, Robert... Just a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

And I got a little bonus. Lunch with the gang! The singers, Robert, Julia & I went over to a Firestone Grill for linner. dunch. Whatever that meal was - it was fun and relaxing and good food.

A new kind of Opera Camp

This year's opera camp has been such an interesting "discovery" experience for both staff and kids! Robert reports that it's coming together really nicely, with the kids really beginning to understand what it takes to create an opera from scratch. I can't wait to see it!

Tomorrow is our Opera on the Terrace concert - downtown SLO across from First Bank on Higuera. Our singers will be presenting a sort of "Best of Opera" program with pieces ranging from well-known to non-opera folks to the well-known to opera folks! From the Carmen to Pearlfishers. We still have a few seats left, so if you want a chair, you'd best come by 12:30. The concert starts at 1 p.m., and is following by a private reception at "taste". It will include a wine tasting and nibbles. If you're late, have no fear - you're still welcome to sit on the stairs and enjoy the music.

Hope to see you there!!