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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.
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.
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, 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
Friday, July 31, 2009 | 11:20 AM
"Oh a diva's work is never done"
--Maury Yeston, Phantom
Lauren Flanigan might have gotten a kick out of googling herself yesterday. First, Variety took a look at Opera Santa Barbara's upcoming premiere of Séance on a Wet Afternoon, which Lauren previewed with us last spring as part of our VOX festival. Then, TheaterMania listed our upcoming American Voices concert, which will also feature our "resident diva" before she takes the stage as Queen Esther on November 7th. It looks like Lauren will have a very busy fall!
Monday, July 20, 2009 | 12:10 PM
Got "a case of the Mondays?" Here's a quick cure with the divine Miss Sills in the rarely-seen opera jewel: Pigoletto.
Many thanks to our friends at Aria Serious for the inspiration.
Monday, July 6, 2009 | 2:02 PM
American mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato, who sang the role of Sister Helen Prejean in our production of Dead Man Walking a few years ago, broke her leg this weekend during a performance of Il Barbiere di Siviglia at the Royal Opera House in England. Amazingly, the self-dubbed "Cast-a-Diva" continued the performance with the support (both figurative and literal) from the rest of her colleagues. Joyce tells the whole story in her blog.
Joyce, all of us here at New York City Opera wish you a speedy recovery and a giant "Brava!" for your strength and showmanship.
Monday, June 8, 2009 | 4:14 PM
El Paso Opera recently appointed our own resident director David Grabarkewitz as their Artistic and General Director. His work here at New York City Opera won a 2008 Emmy award for his staging of Madama Butterfly Live from Lincoln Center.
David took a moment to tell us about this exciting new step in his career.
What are some of the highlights from your experience with NYCO?
Directing not one, but THREE productions of La Bohème for NYCO over the years was amazing, as was assisting on the Sweeney Todd revival with Mark Delevan and Elaine Paige, and Charles Wourinen's new opera, Haroun and the Sea of Stories.
Very special to me is the Britten Paul Bunyan that I worked on originally with Mark Lamos, and took in future years to Florida Grand Opera and Opera Omaha. What a very special event that was! I am also looking forward to staging Madama Butterfly again for NYCO this spring, and love that production. It has been very special for me.
How did you get involved with El Paso Opera?
I came to El Paso to direct my new production of The Magic Flute, to which I also supplied new English dialogue. The response to this non-traditional performance was overwhelming. The people of this city are so gracious, and it has not one, but two performance halls (The Chavez and the newly restored Plaza Theatre), in a downtown arts center that also includes two museums on the City Plaza. It's an amazing place, and I'm honored to be a part of it.
How will your experience with NYCO influence your work in El Paso?
Working at NYCO certainly has influenced how I will approach this shift to Artistic Direction. Learning from Paul Kellogg, especially, how to craft director and design teams, and from Robin Thompson and John Beeson how to cast (and NOT to cast!) has been invaluable, as has my work with some of the great directors, singers and designers in the country and around the world.
Do you have any exciting performances planned?
One of the first things I'll be doing in a brief first season is a Gala
Benefit in September at their (our) spectacular Opera House, The Abraham Chavez Theatre, to raise money to eliminate their deficit. Some of my best singer friends from NYCO are joining me for that September 9, and more are encouraged (email me and let me know you're coming!).
After the concert, I am going to work on re-creating El Paso's education program. In November I am doing a guerrilla theatre production of La Bohème -- Done in restaurants and on the streets of El Paso, to further the idea of opera as accessible theatre.
Next season we will be back with a 9/11 tribute, in conjunction with the Ft. Bliss Army base, and a major new production of Madama Butterfly. I am also working on collaborations with the Juarez (Mexico) Symphony Orchestra. Along with Music Director, Maestro Raymond Harvey, we hope to continue to bring the best in opera to this marvelous city.
Click here to learn more about El Paso Opera.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 | 11:13 AM
George Manahan enjoys his new way to get around Portland
Portland Opera has found a new way for visiting artists to get around town--on bikes. An article by Bike Portland shows George Manahan and the cast of Portland Opera's Rigoletto taking advantage of an arrangement with a local cycling shop that allows free bike and equipment rentals to all company members. An excellent idea!
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