Cal Performances Operatic Line-up 2009-10

Cal Performances in Berkeley generally boasts a stellar line-up of operatic recitalists and their 2009-10 season is no exception:  Christine Brewer, soprano (9/22/09); Michael Schade, tenor (10/18/09); Nuccia Focile, soprano & David Lomeli, tenor (11/15/09); Renee Fleming, soprano (12/04/09); Ian Bostridge, tenor (3/21/10); Saimir Pirgu, tenor (4/11/10).  For more information go to : http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/presents/season/2008/

My pick as the most interesting singers to hear:

The latest tenor sensation: Saimir Pirgu scheduled for Traviata with Natalie Dessay in Santa Fe this summer and making his Met debut next season in  Gianni Schicchi ( Il Trittico) and La Traviata. See you tube below

Michael Schade, tenor.. A beautifully interesting voice.

David Lomeli, tenor…a rising tenor star and an Adler Fellow in SF this year.

“The Audition” Bravo!!

After watching the trailer for ” The Audition”  for a year or more preceding each offering by Metropolitan Opera in HD at the cinema, the documentary film finally arrived and more than lived up to its hype. Filmed during the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition Finals, the film tracks a number of young opera singer hopefuls who have made it through numerous cuts only to face the final verdict and a chance to sing live on the Met Stage and move a step closer to stardom.

The six winners displayed outstanding talent and confirmed for me the dedication, passion and sacrifice it takes to be a great Opera star. It was fascinating to see the behind the scenes interviews not only with the contestants but also with the Met staff, who come across as nothing but supportive and caring.  Maestro Marco Armiliato, the conductor, must be a singer’s best friend.

One only hopes that the Met decides to make the Finals a live feature of their HD cinema presentations each year. Here are a few You Tube clips  including “The Audition” trailer (with the most talented tenor Ryan Smith, who sadly died of cancer this past year),  the personable 2007 winner, tenor Alek Shrader, singing Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore at San Francisco Opera, 2007 winner, tenor Michael Fabiano, in a concert version of Che gelida manina from La Boheme and one of the 2009 winners, soprano,Nadine Sierra, (age 20)singing a ravishing Se come voi piccina io fossi from Puccini’s early opera Le Villi.