I’m still coming down from the high of performing Il Combattimento this weekend, and getting to do it with some of my favorite people. Also fun was the surprise (to me) of having it videotaped for broadcast on WHYY. (There were five robotic cameras stationed about the theater.) I also did my first television interview ever on Saturday afternoon as part of the production. It is my understanding that it will air sometime in September.
All in all, I think it was a better production than the Inquirer review suggests, though he was clearly complimentary to the musical side of things. The audience was clearly appreciative, and the few Italian speakers among them were absolutely raving about the show, including a bilingual young girl who gushed to me for several minutes about both the music and the puppets.
I also got word that WHYY radio will be in Bethlehem next weekend to tape my performance with the Bach Choir. No word yet on when that will air. Fortunately, when it does air, it should be easily accessible to even those outside the Philadelphia area, since WHYY’s radio broadcasts are also streamed online.
I’ve been remiss at keeping this updated, but I’m headed to Philly shortly for another concert with Tempesta di Mare, the Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra. This one will be a first for me in several ways.
For one, I’ve never been a participant in a puppet opera before.
Secondly, it will be the first time I’ve sung the role of Testo (the narrator) in Monteverdi’s Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda. In fact, the role is often sung by tenors. However, the written notes span roughly from middle C to a baritone high G, so it still fits nicely within my range. It will require some stamina, though. The piece lasts about 20 minutes, and I sing for most of that time.
It will be nice to be back in Philly, where I really began my career. (I grew up across the river in Cherry Hill.) It will be especially nice to stay again in South Philly by the Italian market! It’s changed a lot from what I remember in my teenage years, but I eagerly await the great Chinese food that is now in the neighborhood, and I’ll still look forward to clogging my arteries with some Tastyklairs.
Performances are March 7, 8, and 9 at the Plays and Players Theater on Delancy. See website (above) for more details. Come hear me spit out Italian at 100 miles an hour! The concert also features Aaron Sheehan as Tancredi and Marguerite Krull as Clorinda.
Also worth noting that I’ll be singing Bach Cantatas 182 and 31 with The Bach Choir of Bethlehem the following weekend. People come from all over the country to see these performances, so it’s definitely worth a trip if you’re nearby. Other soloists include Laurie Heimes, Leslie Johnson and Stephen Ng.
