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BRAVOBRAVO!! Lexington Society Newsletter Vol. 11 No. 3 Spring 2012

WhatA Grand N ightgrand for Singing nightsPrelude, Lexington's ahead! best party, celebrates 20th anniversary is getting even better this year In 1993 two professors at the University of Lexington’s best party is getting better. Kentucky, one voice and one "Prelude to It's a Grand Night for theater, had an idea. Why Singing" has been distinguished not, they thought, present a for a decade by the outstanding Broadway revue using voice selection of wines for tasting students and community furnished by The Liquor Barn to members? It would be a accompany the gourmet food. good town-gown activity This year spirits and beer will be and give the classically- added to the tastings, promising trained students a chance to an even more festive occasion! loosen up, dance a bit, and Returning to the Singletary develop another set of mar- Center for the Arts on UK’s cam- ketable performance skills. pus, guests will have two hours Although the voice teach- beginning at 6:30 to sample the er, Everett McCorvey, and food and drink while placing his dean, Rhoda Gale Pol- their bids on myriad silent auc- lock, agreed the thing was tion items. The list continues to sure to lose money, they grow but it will include exquisite decided to put on the show. one-of-a kind jewelry, unique Everything went fine wine and food baskets from until the night of the only Liquor Barn, gift certificates for performance. The open- everything from restaurants ing had to be delayed to massages to voice lessons 20 minutes so people and tickets for a box at Keene- lined up out the door of the Singletary land or to at . Center could buy tickets to the show. At 8:30 the party will move into the Re- It’s a Grand Night for Singing was off cital Hall to hear a sampling of songs from and running and it has not stopped since. the upcoming Grand Night and the added In 20 years it has grown from one night See Page 5 to two full weekends, from a cast of 21 to over 70, from a doubtful economic "Prelude" ticket information proposition to one of the financial pil- "Prelude to It's a Grand Night for Singing" lars of the lauded UK opera program. Singletary Center for the Arts, May 19, 6:30 p.m. Tickets at http://www.lexingtonopera.com See Page 2 Page 2

The 2011 cast sings "The Brotherhood of Man" from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Grand Night: 20 years, 1,100 singers, 700 songs From Page 1 see page 4); Phumzile Sojola and Andrea Jones So- “We have presented over 700 numbers in the jola, who are currently on Broadway in Porgy and 20-year history of Grand Night and we have had Bess; and Reshma Shetty, who is currently star of over 1,100 singers and 400 different orchestra the television show Royal Pains,” McCorvey said. members in the cast,” McCorvey Lexington Herald-Leader arts writer Rich Co- pley wrote about the 10th Grand recounted. “That’s pretty amazing!” Ticket information Night that several singers invited This year, as rehearsals get un- Where: Singletary Center derway for the 20th anniversary for the Arts, UK Campus back to perform in that anniversary Grand Night, the show has long When: 7:30 p.m. June 8, 9, show were booked up in musical since established itself as a “must 15, 16; 2 p.m. June 10, 17 productions across the nation and see” for hundreds. Each Grand Tickets: Purchase at Single- could not join the cast. “Success Night has a theme and this year it tary box office, online at does have its price,” Copley noted. will be the greatest hits from the http://www.uky.edu/SCFA It is a price McCorvey is willing to first 19 years. “Last year we had or call (859) 257-4929. pay. “The reason that Jim Rodgers audience members fill out cards (Processing fees apply.) (the theater professor) and I started to tell us what some of their fa- Grand Night was to produce a show vorite selections were,” McCorvey that challenged the opera singers to explained. Some favorites included Hairspray, dance, sell a Broadway song, and become more "Hey, Big Spender," and the Jersey Boys medley. flexible in body and in singing a tune. It has been And how has Grand Night performed as a teach- successful well beyond my wildest dreams.” ing tool? “From the cast we have had singers who Longtime Grand Night fans seem to be ea- have gone on to stardom including Jennifer Fair, ger to pay to see the stars of tomorrow. Ticket a regular on the circuit (for more on Fair, sales have been brisk since they began in April.

BRAVO! Page 3 Musician, teacher New vocal coach brings many talents, experiences to the job Composer. Conductor. Accompanist. ous opportunity to maintain quality,” he said. Coach. UKOT’s new vocal coach, John Greer, For him, this is a chance to learn what goes is a man of many interests and talents. into building and maintaining a program at this Greer believes the breadth of his experience level. Greer is especially impressed by the supe- allows him to bring unique perspectives to his rior recruiting of young singers, made possible work. As a composer, he feels he can offer a through support from Alltech and others. personal approach to the works of other com- Greer’s musical influences are eclectic and nu- posers. He sees a “theatrical sensibility” to the merous. They include Bach and Mozart along opera stage that sometimes is not emphasized. with Menotti, Gilbert and Sullivan, and Stephen And he hopes to bring “the attention to detail,” Sondheim. His favorite are The Marriage usually confined to recital work, to the operatic of Figaro, Così fan tutte, and The stage through his work with young singers. Magic Flute. He also talks about Puccini, Verdi, A native of Canada, Greer grew up in a musical , and French operas. Among his family. He began playing the piano, ever-present own compositions are two operas for children. in his home, by age six, and singing in the church Greer hopes that the variety of his musical ex- choir soon after. He spent much time with sing- perience will encourage his students to explore ers as a piano and composition student at the many aspects of their art. One of his main goals University of Manitoba. To expand his musical is “to raise stylistic awareness and make students horizons, Greer continued his education at the realize the parameters of that expression.” He has University of Southern California. He also served particular interest in “the creative aspect of orga- as general manager and head of music at the nization in bel canto and coloratura literature.” Brevard Music Center in North Carolina during Being a vocal the summers and worked on the music staffs of coach is excit- Glimmerglass and Chautauqua Opera programs. ing, he said, Greer believes his new position at UK chose because each him rather than the reverse. He had heard of the singer is “a vocal program at UK but did not understand its different amal- strength and character until he came to inter- gamation of view. Once here, he was impressed by the great talents. It is vision and work of Everett McCorvey in bring- extremely re- ing this program to its present high quality. warding work.” Greer said the atmosphere and energy in the UK vocal department are inspiring. “The students —­ By Anne Taul are astonishingly talented. They are so curious about all kinds of repertoire and open to explor- ing new things.” He appreciates the blending of operatic and styles and finds it reward- John Greer ing to help students discover styles suited to joined their voices that further their creative growth. UKOT as As the new head vocal coach, he sees the vocal coach UK program poised at a wonderful moment of this year. growth. “Managing that expansion is a marvel- Spring 2012 Page 4 Jennifer Fair High Cs

UKOTon graduate the Jennifer H Fairigh has taken S hereas talent around the world as a singer and cabaret artiste on cruise lines. Lexington Opera Society board member Sylvia Davis caught up with Fair in New Zealand to learn how the singer developed this unique career path and how her time at UK helped her prepare for it.

A few years ago, while based in NYC and travel- ing around to various singing jobs, I decided that I wanted to find a way to travel abroad, sing, get paid for it, and create something of my own all at the same time. After a lot of brainstorming, hard work, and creative thinking, I came up with a theme for a show, hired an arranger for the songs that I wanted to sing, and wrote a script for what I wanted to say. Then I put together a DVD of show clips from a live Audience participation for "Mein Herr Marquis" performance and pitched my promotional materi- for seven days, then disembark in Tahiti. I'll fly als to an agent who began booking me as a solo home for six days and then on to Panama for headline act on various cruise lines in the industry. another job, and so the cycle continues. I chose as the theme for the main show, “The This pattern allows for some sense of “abnor- Leading Ladies: A Celebration of mal normalcy” as well the possibility to freelance Divas.” This was a vessel for launch- other jobs or book the show in another venue ing the languages, cultures and when opportunity knocks and time allows. musical genres of some of the great- I have been fortunate enough to see the - est leading ladies of our time. It ate tango in Buenos Aires, the Sydney Philharmonic allows me, for example, to sing a at The Sydney Opera House, the Sphinx and Pyra- tribute to Edith Piaf and then turn Fair mids in Cairo, the ruins of Pompeii, the Acropolis, around and celebrate the popular to go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef and Bora songs associated with Sarah Bright- Bora, to ride a gondola in Venice and, most memo- man or a famous aria of one of Puccini’s heroines. rably, to enjoy tours of Antarctica by Zodiac land- After receiving an undergraduate degree in Mu- ing while experiencing the serenity of nature in its sic Education ('96) and a Masters in Voice ('98) most perfect organic state. Name a “bucket list” from the UK School of Music, this seemed like destination and chances are a ship will go there. the natural thing after all those musicals, operas, Most important, with the opportunity to sing for au- opera scene programs, revues and choral con- diences from all over the world, I am able to experi- certs both professionally and during my formative ence firsthand the magical power of the international years with UKOT, including many Grand Nights. language of music, which is the truly the greatest gift I am typically away for a week or so at a time. of all. “Wherever your heart is, that is where you will I have just flown to New Zealand, will stay here find your treasure.” (Paulo Coehlo, The Alchemist) BRAVO! Page 5

Baritone NicholasGraduates Davis, who studied singwith aroundGoverness in Benjamin the Britten’s world Turn of the Screw and Dr. Angelique Clay, will do graduate work at Belinda in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. She was also a the University of Michigan. This summer he featured soloist in Grand Night. will sing Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Colline in La Bohème for the Janeic Opera Rachel Sterrenberg, who studied Company of the Brevard Music Center. with Dr. Everett McCorvey, will work toward a While at UK, Nicholas was a soloist with the UK master's degree at the Curtis Institute of Music, Chorale and bass soloist in Haydn’s Missa Sancti studying with Mikael Eliasen and Marlena Malas. Nicolai and the Mozart Missa in C. He performed A native of Madison, GA, she came to UK as the Papageno in (Undergraduate first place recipient of the 2008 Alltech Under- Studio, 2010) and the Pirate King graduate Vocal Competition. She in The Pirates of Penzance (Under- has appeared as Dana Kelso in River graduate Studio, 2011). Last sum- of Time, the First Lady in The Magic mer he delighted audiences as Go- Flute (Undergraduate studio), and mez in “When You’re An Addams” Musetta in La Bohème. Other credits in It’s a Grand Night for Singing! include La Ciesca in Gianni Schic- chi, and Mary Warren in The Crucible Soprano Ashley Jackson, who Clockwise with the Chautauqua Music Festival. studied with the late Gail Robinson from upper She sang Juliette in UKOT’s produc- and Cynthia Lawrence, will attend left: Davis, tion of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette in La Musica Lirica in Italy this summer, Jackson and the fall of 2011, and most recently Sterrenberg where she will perform Fortuna in performed Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte L'incoronazione di Poppea and under- with the Hamilton-Fairfield Sym- study Musetta in La Bohème. Upon phony Orchestra in Hamilton, Ohio. returning to the U.S., Ashley will per- Rachel was a winner of the Kentucky District form at the Atlantic Music Festival, Waterville, ME. Metropolitan National Council Auditions last fall While at UK, Ashley performed Pamina in The and won the Encouragement Award at the Metro- Magic Flute (Undergraduate Studio), Gapka Gap- politan National Council Mid-South Regional Com- kanovna in the world premiere of Schnauzer’s With petition this spring. Other honors include the 2009 Such Friends, as well as Sister Sarah and Nancy Peterson Vocal Competition and the Strauss Award Miller in the world premiere of Joseph Baber’s River in the 2011 Orpheus National Vocal Competition. of Time. She also performed the partial roles of the ­— By Madeleine Baugh

Prelude: One-of-a-kind chances to travel, dine, imbibe excitement of the live auction. The featured to 39. Call 859-338-7112 or email lsnewsome@ item of the evening is a one-of-a-kind collec- demovellan.com for further information. tion of Maker’s Mark bottles, sure to attract The Lexington Opera Society exists to support some serious bidding. The hammer will also go the UK Opera Theater program and "Prelude," down on a gourmet dinner for eight prepared more than just a great party with exquisite auc- by Portofino’s, a one-week time share at the tion items, is LOS’ primary fund-raising event Club Regina in Cabo San Lucas, and a week in annually. So come to have a great time with food, a three-bedroom penthouse in St. Maarten. drink, and music and bring your checkbook to Tickets are $100 each, $75 each for pur- have a chance at some of the outstanding items chases of four, or more and $50 for patrons 21 and support these talented young singers.

Spring 2012 Page 6

Young students have fun learning to dance, sing, entertain. Lexington Opera Society Calendar May mance Camp: If Toys Could Talk "Prelude to It's A Grand Night for Singing!" July 16-29 Broadway Bound Middle School Singletary Center for the Arts, University of Musical: Who's Bad? Kentucky campus. July 23-27 High School Academy for Solo May 19, 6:30 p.m. Voice Ticketed event. July 30-Aug 3 Junior Academy for Solo Voice JUNE October It’s a Grand Night for Singing! The Phantom of the Opera Singletary Center, UK Campus Lexington Opera House June 8, 9, 15, 16, 7:30 p.m. October 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 7:30 p.m. June 10, 17, 2 p.m. October 7, 13, 14 2 p.m. Ticketed event. Ticketed event. JULY NOVEMber Academy for Creative Excellence: District Auditions One- and two-week vocal, acting and dance Memorial Hall, UK Campus training camps for 1st-8th grades. Details November 17. and registration materials at: Free. academyforcreativeexcellence.com July 2-7 Broadway Bound Conservatory: For tickets call: Creativity Incorporated Singletary events: 859.257.4929 July 9-14 Broadway Bound Junior Perfor- Opera House events: 859.233.3535

BRAVO! Page 7 Tedrin’s Recording Corner Grand, golden musicals By Tedrin Blair Lindsay, PhD way scores, but in my opinion the single greatest recorded rendition When the months wind around to of a musical classic. With May and June, I always steep myself Broadway stars and in Broadway musicals to help stay Luker as Tommy and Fiona, in Grand Night mode. For this col- this magical show comes to life on umn, I would like to turn you on to the sound waves and will lodge per- a few recordings of classic Golden manently in your heart. Just to hear Age musicals made in more re- tenor John Mark Ainsley sing “Come cent years using operatic forces. To Me, Bend To Me” whenever you These projects of revis- want to is worth the purchase price. iting important American Other excellent conductors have set show scores are usually their sights on reviving worthy Broad- conductor-driven. One way scores. John Mauceri is at the of the most active of helm of an exciting rendition of the these conductor/curators Gershwins’ Strike Up the Band, also is John McGlinn, whose starring Brent Barrett and Rebecca Dr. Lindsay work with the Luker (Elektra Nonesuch 79273-2, Sinfonietta has produced 1991), and leads Thom- three especially elegant recordings. as Hampson, Audra McDonald, and First is his complete !, star- in a charming perfor- ring and Jerry mance of Bernstein’s Hadley as Magnolia and Ravenal, and (EMI 56753, 1999). Last but not least, as Julie (EMI 49108, the dean of Broadway music direc- 1988). What this Show Boat! may tors, , has assembled lack in Broadway verve, it more than a magnificent operatic all-star cast makes up for with symphonic sweep, accompanied by the American The- and it’s wonderful to hear Jerome atre Orchestra for a superlative Man Kern’s full score with all its gorgeous of La Mancha (Sony Classical 46436, incidental music as well as its beloved 1996). Plácido Domingo in the title songs. McGlinn also leads a spectacular role heads a list of singers which also complete Kiss Me, Kate with Thomas includes Julia Migenes, Samuel Ra- Hampson and at mey, , Carolann Page, the head of the cast, and the sparkling and Rosalind Elias, and Mandy Pat- brilliance of ’s music and inkin as a hilarious, touching Sancho lyrics is well-served in the full context Panza. If you need inspiration, you of its Shakespearean double-story need to hear Domingo’s interpreta- (EMI 54033, 1990). As wonderful as tion of “The Impossible Dream.” these two recordings are, McGlinn out- Let a show tune fill does himself with Lerner and Loewe’s your heart and make it a (Angel 54481, 1992). This whole grand summer for singing! is not only one of the most beautiful of all Broad-

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