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Friday, October 30, 2009 | 12:23 PM
With all the changes in the weather lately, it seems like everyone in New York is reaching for tissues and hand sanitizer. But although we all may get a bit fidgety when the person sitting next to us on the subway starts coughing or sneezing, there are few professions that require more health-consciousness than being an opera singer. Since we've been interviewing the cast of Don Giovanni lately for an upcoming behind-the-scenes video, we got their opinions on how to survive cold & flu season singer-style.
- "It is all about sleep. That is number one, really and truly," says Daniel Okulitch, who plays Don Giovanni. If you're well rested, he says, you can handle situations that could leave you prone to sickness, like riding the subway or touching props that may have been coughed on...kissing your costars in rehearsal doesn't help, either. His castmates all put being well-rested near the tops of their lists.
- When Gregory Turay, who's singing Don Ottavio, says to "eat right," he has very specific ideas of what it means. Only fruit in the mornings, sushi, veggies, no dairy, starches, sugars, or carbs. "You want to make your body as alkaline as possible," Turay says, "so the viruses don't have an opportunity to thrive." He also recommends tea with lemon, honey and cayenne pepper when you're feeling under the weather.
- "I've used three things to keep me healthy: sleep, Zicam, and chocolate" says Joélle Harvey, who's playing Zerlina. "Definitely chocolate. I don't know about health benefits, but it makes everything feel better."
- Amanda Pabyan, who's covering the role of Donna Anna, has to be the one left standing when everyone gets sick. What's her secret? "Swish with pineapple extract and water when you feel that scratch on your throat. You can also buy it in pill form. The extract is a homeopathic anti-inflammatory and the juice takes the sting away from a sore throat."
Other popular answers from the whole cast were to exercise regularly and wash your hands frequently. "Basically, take care of yourself and be considerate of your colleagues," says Amanda Pabyan, "if one person is sick, it's really easy to pass it from person to person."
Monday, October 26, 2009 | 12:14 PM
Joyce DiDonato
Playbill Arts recently interviewed Joyce DiDonato, who will be appearing here next week in our American Voices concert. Click here to read the interview.
Friday, October 23, 2009 | 12:54 PM
Greetings Shoppers!
It's Dame Lori, writing in to report that October is the Spookiest Month for us at City Opera Thrift Shop...there is so much scary great fun going on.
Last week we celebrated with The Costume Event--what an astonishing evening! Over 200 Vintage Costumes donated from the warehouse were on sale...ball gowns, beggars gowns, faustian frocks, flamenco frills, gas masks and cod pieces, too. When the doors opened, the crowds flew in from alll over the world and fled
through to scoop up these amazing pieces. Hauling out 4 huge bags of costumes were the owners and special effects wizard of Blood Manor, NYC's Most Haunted House, ecstatic over the scary ripped beggars rags they scored to style their monsters and freaks. On a higher, more sophisticated plane, our friends and devotees, Sophie Eustache and Pamela Meurice, were all aglow in their fine costuming stylings preparing for next year's Carnivale in Venice- their 12th season in a row!
Oh readers, how I LOVE VINTAGE....and it's coming to City Opera Thrift Shop next Wednesday evening from
5-9:00 pm. Vintage is how I have been able to dress and style myself and it's definitely how I developed my Soul Style. Finding one piece of vintage can spiritually, emotionally and physically change your personality in a heartbeat. We have hundreds of pieces that can instantly transform a depressed unemployed customer into a courtesan strolling down The Avenue des Champs-Elysees for less than $50!
I enter the orchestra pit of the basement to explore the VINTAGE scene and bump into Jay Thompson, the leader and genius behind everything genius at the store. Jay knows the power of each piece and sums up this event brilliantly, "VINTAGE is a very fun hodge podge event and big treasure hunt! "
Aha, I see the hodging and podging happening in front of my eyes...silk mandarin dresses and robes, batiks from Bali, ponchos from Mexico, sexy mumus and hostess gowns. And as I touch each piece, I imagine all the designers inspired by them....Vivienne Tam, Anna Sui,Todd Oldham, Moschino, Isaac Mizrahi and so on and so on. And now the little treasures....the gorgeous designers who are resting their souls....Bill Blass, YSL, Chanel and Pauline Trigere all waiting for you, mixed in with other precious designs for you to touch and be visually and sensually inspired. And the furs, always the furs..how 'bout a stole for a steal at $75? Don't forget the endless accessories, big and chunky is the look or dainty and demure....however you want it--VINTAGE will personalize your look with the add on of ONE PIECE and it's CHEAP!
For the bigger treasures, I go upstairs to a little sideroom where I find the handsome Jeremy Forbis, assistant manager sporting a new facial style....a beard! Which makes him very profound when he says..."Imagine ABC Carpet & Home with Thrift Shop Prices." I pull a few images out of him... vintage teak, 70's chrome and glass, lucite, 50's daybed. Thank you, Jeremy...what's next- a handlebar mustache?
And as I exit, I fix my eyes on a brand new feature at the Shop- Lana Weiss, a 22 year old fashion designer, vintage lover and recent college graduate who just moved to NYC from Illinois to land a job at Vogue's favorite highest quality thrift shop. Wearing a classic vintage red top and blue skirt, this talented young woman gushed that she is "really really really excited about next Wednesday!"
Fashion History Continues.
Classic designs never go out of style.
Everything old is new again.
Join the Vintage Revolution on October 28.
5:00-9:00 pm
City Opera Thrift Shop
222 E. 23 St., , between 2nd & 3rd Avenue
So come join our team of experts on hand...I will be hosting, along with a special slew of vintage soul stylsts on hand to assist you. Always Yours, Dame Lori
Friday, October 23, 2009 | 11:29 AM
We're less than two weeks away from opening night, and everyone's abuzz! Check out what the press is saying about New York City Opera this week:
(Ok, not from this week, but worth watching anyway)
Also, tune in to channel Thirteen at 12:00pm on Sunday, to watch an interview with George Steel on this weekend's SundayArts.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 | 3:39 PM
Sara Krulwich/The New York Times
The New York Times published an article yesterday about artist E.V. Day's installation, which will be on view in the David H. Koch theater throughout our fall and spring seasons. Our favorite quote:
“This is couture,” [Ms. Day] said, pointing out the intricate, tiny beadwork on a dress, details that would probably be lost even to operagoers in the first row. “There are no glue guns with these clothes, no Bedazzlers. These are all hand-stitched. It's an art form.”
Click here to read the article or check out the fantastic slide show.
Friday, October 16, 2009 | 4:41 AM
Where the Wild Things Are, 1987
It's hard not to get a little nostalgic for your childhood with all of the trailers running for the new movie of Where the Wild Things Are, opening this weekend. Certain childhood books, like The Little Prince, Where the Wild Things Are, Little Women, and anything by Dr. Seuss, have a way of staying with us long after we have put other childish things away. It's no wonder, then, that modern composers have turned to many of these childhood classics when looking for inspiration for a new opera.
New York City Opera performed Oliver Knussen's opera of Where the Wild Things Are in the fall of 1987, and some of our staff are now debating whether this beloved children's story makes for a better movie or a better opera. We'll have to see! If you want to compare along with us, there's a DVD sale going on now so you can get 25% off the purchase of any DVD in our gift shop. Why not get a DVD of the City Opera production of Where the Wild Things Are, and The Little Prince and spend a weekend with your inner child?
For the DVD Sale, click here and enter code: DVD25.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 | 9:30 AM
The next tenor to approach Canio in Pagliacci could learn a thing or two from Bello Nock. The star clown of the Big Apple Circus performed a "skywalk" high-wire stunt yesterday from the portico of the David H. Koch theater to the roof of Avery Fisher Hall. The City Opera staff gathered on the portico to watch with bated breath and to ponder how exactly you wish a tightrope-walker luck when he walks by (surely "break a leg" is inappropriate?). Here are some pictures from the stunt:
The task at hand (a little hard to see in the picture but still daunting)
We had prime seats, Bello came right past us on his way to the wire.
One step at a time
Success!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 | 7:12 AM
Due to a high demand for Esther, we are very excited to be adding a performance on Tuesday, November 17th at 8pm.
For tickets and information, click here.
Thursday, October 1, 2009 | 8:46 AM
Doyle New York will be holding an auction of Beverly Sills' Estate next Wednesday, October 7th. Beverly loved to shop for art and antiques, and a number of the items up for sale were purchased while on tour with New York City Opera or here in New York with her friends and coworkers. Our staff has been flipping through the catalogue and spotting items that have their own sentimental value for us, so it's not uncommon to hear "there's the fur coat she leant me on that freezing cold night on tour," or "I was there when she bought that painting" while walking through the halls.
From Doyle's website:
Doyle New York is honored to auction the Estate of Beverly Sills. One of the world's greatest coloratura sopranos, Beverly Sills was also a tireless champion for the arts, an advocate for people with disabilities, a much beloved New Yorker, and a devoted wife and mother. With her tremendous talent and generosity, vitality and charm, she won the hearts of the American public and opera lovers worldwide. Beverly Sills' remarkably diverse collection comprises over 460 lots of fine art, furniture, decorations, jewelry, Judith Leiber handbags, photographs, costume designs and opera memorabilia from her home overlooking New York's Central Park.
We're sure many fans will be "bubbling" over this opportunity to acquire pieces of opera history, and donations to New York City Opera's archives will not be turned away!
For more information, click here.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 | 6:58 AM
We've posted a new episode of this Moment in Opera with special guest Charles Kondek, notable playwright and librettist of Esther. Listen here or subscribe to This Moment in Opera on Itunes to find out:--Which line Charles Kondek wrote on the fly that made it into the opera
--Exactly how exacting Hugo Weisgall could be as a collaborator
--Why Weisgall almost didn't write Esther
--How it feels for a librettist to watch their words leave their hands in the rehearsal process.
All this and more in episode 13 of This Moment in Opera.
For more information on Esther, click here.
Friday, September 25, 2009 | 12:58 PM
Broadwayworld.com recently wrote about our Exploding Couture exhibit by artist E.V. Day. In this piece, "a series of dynamic sculptures made from a selection of vintage City Opera costumes and costume accessories will be dramatically suspended overhead in exuberant simulated motion." The work will be premiered at our opening night gala and American Voices concert and will be on view through our fall and spring season. You can be sure to read more about it right here as the piece develops.
The Independent just posted a great article on Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-with-the-mostest who sang the role of Sister Helen Prejean in our production of Dead Man Walking a few years ago, and who has had a lot of (well-deserved) attention lately for carrying on her performances of Rosina despite a broken leg. Joyce will be returning to City Opera for our American Voices concert on November fifth.
And finally, not exactly NYCO-related but very dear to our hearts...
A view of the iconic Lincoln Center fountain today from our balcony.
...the fountain is returning to Lincoln Center next week!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 | 4:38 PM
Run-ins happen all the time around the Koch Theater, especially now that our artists and rehearsal staff are returning to get ready for the fall season. Still, this blogger wasn't expecting my discovery while we were taking pictures for the construction update post yesterday. There on the promenade was a massive collection of pianos that seemed to keep growing as we watched.
Pianos on Parade
It turns out there's going to be a piano sale at the Koch Theater this Thursday through Sunday, and the company behind it, Piano Clearing House of Westchester, is run by NYCO Alum Christopher Pfund. Chris covered the role of Emilio when Partenope first came to New York City Opera, and originated the role of Goro in Mark Lamos' production of Madama Butterfly when it premiered at Glimmerglass.
Christopher Pfund
Chris says that he's found the perfect balance in his life between a career in singing and having a steady day job. He sings as a soloist with orchestras across the country, including the Philadelphia, Houston, and Pittsburgh Orchestras. When he's not travelling to perform, his days include coming in to work and practicing first thing (he rotates which piano he uses, of course!), spending his days surrounded by music, and going home to his wife (also a singer) and three children, all of whom love music passionately. Chris began as a pianist before learning to sing, and he especially loves hand-built and rare pianos.
When I asked what he'd be seeing this season at City Opera, there was little on the menu that was off his list. "Of course I'll want to see Partenope and Butterfly again," he said, "It was such a special experience working in Butterfly with [Mark Lamos] at Glimmerglass. I miss him. He's so great, I'll have to see L'Étoile, too...and I did [Weisgall's] Six Characters in search of an Author when I was at Manhattan School of Music so I would love to see Esther."
The piano sale is happening in partnership with the Koch Theater, New York City Opera, New York City Ballet, Kawai Pianos, and Piano Clearing House of Westchester with about 150 pianos on sale ranging from $1,500 to $100,000. You can make an appointment to view the pianos Thursday-Saturday by calling 888.405.7888 or just come by the Koch Theater anytime on Sunday.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 | 2:06 PM
According to the countdown clock on the homepage, we're only 44 days from our opening night American Voices concert and gala, making us officially in the home-stretch for the current construction on the David H. Koch theater. There have been tons of changes since our last construction update post: the new seats are almost completely installed, the bathrooms and dressing rooms are being updated, and some of the finishing touches, like new carpet, are already in place. Take a look:
Can we save you a front row seat?
A view of the orchestra from above. Check out those aisles!
A very different scene from our last update
There's still plenty to do
We've rolled out the (brand new) red carpet for you
More carpet waits to be installed on the orchestra level
Where will you be on opening night?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 | 10:16 AM
George Steel was recently featured in Edible Manhattan. Read all about tacos, caviar, and the woes of searching for good barbecue in New York by clicking here.
George with his son Alexander. Photo by Jennifer Becker
"Putting on a great meal is putting on a party, and putting on a great concert is the same. It’s constructing an experience and expending huge effort and passion and soul on that somewhat ephemeral experience. They’re eternal, food and music, and yet they’re ephemeral, like life. That’s something beautiful."
--George Steel
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | 10:45 AM
Shoppers all over New York City are getting ready for tomorrow night's Fashion's Night Out, a one-night event when many stores will be staying open until 11pm and hosting tons of great activities. Combine your love of shopping and opera in one place that night at City Opera Thrift Shop's Fall Preview sale, going on from 6-11pm tomorrow.
Special guest Heather Johnson will be performing while you peruse the racks, and Dame Lori will be on-hand to help you turn thrifty finds into your new fall wardrobe.
Curious about Fashion's Night Out? Check out this celebrity-packed video.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009 | 6:44 AM
Labor Day is over, you've packed away your beach balls and white jeans, and after a quick goodbye to the summer, you're ready to welcome a new season:
Opera Season
Tickets for American Voices, Esther, Don Giovanni, L'Étoile, Madama Butterfly, and Partenope are now on sale. Also available for the first time to the general public are backstage tours. Add one to your purchase and be one of the first to get a behind the scenes look at the newly-renovated David H. Koch theater.
You can hunt down tickets online, by calling 212-721-6500, or by visiting our temporary box office at Lincoln Center.
We'll see you soon at the opera!
Monday, August 24, 2009 | 4:10 PM
Hello Shoppers!
It's the Dame here, your personal soul stylist reporting from my favorite thrift shop in NYC, (described by Vogue magazine as “the highest quality thrift shop in New York”)... City Opera Thrift Shop, where Opera is Ultra Chic and Thrift is Très Cheap! Shopping and styling with soul is what keeps me alive with the drive for the next great find. Please join me on this quest...
There is so much going on here. First off,the Annual Pre-Season Coat Sale is in full swing in the ‘Orchestra’ & ‘Balcony’ sections, where I have seized a BRAND NEW brown suede shearling car coat from Barneys New York for a steal of $124! As I try it on in the 95 degree weather, I flash upon my mom buying me my first when I was 16 for braving cold Ohio winters.
Clutching the coat madly, I head downstairs to the ‘Orchestra Pit’ to meet Jay Thompson, the store’s brilliant manager, where the donations are received, reviewed, relished (or rejected) and then rushed up to the ‘Orchestra & Balcony’ levels for sale.
Today is the day to capture the essence of their upcoming Fall Preview on Thursday, September 10th, as a participating retailer in Fashion’s Night Out 2009, a global retail initiative to promote retail and restore consumer confidence. This is going to be happening all over the world and it is quite the event to honor retailers and their recent journey.
Jay has lovingly set aside a rack of must-sees for the season. As I am flipping through, he is declaring with arms spread out that "There are no seasons!" Aha...the perfect direction for keeping in mind the fall theme: Thrift is the New Black. I ask Iola Latman, the mistress of merchandising and Lauren Bridgeman, the store's genius stylist, where the stashes of scarves, hats and belts are tucked away....oh my heavens, the high stack of accessory boxes are parties of joy waiting to be worn.
As I am scouring the pit searching for more inspiration, I realize what my true source is: George Steele, NYCO's new General Manager and Artistic Director, and the amazing selection of operas he is offering for the 2009 – 2010 season. I have had the delight of chatting with him twice already, the first at Isabel Toledo's F.I.T. retrospective where George was with his charming, stylish wife, Sarah, and recently when shooting a styling segment at the shop with Fox & Friends’ Alyson Camarata and he was riffing on the fascinating unity between Opera & Fashion. It was divine!
And I started thinking about how to celebrate this collaboration come Fall...what soulful finds will best represent an evening at the Opera, what looks are inspired by the extraordinary Opera Divas live on stage...all the while showing off the fall must-have trends on sale at the shop. So with that in mind, I came up with 6 ensembles that are available to you this fall:
1. Okay, I adore this look....and if there is ever an opera inspired by Joan Collins in Dynasty, this is THE LOOK!
Vintage Metallic Gold & Ivory Velvet Leopard Print Dress, $75
2. This is dedicated to our most faithful geisha girl, Madama Butterfly....
Bisou Bisou Black Floor Length Tank Dress w/ metallic star studded & diamond galaxy, $35
Neon Green & Reversible Black Silk Jacquard Evening Jacket, $50
3. I think this outfit definitely has that revolutionary Queen Esther look to it...
Brown Leather Coach Coat with shearling fur collar,$150
Brown Escada Twin Sweater Set with black metallic thread, $75
Brown skinny leather & cold coin belt, $15
Faux python skinny pants, $25
4. This symbolizes high ranking splendor...which Donna in Don Giovanni would wear this, Anna or Elvira?
Rusty Red Ferragamo Opera Cape, $125
Black scarf with black embroidered flowered pockets, $20
White vintage chiffon evening blouse, $25
Black & Silver studded wide leather belt, $15
Black leather Michael Kors jeans, $150
5. I love a great disguise and so does Rosmira in Partenope....
Suede Embroidered Vest w/ Tibetan Lamb Collar, $49
Ivory pointelle long sleeve mini dress, brand new, $50
Vintage Coach brown leather belt, $25
Anime wool hat, $8
Ivory aviator fringed scarf, $8
Ivory pointelle long sleeve mini dress, brand new, $50
Vintage Coach brown leather belt, $25
Anime wool hat, $8
Ivory aviator fringed scarf, $8
6. This is very noblle-like and powerful...perhaps for Laoula in L'Étoile?
Christian Dior Dawn Mink Coat, princess style with full length flair, appraised: $25,000, sale: $4,000
Gold long oblong scarf, $45
Henry Bendel ivory cashmere sweater with self tie, $35
Marc Jacobs purple shantung silk evening trousers, $75
Gold double braided necklace w/ tassel, $20
Gold long oblong scarf, $45
Henry Bendel ivory cashmere sweater with self tie, $35
Marc Jacobs purple shantung silk evening trousers, $75
Gold double braided necklace w/ tassel, $20
Dear Men, although I did not highlight any men's looks....there is always a nice big section of great finds for you--so please come!
See you all Thursday, September 10th. Shop and style with me and the crew to the great vibrations and arias from NYCO’s mezzo-soprano Heather Johnson. It's amazing what we dare to wear when soaring with sound into the wee hours, too....11:00 PM.
My next post will be about the Costume Event on October 14th....Jay & Eric, the major domo Director of Retail Operations, are going to transform the store into a downtown costume institute selling over 100 costumes donated from the archives of New York City Opera. Also on hand, will be some saucy merry maidens modeling for you.
After that, it is all about the much anticipated Vintage Event on October 28th...oh the goodies galore...
May your days be filled with fun finds, music to fill your heart and style to feed your soul,
The Dame, Lori Sutherland www.damelori.com
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 | 12:33 PM
Attention all singers! We are looking for singers of all voice types to join our Associate Chorus this season. If you've ever dreamed of singing with New York City Opera, here's a great opporutnity. Read the audition announcement from our Artistic Department below.
You are invited to audition for the New York City Opera Associate Chorus for the 2009-2010 season
Auditions will held be on:
August 25, 26 & 27, 2009, 12:00-6:00 PM
For Esther by Hugo Weisgall
Rehearsals begin September 21, 2009
Performances: November 7, 13, 15 (matinee) & 19, 2009
Applicants must be available for all rehearsals and performances.
Applicants must be prepared to present:
2 arias from the standard opera repertory
An accompanist will be provided for those who do not employ their own.
Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:
A high level of musicianship, with attention to correct pitch, rhythm, dynamics, phrasing, and interpretation; solid vocal technique; appropriate diction in the common operatic languages; a sound large enough to carry in the theater; the ability to blend the voice;
stage presence and dramatic sensibility.
To secure an audition, send a current resume to:
Jeffrey Guimond, Artistic Planning & Rehearsal Administrator
at
auditions@nycopera.com
or
New York City Opera
20 Lincoln Center
New York, NY 10023
TELEPHONE INQUIRES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Applicants are required to prove that they are United States citizens, permanent residents, or have legal permission to work in the United States.
New York City Opera is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Monday, August 17, 2009 | 7:13 AM
New York City Opera was featured in the New York Times this weekend. In the article, Anthony Tommasini interviews George Steel and explores our renovations, upcoming season, and plans for the future.
Click here to read the article.
Friday, August 14, 2009 | 9:35 AM
A new episode of This Moment in Opera, our podcast series, is now available. Rabbi Jill Hammer joins Cori Ellison to discuss the story of Esther and its relevance today. You can listen to it here or on Itunes.
We're using a new format, with each episode focusing on one guest to make the episodes shorter without having to cut as much of some of the great interviews we have. Tell us what you think of it and stay tuned for many more episodes exploring Esther and Don Giovanni as we prepare for the opening of our fall season.
To learn more about our 2009-2010 season production of Esther click here.