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Home , Bruno Bartoletti, Gianni Schicchi, Harolyn Blackwell, Morris Robinson, Renato Capecchi

OPERALEX.ORGbravo lex!FALL 2019 inside ROAD TRIP St. Louis tour a joy with , art, food, TedrinTalks Page 2

APPLAUSE Grads, students got talent, fellowship, leadership Page 3 COMEDY

Gianni Schicchi/ +tragedy Puccini's short have Where: Singletary Center for the Arts, endured, for good reason UK campus When: Oct. 11, 12 at Between 1917 and 1918, wrote three 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 13 at one-act operas with very different themes. is a 2 p.m. Now you can support shocker, Suor Angelica is a tragedy, Gianni Schicchi is a Tickets: Call us when you shop romp. Il Tabarro (The Cloak) has all but disappeared from 859.257.4929 at Amazon! Check the stage but the other two have endured. or visit out operalex.org Gianni Schicchi, Puccini's only comedy, is based www.SCFATickets. on a real person who turns up in Dante’s for com having falsified a wealthy man’s will in his own favor. In FOLLOW UKOT More on Page 7 Puccini's opera, Schicchi’s daughter Lauretta wants to on social media! Dr. Lindsay's favorite marry Rinuccio the dying man’s nephew but the couple lFacebook: UKOperaTheatre recordings fears the old man has left all his wealth to a monastery. lTwitter: UKOperaTheatre See Page 3 lInstagram: ukoperatheatre Page 2

Eric Woolsey Figaro (Aubrey Allicock), Susanna (UKOT grad Monica Dewey) in St. Louis Opera's Marriage of Figaro. OPERA IN ST. LOUIS Great trip! A group of Lexington opera-lovers led by Everett Mc- Corvey and Tedrin Blair Lindsay enjoyed a delightful six-day trip to St. Louis in June for Opera Theatre of St. Louis’s 2019 Festival Season. It was a special treat to see Monica Dewey as Su- sanna in ’s . McCorvey recruited Dewey to UK and she stud- ied with hm there. The September 2019 issue of Op- era News lauded all four operas and praised Dewey’s “feisty, principled’ characterization of Susanna as well as her "particularly clear” diction (a tribute to her long- Everett McCorvey, Tedrin Lindsay, Tesia Kwarteng, Markel time vocal coach, Dr. Lindsay). UKOT’s 2019 Metropoli- Reed, Karen Slack and Terence Blanchard. l tan District Winner Taylor Comstock sang in the chorus of ’s and was the understudy Blow. The reviewer called it “moving, sometimes - for the role of Lucano in Claudio Monteverdi’s The turbing, ultimately uplifting” in its powerful yet sensitive Coronation of Poppea. treatment of childhood sexual abuse. UKOT alumnus ' headline, “An Eloquent Memoir Sings Markel Reed, who studied with Angelique Clay, was in St. Louis,” noted the world premiere of Terence singled out as “charismatic” in the role of Chester, Blanchard’s Fire Caught Up in my Bones. We heard Charles’ seducer. Karen Slack created the role of two familiar voices in this stunning production, whose Charles’ warm-hearted mother, Billie. After hearing her by Kasi Lemmons is based on the memoir of often as a soloist with the American Spiritual Ensemble, the same title by New York Times columnist Charles M. See Page 5

BRAVOLEX! Page 3 Shocking contrast APPLAUSE! From Page 1 NEWS TO CLAP ABOUT Lauretta has one of the most beautiful arias in opera, Pearce Washington Opera Young Artist “” (“Oh, My Dear Daddy”), in Matt Pearce, 2017 graduate in Vocal Performance, which she begs her rascal of a father to find a way to recently completed his Vocal Arts Master of Music invalidate the will. This aria is familiar to opera fans, at The Juilliard School and has been chosen by the but “Rinuccio’s Aria” is crucial, because it establishes a Washington National Opera for the sense of place and time. 18th season of its Domingo-Cafritz Rinuccio gives us a sketch of Renaissance Florence, Young Artist Program, which offers some of the great artists and merchants, the arts and intensive training and mentorship sciences and the “rich and splendid” future of the city. in technique, repertoire, language, He mentions Giotto, Arnolfo di Cambio, the architect and sculptor, and “Medici the courageous merchant.” movement, finance management and The aria establishes two major poles of Florence, Matthew Pearce career development as well as extraor- the Piazza dei Signore and the Piazza Santa Croce dinary performance opportunities on the WNO main where the Basilica of Santa Croce stage and around Washington, D.C. Matt, a native of contains the tombs of Michelangelo Union, Kentucky, joins as a for his first season. and Machiavelli, as well as the The ornate, empty tomb intended simple, for Dante’s remains. Florence traditional has been awaiting their return plots have since 1321, but Ravenna, unexpected to which he was exiled, will depths. not give them back. Rinuccio ends with a salute to the new spirit, aesthetic, pragmatic and Whit Whitaker essentially modern, “Long live the newcomers and Gianni Schicchi!” Whitaker tapped to lead Lyric Theatre Suor Angelica is a tear-jerker. The aria "Senza Whit Whitaker, Vocal Performance Class of 1996, Mamma" gives the singer the opportunity to interpret and regular cast member in Grand Night for Singing an intense emotional state. The plot is a familiar one: a and many theatrical and musical venues in Central nun with a dark secret and a mysterious past must face Kentucky, has recently been appointed Executive Di- both suddenly and tragically. rector of The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center. At the beginning there is an interesting theme: Can even long-time nuns rid themselves of all worldly Day gets raves on America's Got Talent desire? These desires are for the most part innocent. UKOT doctoral candidate Callie Day competed in A former shepherdess wants to hold a lamb again. the season 14 audition of Another nun wants something good to eat. Angelica NBC's “America's Got Tal- doesn’t express her desire, but the others guess ent.” this summer. Unfortu- she wants to see her estranged family again. The nately, Day did not advance background for these conversations is peaceful as to appear on the live shows, hymns are sung and the water of a fountain shimmers. but her performance drew Puccini soothes his audience before suddenly raves and many AGT ob- shocking us; the contrast is dramatic. servers were puzzled about Callie Day The simple, traditional plots of these two operas why she was cut after her stirring performance of “Up have unexpected depths and some of the arias are to the Mountain.” Judge Jay Leno said the piano ac- musical gems. Although short, they show Puccini’s companiment was unnecessary, “because to me sure touch and offer an experience not to be missed. you are so much better than any instrument.” Dorothy Carter

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These UKOT alums will all appear in the 's , which opens in September and will be shown worldwide in live HD February 1, 2020. Left to right: Andrea Jones-Sojola, Markel Reed, Reginald Smith Jr., Makeda Hampton, Karmesha Peake, Christina Jobson, La'Shelle Allen and Denisha Ballew. PORGY and BESS . . . at Metropolitan Opera . . . at When the Metropolitan Opera’s Porgy and Bess opens September 26, it will bleed blue. A host of University of Kentucky Opera Theatre alumni will appear on the grand stage of the Metropolitan to bring this Gershwin classic – presented at UK in 2011 -- to life. Reginald Smith Jr. will appear as Jim in the opera, after playing the role of Jake in Cincinnati Opera production this summer. A host of performers familiar to Central Kentucky opera Reginald Smith Jr. fans will appear in the ensemble: La’shelle Allen, Deni- Smith, Everett McCorvey and Morris Robinson. sha Ballew, Makeda Hampton, Christine Jobson, Andrea Jones-Sojola (featured in the Spring 2019 Bravo newslet- Reginald Smith Jr., who attended UK as an Alltech ter), Karmesha Peake and Markel Reed. Scholar and went on in 2015 to win one of five spots These Kentucky graduates join Eric Owens and Angel in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Blue in the title roles and, in what the Met bills as the “all dedicated his July 28 performance as Jake in Cincin- star ensemble,” other singers include Denyce Graves, nati Opera’s Porgy and Bess to Dr. Everett McCorvey Golda Schultz, Latonia Moore, Frederick Ballentine, Al- and Morris Robinson, who played Porgy in the Cin- fred Walker and Ryan Speedo Green. cinnati production. From Smith’s Facebook post: For those planning a trip to New York to support these “Dr. Everett McCorvey has been a nurturing and car- remarkable singers, Porgy and Bess will run in Septem- ing teacher, mentor and friend since my days in un- ber and October of this year, recommencing in January dergrad at the University of Kentucky. … I met Morris 2020, with a final performance on February 1. Robinson, a , at age 17 in our hometown of If you can’t make it to New York, the final performance and he has been there for me since that day. …These will be included in the Met HD series and can be seen on gentlemen have always been there for me, and I am local theatre screens. eternally grateful for everything! Here’s to you both!!!”

BRAVOLEX! Page 5 Gardens, circus, too! From Page 2 it was a pleasure to see her on the operatic stage. Before the evening performances we enjoyed deli- cious catered picnic suppers on the grounds of Webster University, where the operas were performed in the Vir- ginia Jackson Brown Theatre. Lindsay’s informative pre-show TedrinTalks prepared us for the high points of each opera. All four operas were sung in English, an unusual feature of Opera The- atre of St. Louis, and the delightful translation of The Happenings Marriage of Figaro by the noted music critic Andrew Porter is a true treasure. 2019-2020 This trip was organized by Kate Savage (ArtsCon- nects.org). The schedule included four operas and short day trips to the St. Louis Art Museum, the Botanical October Garden and the Flora Circus. It was a busy schedule, Gianni Schicchi/Suor Angelica but each day included time for a late afternoon siesta at Where: Singletary Center our hotel, the beautiful old Sonesta Chase Park Plaza When: Oct. 11,12 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. Hotel, so we would be rested for the evening perfor- Cost: Ticketed event mances. The trip provided very good value for the price, and there are plans to offer similar small-group opera UK Vocal Competition for Young Singers trips to Santa Fe, , Philadelphia Opera and the Where: Schmidt Vocal Arts Center Glimmerglass Opera Festival in New York state. Don’t When: Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. miss out next time! Cost: Free and open to the public Mary Powell November Metropolitan District Auditions Met Auditions Where: Singletary Center The Metropolitan Opera Kentucky District Audi- When: Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. tions will once again be held in Lexington this fall. Cost: Free and open to the public Judges for the competition have December been confirmed. They are: Alltech Holiday Celebration of Song Matthew Horner, director of the vocal di- Where: The Square vision of IMG Artists in ; When: Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Dona Vaughn, artistic director of the opera pro- Cost: Free and open to the public grams at the Manhattan School of Music; and Jane Bunnell, mezzo , member of the March 2020 voice faculty at Michigan State University. Alltlech Vocal Scholarship Competition Nan McSwain will be the official Where: Singletary Center accompanist for the competition. When: March 1 at 2 p.m. The auditions will be held Saturday, No- Cost: Free and open to the public vember 16 at 11 a.m. at the Singletary Cen- April 2020 ter for the Arts on the UK campus. The Crucible For additional information, visit kymet. Where: Singletary Center org and follow on Facebook at https:// When: April 3, 4 at 7:30 p.m., April 5 at 2 p.m. www.facebook.com/kymetauditions/. Cost: Ticketed event

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Photo by Sally Horowitz Photography Gabrielle Fuqua singing "In His Eyes" from the musical Jekyll and Hyde in It's a Grand Night for Singing. SINGIN' IN THE SUMMER Students on the move, on stage Taylor Comstock was a Gerdine Young Artist at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis where he performed in several UKOT students were busy around the country and productions (see Page 4) and participated in a masterclass the world last summer, teaching, learning and thrill- featuring Harolyn Blackwell. ing audiences. Here’s a sampling of what they did. Undergraduates Gabrielle Fuqua sang in Grand Night for Singing, with solos in numbers includ- Miranda Brown, senior, visited and sang with ing “Façade,” “Dancing Queen,” “In His her family in Georgia and took classes at near- Eyes,” and “Raise You Up.” by Gordon State College in Barnesville. Carrie Moscoe also performed in Joseph Kingsbury, senior, sang Endimione in Cavalli’s La Carrie Moscoe Grand Night and in the role of Miss Calisto at the Red River Lyric Opera in Wichita Falls, Texas. Honey in Matilda the Musical at Stage Right Acting in Lexington. Chelsea Russell, junior, sang the role of Ra- chel in the premier of A Long Way Off, with the Fairynne Rogers performed in Ken- Merit Theatre Company in Cincinnati. tucky Conservatory Theatre’s Sum- merFest production of Broadway Under Catherine Zickert, junior, studied in during the Fairynne Rogers the Stars with solos in "Diva's Lament" spring semester and stayed on in Lucca for Opera Lucca, and "The Song That Goes Like This" from Spamalot. where she sang the role of Suor Osmina in Suor Angelica. Graduate students Kathrin Thawley served as Associate Music Direc- Lillian Broderick taught voice lessons in Vermont and tor for the Lexington Theatre Company for West also organized and performed in a house concert to raise Side Story and Disney's Newsies and was the voice funds to produce an opera in Vermont in the future. of the "Somewhere" ballet in .

BRAVOLEX! Page 7 TalkingwithTedrin Cynical, melodramatic, beautiful By Tedrin Blair Lindsay, PhD To supplement UKOT’s production of the Puccini double bill Gianni Schicchi/Suor Angelica, I want to devote this column to great recordings of these works, which are actually two-thirds of a triptych called Il Trit- tico. These three one-act operas begin with Il Tabarro (The Cloak), a turgid, slice-of-life drama about a woman in a loveless marriage, whose paramour is murdered by her husband. Thereafter follow Suor Angelica, a heart- breaking melodrama about a woman shut up in a convent as punishment by her family for bearing a child out of wedlock, and Gianni Schicchi, a cynical comedy about a shrewd man in Renaissance Florence who tricks a family out of their inheritance. (Our production will play the comedy first, and the melodrama second, a more satisfy- ing build-up when just these two are offered). Dr. Tedrin Lindsay There are many wonderful recordings of these three operas. First, there is the glorious “Golden Age” traversal with as the heroine in all three works, Opera 101 partnered by Robert Merrill and Mario del Monaco in The fall session of OperaLex Lectures Series: Tabarro, (as Angelica’s cruel Princess Sept. 28: Puccini: The Man and the Musician Aunt) in Suor, and in the title role of Schicchi. Recorded in 1962, this is conducted Oct. 5: In Depth with Puccini’s Il Trittico by with the orchestra of the Maggio (including Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica) Musicale Fiorentina. (London 411 665-2) Oct. 12: Puccini’s Well-Known Operas. The same orchestra conducted by Bruno Bartoletti Oct. 19: Puccini’s Lesser-Known Operas made a more recent recording, released in 1994, with Oct. 26: Tedrin’s Favorite Puccini Moments opera’s worthy successor to the great Tebaldi, the even Classes meet from 10 a.m. until noon in the Gail more wondrous Mirella Freni. Her singing of all three Robinson Music Library at UK's Schmidt Vocal heroines is generally the best on record, and her singing Arts Center. Parking is available behind the build- partners include some of the most notable vocal lumi- ing. The cost is $20 per class, $5 for students. naries of that generation like , Leo Nucci and Roberto Alagna. (London 436 261-2) Another fine recording boasts the legendary in Il Tabarro and Schicchi and the lovely Victoria de Los this opera with Katia Ricciarelli in the title role and the Angeles in Angelica and Schicchi, with the grand Fedora redoubtable as the Princess Aunt, with Barbieri as the Princess Aunt. Recorded with the Rome Bartoletti conducting the RCA Italiana orchestra. It is an Opera under three different conductors in three years exquisite interpretation of this work, the last 20 minutes (1956, 1958 and 1959), this was the go-to complete Il of which I consider to be the most beautiful music ever Trittico until Tebaldi’s. (EMI 7 64165 2) A 1979 Il Trittico written for any opera. I wish it were released on CD, be- with again different conductors leading different orches- cause I would personally buy a copy for every student in tras (Rotterdam and Vienna) offers such notable singers UKOT. It’s that good! However, there are also renditions of that era as Renato Bruson, Marilyn Zschau, Pilar Lo- of Suor Angelica by with Christa Ludwig rengar and Renato Capecchi. (Bella Voce 107-406) from 1973 (London 289 458 218-2) and Lucia Popp with Although the Bartoletti/Freni Il Trittico is probably the Marjana Lipovsek from 1988 (Eurodisc 7806-2-RC) for very best available, I cherish the gorgeous rendition of those who can’t get enough! FALL 2019 Page 8 Non Profit Org US Postage www.operalex.org PAID Permit No. 1478 Publisher: Operalex Editor: Jacalyn Carfagno Lexington, KY Copy editor: Sylvia Davis Fall 2019, Vol. 19, No. 1 P.O. Box 8463 Lexington, KY 40533-8463

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