tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3404682308741156532024-02-06T21:23:49.771-08:00Vancouver Concert Opera SocietyAs our tagline says... Vancouver Concert Opera Society ("VanCOCO") is "all about the music". We offer unique in-concert operatic experiences to our audiences, focussing solely on the beauty of the music.VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-34329260786355316532014-02-06T15:05:00.001-08:002014-02-06T15:32:46.820-08:00Annual General Meeting Announcement - March 4, 2014<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Notice of AGM<br />Vancouver Concert Opera Society<br />March 4th, 2014</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>Dear Vancouver Concert Opera Society Members,<br />
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2013 has been another fantastic year for Vancouver Concert Opera Society. In January we produced a international multi-cast production of Die Fledermaus to our audiences and in August, we completed our 3rd annual run of our summer training program (<a href="http://vansos.com/" target="_blank">Vancouver Summer Opera Studio</a>) which culminated in two successful student performances of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. We will be holding our second AGM since becoming a Society in late 2011.<br />
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At the AGM, members will be provided with a financial report, will be asked to ratify new additions to the 2014 Board of Directors. Members of the Society who are unable to personally attend the AGM can vote using the proxy form linked <a href="http://vancoco.ca/attach/VanCOCO_Proxy.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Sincere best wishes for a prosperous, fulfilling new year, and we hope to see most of you on the 4th of March. Please see the details below.<br />
<br />
<b>Andy Maton, </b><b>Chair</b><br />
<b>Vancouver Concert Opera Society</b><br />
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<b><br /></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">AGM – 4th March 2014 @ 7pm</span></b><br />
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The AGM will take place at the Canadian Music Centre, 837 Davie Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1B7 at 7pm.<br />
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As long as you are a member in good standing, you are eligible to take part in the meeting. The meeting will outline our finances for the last year and the reporting.<br />
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We are currently accepting expressions of interest for new board members. A regular term is 2 years, and existing board members will continue for another year although there may be a minor shuffle of positions.<br />
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Please read the information about the process and qualifications for Vancouver Concert Opera Society Board Nominations and Elections for 2014 below:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Procedure</b></span><br />
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Nominations can take place between now and the board meeting on March 4th, 2014. You may nominate yourself. <a href="http://vancoco.ca/attach/VanCOCO_Nomination_2014.pdf" target="_blank">Download the Nomination Form</a>.<br />
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A quorum consists of 25% of eligible voting members. Proxies are acceptable for voting and for quorum requirements. If you are unable to attend the AGM, would you please sign over your proxy in order to ensure that we have a quorum. <a href="http://vancoco.ca/attach/VanCOCO_Proxy_2014.pdf" target="_blank">Download the Proxy Form</a>.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Nominations for the Board – We Need You!</b></span><br />
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If you are interested in shaping the future of the Society – this is your chance! If you recognize someone else who you think would be great in one of the roles, nominate them! <a href="http://vancoco.ca/attach/VanCOCO_Nomination_2014.pdf" target="_blank">Download the Nomination Form</a>.<br />
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Please let us know your choice of nominee or if you are nominating yourself by February 28, 2014. You can also scan the nomination form and send it to: info [at] vancoco.ca<br />
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Although nominations can be accepted later or even from the floor, it would be most helpful to hear of your declared interest by February 28, 2014.</div>
VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-84345803483327200932014-01-09T10:52:00.002-08:002014-01-09T11:03:36.093-08:00Tri-City Gala Begins TOMORROW!!!We are all very busy here at VanCOCO putting the final polish on our concert for our Tri-City Gala tour that begins TOMORROW in White Rock, BC, Vancouver on Saturday and finishing up in the beautiful city of Sechelt on Sunday! While we hope that you have all taken advantage of our pre-sales through our website <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/">www.vancoco.ca</a>, we would like to remind you that you can buy tickets at the door as well! <br />
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As a final treat for all of you, we thought that we would share some fun facts from our dream-team as they prepare to amaze you all this weekend! Be sure to follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/VanCOCoOp" target="_blank">Twitter</a> @VANCOCoOp and 'Like' our Vancouver Concert Opera Society page on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VanCOCoOp" target="_blank">Facebook</a> to get some behind the scenes photos and reaction all weekend!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jlxiRheAXRBU0eBhBhVeljAjA6WiHaRtmx8ck3K6532krX8yypEOgpThBfkUy_jlRvu0ug6uMBz-3wzHWz6YHyVW4sexyXxxhpr4Uhc9W_mDt5oSAz4CU20MnOv_QkjSe62d09fCgV17/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-09+at+11.40.47+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jlxiRheAXRBU0eBhBhVeljAjA6WiHaRtmx8ck3K6532krX8yypEOgpThBfkUy_jlRvu0ug6uMBz-3wzHWz6YHyVW4sexyXxxhpr4Uhc9W_mDt5oSAz4CU20MnOv_QkjSe62d09fCgV17/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-09+at+11.40.47+AM.png" height="53" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AG: Andrew Greenwood<br />
NB: Natalie Burdeny<br />
SS: Sunny Shams<br />
AS: Arianna Sovernigo</td></tr>
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<b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">What music do you listen to in your off time?</b></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">AG: I'll listen to singers. Like a collection of arias. Also, a lot of Baroque music.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: I recently discovered "Passenger", an indy-folk singer from the UK. I can't get enough of him, and I particularly love his song "I hate". The lyrics are brilliant - you have to listen to it.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: I love Classical music, especially from the Classical and Romantic period. Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven, Rachmaninov, you name it! But also yes, a lot of jazz - Miles Davis, Bill Evans and also the crooners - Sinatra, Tony Bennett, some newer ones - Jamie Cullum and Diana Krall, Michael Buble. But really, I love all kinds of music - throw a bit of Indie in there, and you have my mix.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: Country...don't laugh but I do like it. One favourite would be Brooks & Dunn.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Biggest accomplishment to date?</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AG: Getting to sing two roles at the Prague State opera was pretty cool!! Germont from <i>La Traviata</i> and Escamillo from <i>Carmen</i>. Also, I had a chance to sing Amanasro in <i>Aida, </i>where the famous stage director was Hans Peter Lehmann. That was very lucky for me! He really liked me! I remember him saying to me that he had directed many <i>Aida</i>'s, and that I was one of the best Amonasro’s he had had.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: I made my debut this summer in the world-premier in Italy. I created the role of Old Camille in <i>Camille Claudel</i> in the Teatro degli Avvaloranti in Citta della Pieve, Italy. it was a world premier. I was hired 2 weeks before rehearsals started. Not because they had a cancellation, but because the composer/conductor had never heard a voice that he thought was suited for the role. I learned the entire thing in 10 days thanks to a brilliant coach. It was a great experience; wonderful cast, and an amazing opera. It deserves to be done again. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: Well, probably this summer. My girlfriend and I met and studied for 3 weeks with Soprano Virginia Zeani, in Florida. And then from there we went to Spain and spent a month coaching with the head coach from Teatro Real, and then got to meet and sing for Montserrat Caballe, who selected us to sing in her final gala concert. That was pretty amazing! I think another feat was when I sang 2 Rodolfo's back to back on the same day.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: I guess singing Musetta from La Boheme at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genova, but to me the biggest accomplishment is just being recognized as a singer every time I get hired.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>If you could sing with any famous opera singer living or dead, who would it be and why?</b></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xiDrnacRgHL0SY7cKfrGCq5VKQeHkuiMSfZppVs6sxsLgpAVlxy4_p5O92a_ZPB56ftxeFZvUSwT2vw2b7xGfnI0_bSPZf19NTYXbEeutqz8DCLbPsouOyOSOclJRcrnB9MoJJzUlkze/s1600/Maria%252BCallas%252BOrchestra%252BDel%252BTeatro%252BAll%252BScala%252Bcallas030a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xiDrnacRgHL0SY7cKfrGCq5VKQeHkuiMSfZppVs6sxsLgpAVlxy4_p5O92a_ZPB56ftxeFZvUSwT2vw2b7xGfnI0_bSPZf19NTYXbEeutqz8DCLbPsouOyOSOclJRcrnB9MoJJzUlkze/s1600/Maria%252BCallas%252BOrchestra%252BDel%252BTeatro%252BAll%252BScala%252Bcallas030a.jpg" height="200" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Maria Callas</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">AG: Hmmm... Callas because of her amazing stage presence.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">NB: Agh, that's hard... a toss up for me really but I have to say Dmitri Hvorostovsky... he is mad-sexy, and can sing to boot!</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">SS: I would love to sing with Maria Callas. Her dedication to the score and to the text is amazing! Her musicality is divine, and she embodied every role she portrayed. I think that's what took her voice too soon. That and she sang some heavy roles too early. But it was her 110% dedication to the composer and librettist that made her who she was. La Divina.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">AS: I think Placido Domingo. I have always loved him most out of the three tenors for his drama...he can sing like a god and still act the crap out of a role...he made me cry when I saw his Cyrano DeBergerac at the Met...and that's very hard to do.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>How excited are you to bring this wonderful opera to White Rock, Sechelt, and Vancouver?.. or I suppose why is it important?</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: I am delighted to bring such wonderful music and arts to these towns and cities. I think exposure is the best way to keep the arts alive and well, and it's great when you can bring fantastic artists and in turn present this incredible music to an audience. That's what we live for as artists - communication to the masses. Touching lives. I know the world needs more of that right now. It's great to give to the public. I'm really excited!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: Every opportunity I get to sing in my hometown is important to me. I have lots of friends and family who support me and it's a shame not to be able to show them what I've accomplished. I also think it's important because opera is not big in Canada or at least on the West Coast as it is in Europe. We are not exposed to it daily and it's not part of our tradition. I can't imagine what my life would be like if opera stopped being important. It's a way of expression that helps to soothe the soul and help us escape the harsh reality of life so we can get back to it</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Ok. Rapid Fire!<br />
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Tea or Coffee<br />
</b>AG: Coffee</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: Coffee</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: Coffee</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: Tea</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Sweet or Salty</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AG:Sweet</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: Salty</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: Sweet</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: Salty</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><br />
Wagner or Verdi</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AG: Ha ha, Verdi!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: Both!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: Verdi</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: Verdi</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Kareokee - Yes or No</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AG: No</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: Yes</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: Yes</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: No</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Pop or Rock</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AG: Neither... Rock if I had to pick.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: Pop</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: Classic Rock</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: Rock</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Favourite Colour</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AG: Blue</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: Teal</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: Black<br />
AS: Blue</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Favourite Food</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AG: Ribs</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: Pasta with Truffles</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: Mexican</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: Thai</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Yoga or Weights</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AG: Weights</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: Weights</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS: Weights</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: Yoga</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We hope that you have enjoyed </span>getting<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> to know our </span>dream team<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> and we very much look forward to performing for you all this weekend! See you soon!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">~VanCOCO...All about the Music!</span></div>
VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-13700456944089952172013-12-29T10:04:00.000-08:002013-12-29T10:04:52.903-08:00Our love for Bizet!<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
Bizet has a very special place in our hearts here at VanCOCO. Our very first performance was of Bizet's <i>Carmen, </i>and was a resounding success for us! It began our journey of bringing a high level of opera to all of British Columbia. The premiere performance had 3 of our 4 artists in the Tri-City Gala in lead roles, and all received glowing reviews for their performances. </div>
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<b>"Natalie Burdeny showed an enviable understanding of the title role in her portrayal of the nuanced vagaries of Carmen's personality. Her Card Scene was particularly memorable</b><b>… The delicate and pure soprano of Arianna Sovernigo made </b><b>for an exquisitely sung Micaela,<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N0QKcbT5dOXvnW_bRwmZzLZ_i0pQziDsJ-5smB3eC11nIe6xUCkX3Ws-tlr8rH8_7PngdGWpglky7mow_1r3kubgFu1oWpcnva_x7vkb7AwavPFy4TXzTirSn7DxPG-x7Pe8fmuhec32/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-29+at+11.00.37+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N0QKcbT5dOXvnW_bRwmZzLZ_i0pQziDsJ-5smB3eC11nIe6xUCkX3Ws-tlr8rH8_7PngdGWpglky7mow_1r3kubgFu1oWpcnva_x7vkb7AwavPFy4TXzTirSn7DxPG-x7Pe8fmuhec32/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-12-29+at+11.00.37+AM.png" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arianna Sovernigo as Micaela and Natalie Burdeny as Carmen in our premiere performance in 2011</td></tr>
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while baritone Andrew Greenwood, making his entrance striding down the centre aisle of the church, brought his past experience as Escamillo to create and assured portrayal that mesmerized the audience... <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew Greenwood as Escamillo in our 2011 performance</td></tr>
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Kudos to VanCOCO of a presentation of this caliber, rewarded by an audience that came to its feet with cheers at the conclusion." </b>Hilary Clark - Opera Canada Spring 2011</div>
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Not to be left out, our tenor Sunny Shams, has also performed the role of Don Jose to great acclaim as well and is also one of his dream roles.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny Shams as Don José in Bizet's Carmen</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Bizet died of a heart attack a mere 3 months after <i>Carmen </i>premiered and he never knew it’s immediate or lasting success. Why do you think this opera speaks now and why is it so popular?</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AG: Catchy tunes I think. I sang Escamillo in Prague, It's always fun to sing toreador. It's fun to fake the swagger and bravado.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">NB: </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-shadow: 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px #ffffff;">I think it's because it has the perfect amount of drama combined with memorable music. I can't think of anyone I've met, opera lover, opera hater, or doesn't know a thing about opera, who if you hummed the Habanera or the Torreador, they wouldn't recognize one of those tunes. In that regard, it's timeless. Personally, it's the one and only opera, I can watch again, again, and again, without getting bored.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-shadow: 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px #ffffff;">SS: I think because it has so many fantastic arias and ensembles in it. Bizet really captured the exoticism of Spain in his music, which is phenomenal considering he never went to Spain. It's also a very well written libretto. It's a great sing, and it showcases the main leads really well. You see the tension building, and the climax comes right at the end. it's great! Such an epic ending too.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-shadow: 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px #ffffff;">AS: Well, there's sex appeal, love and violence...the trilogy for todays movies. It's a known story...who doesn't know what happens in Carmen...even if you have never seen an opera before. I think opera is loved more when you understand it and since this opera is widely publicized and many references made elsewhere it keeps it's popularity...I doubt many would know the story of say Rita by Donizetti for instance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">David Boothroyd Piano. Recorded live in the Old Auditorium at UBC 2012. Photos from productions in Saint Eustache Montreal and Vancouver BC.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-shadow: 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px #ffffff;">NB:<b> </b>I disagree. She does change. She has never really loved anyone, but has always "used" people to get what she wants. I think she really does fall in love with Escamillo, and these are new emotions for her, but true emotions. Don Jose sees that, hence that’s why he goes a bit crazy! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SS:</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-shadow: 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px #ffffff;"> I would agree with that. I also think that Don Jose is not a bad person, which many argue. I think he's a very inexperienced young man, who falls wholly in love, and believes in it, and gives up everything for Carmen because he is true to her and believes in his love for her. He's so jealous because she means everything to him, and he can't bear to see that he's devoted himself to her, and she doesn't care. It's his love for her that drives him to kill her at the end because he can't bear the thought of her being with anyone else. He's just so full of desire for her he can't possibly imagine her being with anyone else.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-shadow: 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px #ffffff;">He's a good person led down a series of unfortunate events by his naivety and his love for Carmen.</span></div>
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We will be performing numerous selections from Bizet during our Tri-City Gala performances in Vancouver, White Rock, and Sechelt. </div>
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Get your tickets TODAY at <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/">www.vancoco.ca</a></div>
VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-65911765300459362552013-12-13T03:05:00.000-08:002013-12-13T05:45:19.656-08:00It's all about VERDI!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Today's entry is all about Maestro Verdi! As one of the featured composers in our 'Tri-City Gala' concert, our blog today explores how our singers feel about the maestro, their favourite Verdi operas, and why they believe that his compositions have endured for so long! Enjoy!</div>
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There are only <b><u>3 DAYS</u></b> left to take advantage of our <b>Special Holiday Pricing</b>! Get your tickets now at <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/">www.vancoco.ca</a>!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>AG:</b> Andrew Greenwood | <b>NB:</b> Natalie Burdeny<br />
<b>SS: </b>Sunny Shams | <b>AS:</b> Arianna Sovernigo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Giuseppe Verdi</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Which Verdi opera is your favourite?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>AG:</b> Hmmm. So hard to choose. It is usually the one I'm working on! But if I had to choose, it would be a toss up between Macbeth and Rigoletto. Which is so unfair, because there are so many I haven't studied yet. Il Trovatore is amazing. Also Simon Boccanegra.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>NB:</b> Rigoletto is my favourite, then Il Trovatore... Of course I'm biased towards the characters I can play, but I think the quartet from Rigoletto as well as the "Storm Trio" are some of my favourite parts of that opera.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>SS:</b> Oooh. It's a toss-up between La Traviata and Rigoletto. I love both!!! I love to sing the Duke in Rigoletto. It's a role I'm currently learning. I could listen to Rigoletto a million times and never get bored! Although, most of Verdi's operas are like that for me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>AS:</b> At the moment La Traviata but as I get to know new operas that I haven't heard before I constantly change my mind. I'm usually really passionate about what I am currently learning.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'Ricordi' covers of the favourite Verdi operas of our singers</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Why do you think Verdi is such a draw for audiences and singers alike?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>AG: </b>So many things. His inherent sense of drama and theater, his orchestration too. Sometimes the orchestra is almost a character; or at least portrays the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters. With the orchestra, he can set up a mood instantly. And of course the amazing melodies! He wrote so exquisitely for the voice!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>NB: </b>His music is big and dramatic, plus I think he wrote really well for the voice. Not to say that it is easy music, but his lines make sense.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>SS:</b> He was so particular about choosing certain librettos and using certain librettists. He was so detailed in his work and really understood human pathos. He made a connection with his audiences through the music.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>AS: </b>The emotion behind the music. He has these moments written in the music that sound like sobs or laughter or anger and then it is reflected in the voice. People are always drawn to what touches them emotionally. And truly even though his operas were written for specfic time periods the circumstances of what would happen today are still relavant emotionally if not physically.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>"My heyday is over, and another must take my place. The world wants something new. Others have ceded their places to us and we must cede ours to still others... I am more than happy to give mine to people of talent like Verdi."</i> </b>- Donizetti.<b> </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large; letter-spacing: 0px;">What do you think Verdi learned from his predecessor?</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>AG:</b> I think Verdi carried on the ‘bel canto’ tradition from Donizetti. Maybe he was influenced by Donizetti's melody writing and orchestration abilities. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>NB:</b> Donizetti was clearly a wise man. This is a business about tradition, and "passing the baton" as it were. We learn from our predecessors to get to a point where we are able to confidently put our own stamp on the traditional works. We can't move forward before understanding the past. I think this applies to all facets of life, however when it comes to art and music, I think it takes a thoughtful artist to recognize when it is time to hang up one's hat, and an even more courageous artist, who freely passes on his/her own knowledge for the advancement of the art. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>SS: </b>I think Verdi definitely learned a lot from his predecessor in how to write character traits. Again, Verdi was so prolific in writing character traits, and you hear each character in their themes, and the way they sing in ensembles and arias. They all have their own personality in the writing. As well as he really learned about using the full potential of the libretto to really keep the drama of the story moving and fluid. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: 12px;">AS:</b><span style="font-size: 12px;"> That is an amazing quote. It's something we can all learn from. I think Verdi would have been very humbled by such a gracious gesture from Donizetti and done all he could to live up to that respect. Which undoubtedly he did. He took opera to the next level and made it more real, less farcical. Even in the comedy there is always a truth behind it and that truth is reflected not just in words and the voice but in the orchestra and stage directions. </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Verdi just celebrated his 200th birthday this year, and is widely considered to be one of the very best composers in history. However, he listed his profession on official documents as 'Farmer' not ‘Composer’. </b><b style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Do you have another profession?</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>AG:</b> Fire lieutenant with Vancouver Fire and Rescue. It's always neat to see the reaction from the guys from work when they hear me perform.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>NB:</b> Interesting, I didn't know that. I have in fact had an entirely other career outside of music. I used to be a programmer and project manager for a Fortune 500 company. I spent endless hours writing programs to move financial data from A to B. I quite enjoyed it, and it gave me a really great grounding for the business of "opera".</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>SS:</b> I am also a barista/baker by day! Opera singer by night! My parents have had a cafe/bakery on Vancouver Island in Sidney for almost 20 years now, so I've grown up around coffee. I've also worked in Vancouver for Starbucks and Blenz. Done the coffee thing for about 11 years now! I also worked for about 3 years with Apple. As a specialist in Apple products in their retail stores. I've always loved Mac.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>AS: </b>Yes, I am a social media director for the swimming pool construction company called ALKA POOL CONSTRUCTION, and I teach singing. In my spare time I design websites.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Join us for the next installment where we chat with our singers about Bizet and Donizetti! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">And once again, we hope to see you at our concerts in White Rock, Vancouver and Sechelt!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>~ VanCOCO</b>… "<i>all about the music"</i> </span></span><br />
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VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-24262887471790412922013-12-11T06:45:00.000-08:002013-12-11T07:21:21.022-08:00Get to know our 'Tri-City Gala' artists!<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We here at VanCOCO are incredibly proud of the singers who are bringing our ‘Tri-City Gala’ to life! Since they are all active on the international opera scene, and extremely busy, we were fortunate to manage to steal a few minutes from their very busy schedules to ask them a few questions about the concert programming, their voices and careers, a bit about their backgrounds, and some fun rapid fire questions too! We were very surprised at some of the answers, so we hope you enjoy this as much as we did! <br />
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We have broken our conversation into several segments for your reading pleasure! Check back often for more installments!!</span></div>
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Please visit <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/">www.vancoco.ca</a> to purchase your tickets! Only 4 days left of our 'Special Holiday Pricing'!!<br />
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AG: Andrew Greenwood</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">AS: Arianna Sovernigo</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Are you from a musical family?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>AG:</b> Not really. I’m more from a family that likes music.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NB:</b> Not directly, my father was an industrial psychologist, and my mother was an administrator before becoming a real estate agent. However, there are a number of visual artists in our family (photography, painting) and it is rumored that my great grandfather was a professional cantor in the Ukrainian church.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SS:</b> Not really. My mom studied piano and accordion as a kid, but never really pursued it in a serious way. But, I'm from a very music-appreciative family. They love music of all kinds.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>AS:</b> Well, my grandfather (on my mother's side) used to sing in the choir and my dad has a nice voice, but other than that no one sings or plays an instrument... and I have a very, very large italian family!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>AG:</b> It decided on me. Apparently my mom's grandfather said that l had a great singing voice. I started out singing in ensembles and choirs and loved to sing harmony, mostly A cappella. I didn't start lessons until I was 23 and eventually found I had top notes which is good for opera. That was in my first year of college, where I was majoring in classical voice. I always wanted to do oratorio and early music. I fell in love with 15th century polyphonic music and also sang in a barbershop quartet!! Total gleek!!!! I never sang in a rock band like all the "cool" opera singers... I was always a musical nerd. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>NB:</b> It was purely accidental. I was always involved in music. I started piano lessons when I was 6, played the flute in band, but I was always singing. We used to drive across Canada every summer (Vancouver to Manitoba) and I sang the whole way... Fiddler on the Roof, Neil Diamond, I knew all the lyrics! I decided I wanted to be a Jazz singer and was accepted into a music program after high-school. I had to take "classical" voice training... that was my first introduction to opera, and it became clear at the time, that this kind of singing came more natural to me, so the journey began.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>SS:</b> Well, my mom was always listening to Saturday Afternoon At the Opera on CBC when I was a kid, and she still does. So I had opera around me. But I started out playing piano at age 7. In high school I played in the school band and joined Musical Theatre, and did some small roles and fell in love with acting and singing. And I wanted to be like Harry Connick Jr. or Diana Krall and play piano and sing. So I started singing lessons and my teacher at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Karen Smith, introduced me to Joanne Hounsell, and told me I should pursue classical training. And voila! I was exposed to the beauty of art song and opera arias and fell in love with it. I attended UBC for 4 years and studied with Mr. Peter Barcza there. I had the opportunity to perform several roles including Don Ottavio from Don Giovanni, and Rodolfo from La Boheme, as well as to experience solos in orchestral concerts with the Vancouver Symphony during my tenure at UBC.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>AS:</b> It decided on me actually. I was really into musical theater and when I went to the Vancouver Academy of Music they really didn't want me to pursue it. So I stuck it out and figured I would just do the degree in opera and then go back to musicals. But then I sort of fell in love with it and well, I'm still singing it. But, I would give anything to do another musical again. And also, big thing I forgot to mention... I don’t dance.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Who is your biggest musical influence?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>AG:</b> I’d have to say as a composer, Verdi. But I could also say Bach, Handel, Palestrina and Tomas Luis de Victoria early on. Oh! And believe it or not Gregorian chant!! I loved it when we had to sing it in school, at a monastery.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>NB:</b> I'm a big fan of Marilyn Horne, Dolora Zajick, and most recently Jennifer Larmore. Those are the ladies I love listening to. But my teachers and coaches have also had a big influence on me as a singer and as a human being. I am grateful for the years I spent with Heidi Klassen, and most recently with Victoria Livengood. These exceptional singers have given me many gifts! Oh, and I can't leave out my favourite coach, Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco. That man knows how to make me work!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>SS: </b>My biggest musical influence in Opera? Probably Placido Domingo. His musicianship and his dramatic technique is incredible. For vocal production though, it's a tie between Fritz Wunderlich and Pavarotti. The ease they have to create such a beautiful tone, such pure, unadulterated beauty in their voices. Effortless and perfectly lined up. Flawless technique.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>AS:</b> That’s a tough one. My father listened to ‘The Three Tenors’ all the time when i was growing up, especially Pavarotti. But I tended to listen to Joan Sutherland when I was first starting out, and then Maria Callas. I still listen to Maria Callas and her interpretations before going to anyone else, as I love her dramatic intensity. Now I listen to all of the great Italians, Freni, Scotto, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>AG:</b> Macbeth. First off it feels like vocally it was written for me, and secondly I can identify with the character so well. He is a man with flaws and demons. He may be physically strong, but can be weak in the face of these demons or outside influences.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>NB:</b> Not gonna lie, I would *almost* die to sing Carmen in a staged production. I think we have a lot in common, although I hope my life doesn't end so tragically! </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>SS: </b>Rodolfo from La Bohème. Rodolfo is a character I feel I can most relate to. He's young, a poet, full of spirit and optimism. He falls madly in love with Mimi, and it's a love that is so real. She's his true love, which is why he's distraught at the end when she dies, because he feels responsible that he couldn't give her enough. He always just wanted the best for her. I feel I have a lot of that in my persona. I can relate. Also, the music Puccini writes is just so perfect! And it feels right in my voice. It's easy for me.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>AS:</b> To be honest, I don’t have a favourite. They all had their ups and downs, and that’s really a tough one!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>AG: </b>Toss up between Don Carlo di Vargas from La forza del destino and Simon Boccanegra. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>NB:</b> I would love to one day perform an Azucena in Il Trovatore, Ulrica in Un ballo in maschera, or Augusta Tabor in The Ballad of Baby Doe. I'm drawn to these type of "crazy" ladies.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>SS:</b> That’s harder... so many! I'd have to say probably Hoffmann in Les contes d'Hoffmann is one of the biggest dream roles for me. I love his character and the stories he tells and the three different loves making up one. But also, a role that I have done too is Don Jose in Carmen -- that's also a dream role of sorts. I just love the music Bizet has written in Carmen. And the passion and buildup of the character from start to end. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>AS:</b> Definitely Violetta from La Traviata. I never dreamed I would be able to sing that role and now I'm studying it... I just can't wait to get the opportunity to sing the whole role on stage!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What role would you love to sing that isn't in your vocal category?</span></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>AG:</b> Cavaradossi from <i>Tosca</i>. Love those Puccini tenor arias!!!! Puccini was to the tenor what Verdi was to the baritone!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>NB:</b> Lucia from <i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i>... I dream of the mad-scene and 20 minute long cadenzas!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>SS:</b> Tosca in <i>Tosca</i>. So dramatic in character, beautifully written music, and what an ending! I love Puccini! I think as an aria though, I'd love to sing the Queen of the Night's revenge aria from <i>Die Zauberflöte</i>.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>AS:</b> Easy! Strauss’<i> Elektra</i>! She's actually a dream role but *sighs* I just wasn't blessed with that kind of voice. Of the men, I would say Figaro from Rossini’s <i>Il barbiere di Siviglia</i>. That’s a great aria.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Thank you very much for visiting, and be sure to visit us tomorrow as our singers talk about the magic that is Verdi! </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">And be sure to pick up your tickets for the 'Tri-City Gala' . Advance tickets are available now at <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/">www.vancoco.ca</a>.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>~ VanCOCO</b>… <i>all about the Music!</i></span></span></div>
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VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-70684902586953980662013-12-09T14:07:00.000-08:002013-12-09T14:10:03.685-08:00Introducing our artists for the Tri-City Gala!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYJkWwX7tdy7D5Z2JdltwebcJ47Nw6MY3Fe_8Olpa_-r3VtfhShhDyu-Fm4_f-oZge5SD5I6-qM7cKzZ8qAjMRyZfxQZOTt1TMn_C4EU_lc-WxmIkf9VBUDTfbjVUFqiKawyfnxMwQZr4/s1600/Concert+Poster+w:BW+Cast.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYJkWwX7tdy7D5Z2JdltwebcJ47Nw6MY3Fe_8Olpa_-r3VtfhShhDyu-Fm4_f-oZge5SD5I6-qM7cKzZ8qAjMRyZfxQZOTt1TMn_C4EU_lc-WxmIkf9VBUDTfbjVUFqiKawyfnxMwQZr4/s320/Concert+Poster+w:BW+Cast.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Introducing our fantastic artists for the Tri-City Gala!</b></span></div>
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We here at VanCOCO are so pleased to introduce you to</div>
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Arianna Sovernigo, soprano</div>
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Natalie Burdeny, mezzo-soprano</div>
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Sunny Shams, tenor</div>
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Andrew Greenwood, baritone</div>
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Michael Onwood, piano</div>
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Please keep an eye on this space for upcoming interviews with our artists.</div>
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We cover everything from the composers involved in the Tri_City Gala, their </div>
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favourite roles, how they got into opera in the first place, and some of their </div>
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biggest international accomplishments to date. </div>
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Also, lots of fun interesting facts - like they all prefer </div>
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Coffee over Tea! </div>
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Please visit <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/">www.vancoco.ca</a> to purchase tickets</div>
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Our special Holiday Pricing ends on December 15th, 2013.<br />
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~ VanCOCO...All about the Music ~</div>
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VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-44255732126982744022013-12-02T10:44:00.003-08:002013-12-02T12:56:33.603-08:00Greetings from all of us here at VanCOCO!<br />
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We wish you all a wonderful start to your holiday seasons! Here at VanCOCO we have some very exciting news, we are pleased to announce the <b><u><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Tri-City Gala</span></u></b> that will take place in January 2014! <br />
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The lucky cities that get to experience this wonderful Gala are:<br />
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White Rock, BC - First United Church - Friday, January 10th, 2014 at 7:30pm<br />
Vancouver, BC - Pyatt Hall - Saturday, January 11th, 2014 at 7:30pm<br />
Sechelt, BC - Raven's Cry Theatre - Sunday, January 12th, 2014 at 2:00pm<br />
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The Gala concert will feature some of the most beloved opera selections from the works of Verdi, Donizetti, and Bizet (with some very special treats added in). We have assembled 4 of VanCOCO's top performers, all of whom are active in the international opera scene, to bring this beautiful music to life. Our dream team includes: Arianna Sovernigo, Natalie Burdeny, Sunny Shams, Andrew Greenwood, and Michael Onwood. <br />
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Please visit<b> <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/">www.vancoco.ca</a></b> to purchase your tickets - as all 3 shows are sure to sell out quickly!<br />
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As a special holiday gift from us to you, if you purchase your tickets before December 15th, you will be given a discounted price! <br />
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Keep an eye on this blog for future posts on our dream team, the composers, and more information about the concerts! <br />
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~VanCOCO… all about the Music~<br />
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<br />VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-70364407333966230322013-01-14T13:36:00.001-08:002013-01-14T13:36:21.927-08:00Annual General Meeting Announcement - Jan. 30, 2013<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Notice of AGM<br />Vancouver Concert Opera Society<br />30th January 2013</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
Dear Vancouver Concert Opera Society Members,<br />
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2012 has been a fantastic year for Vancouver Concert Opera Society that boasted a new production (Verdi's Rigoletto), a successful run of our summer training program (<a href="http://vansos.com/" target="_blank">Vancouver Summer Opera Studio</a>), and help and guidance from a talented and dedicated board. We will be holding our first AGM since becoming a Society in late 2011.<br />
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At the AGM, members will be provided with a financial report, will be asked to ratify new additions to the 2013 Board of Directors. Members of the Society who are unable to personally attend the AGM can vote using the proxy form linked <a href="http://vancoco.ca/attach/VanCOCO_Proxy.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Sincere best wishes for a prosperous, fulfilling new year, and we hope to see most of you on the 30th of January. Please see the details below.<br />
<br />
<b>Andy Maton, </b><b>Chair</b><br />
<b>Vancouver Concert Opera Society</b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">AGM – 30th January 2013 @ 7pm</span></b><br />
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The AGM will take place at the Canadian Music Centre, 837 Davie Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1B7 at 7pm.<br />
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As long as you are a member in good standing, you are eligible to take part in the meeting. The meeting will outline our finances for the last year and the reporting.<br />
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We currently have one vacancy on our board. A regular term is 2 years, and existing board members will continue for another year although there may be a minor shuffle of positions.<br />
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Please read the information about the process and qualifications for Vancouver Concert Opera Society Board Nominations and Elections for 2013 below:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Procedure</b></span><br />
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Nominations can take place between now and the board meeting on January 30th, 2013. You may nominate yourself. Download the Board Nomination Form.<br />
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A quorum consists of 25% of eligible voting members. Proxies are acceptable for voting and for quorum requirements. If you are unable to attend the AGM, would you please sign over your proxy in order to ensure that we have a quorum. <a href="http://vancoco.ca/attach/VanCOCO_Proxy.pdf" target="_blank">Download the Proxy Form</a>.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Nominations for the Board – We Need You!</b></span><br />
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If you are interested in shaping the future of the Society – this is your chance! If you recognize someone else who you think would be great in one of the roles, nominate them! <a href="http://vancoco.ca/attach/VanCOCO_Nomination.pdf" target="_blank">Download the Nomination Form</a>.<br />
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Please let us know your choice of nominee or if you are nominating yourself by January 25, 2013. You can also scan the nomination form and send it to: info [at] vancoco.ca<br />
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Although nominations can be accepted later or even from the floor, it would be most helpful to hear of your declared interest by January 25, 2013.<br />
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VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-656125433220787742012-12-19T11:00:00.000-08:002012-12-21T01:11:35.953-08:00Cast Corner - John Conlon (Baritone)As the holiday's draw nearer we're trying to make sure you get an introduction to at least half or our talented cast for January's upcoming concert production of Die Fledermaus!<br />
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<a href="http://johnconlon.ca/Home_files/head%20shot%20copy_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://johnconlon.ca/Home_files/head%20shot%20copy_2.jpg" width="161" /></a>For our 6th Edition, we'd like to introduce <a href="http://johnconlon.ca/Home.html" target="_blank">Baritone, John Conlon</a> who will be joining the VanCOCO stage as Gabriel von Eisenstein, the character around which the entire story revolves!<br />
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John has already graced many of Canada's professional houses, and we are delighted to have him joining us for this production. Originally from Parry Sound, Ontario, John holds a Master of Opera degree from the University of British Columbia and made his professional debut, as Danilo with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in their performance of Lehar’s The Merry Widow.<br />
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We had a chance to catch up with John and find out a little more about him. We hope you will enjoy these little tidbits...<br />
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<b>Q. Can you tell us a little bit about your first experience with Opera?</b><br />
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<i>A. My first experience was playing Ahmal in "Ahmal and the night Visitors" in 1990. It seemed easier then. I was lucky my next opera experience was in the same show as one of the kings 10 years later.</i><br />
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<b>Q. Is there any 'dream role" you'd like to play?</b><br />
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<i>A. MacBeth in Verdi's Macbeth. I have always liked the Shakespeare play and saw it in Stratford Ontario twice when I was in high school and loved it. As a chorus member at Vancouver Opera I was able to be in their production and it was a wonderful experience. Verdi took some liberties with the story but still a great opera.</i><br />
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<b>Q. Could you imagine yourself doing something else besides singing?</b><br />
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<i>A. I really like the building industry especially the home building industry. When I was in opera school I worked for a contractor based lumber yard and I have a lot of background in the industry as well. I could see my self running a lumber yard or even being a home inspector.</i><br />
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<b>Q. Has there been a crossroads in your journey to date? What keeps you going when times get tough?</b><br />
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<i>A: This question is easy. There have been times when it would of been easy to call it quits. What keeps me going is the support from my wife. She has always been the one to push me on to keep going</i>.<br />
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We all know that as an artist times get tough, and it is important to have a strong support system. We're pleased that John has a cheerleader in his back pocket, and we're sure you will be one too! We hope you take this opportunity to hear why John keeps forging ahead!<br />
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For more information on John, you can visit his <a href="http://johnconlon.ca/Home.html" target="_blank">website</a> or visit our <a href="http://vancoco.ca/artists.html#JohnC" target="_blank">Artist Page</a> for his full bio! Don't forget... tickets are on sale now and can be purchased securely from our <a href="http://vancoco.ca/tickets_online.html" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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<i><b>IN BRIEF: </b>Vancouver Concert Opera Society presents Strauss’ Die Fledermaus at Pyatt Hall in Vancouver (834 Seymour St.) on Jan 4 & 5, 2013 at 7:00pm and at First United Church in White Rock (15385 Semiahmoo Ave) on Jan 6 @ 7:00pm. “Concert Opera” sung in German with English dialogue. Tickets starting at $24 can be purchased online at <a href="http://vancoco.ca/">vancoco.ca</a>. CASH ONLY at the door.</i> VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-84550287313780155932012-12-19T06:51:00.002-08:002012-12-24T09:27:11.542-08:00Cast Corner - Jessica Wright (Soprano)Soprano Jessica Wright joins the cast of Die Fledermaus as Yvan (Orlofsky's Valet), the second of two pant rolls in this saucy little operetta. When we heard Jessica in our September auditions, she charmed the pants off us (pun intended!) and so much so, that we had to find place for her on our stage!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvRz5hcu_arPxXNIpnhTBGPi7hHNjZBEw_iIZQbE2pNc1ie5WKv0vKd-NVJwpBsMoK7hbJOGSUPI-1lcbHqGK6KK-ViEc5FYFe5V3WnMOmO6zEHa-JDpzS_xb8MeULw3M8n-tpenXjZob/s1600/Mikado+2012+0222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvRz5hcu_arPxXNIpnhTBGPi7hHNjZBEw_iIZQbE2pNc1ie5WKv0vKd-NVJwpBsMoK7hbJOGSUPI-1lcbHqGK6KK-ViEc5FYFe5V3WnMOmO6zEHa-JDpzS_xb8MeULw3M8n-tpenXjZob/s200/Mikado+2012+0222.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica Wright (Far Left) <br />
in The Mikado</td></tr>
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Interestingly enough, Jessica is currently finishing a degree in psychology, so if anyone can understand the concept of dual personalities, it certainly would be her! In addition to her studies, Jessica has spent the last five years singing with various companies in the lower mainland including Dragon Diva Operatic Theatre, Opera Appassionata, and UBC's Gilbert and Sullivan Society.<br />
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Discovering that her music journey began as a jazz vocalist we were really interested on how she began her transition into classical music...<br />
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<b>Q: How did you get started with opera?</b><br />
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<i>A: I had been a jazz vocalist, making the rounds at cafes and restaurants in and around Vancouver. Then about five years ago, I took the plunge and auditioned for The Pirates of Penzance with DragonDiva Operatic Theatre. Pirates has always held a special place in my heart and I took it as a sign. I haven’t looked back since.</i><br />
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<b>Q: What might you say to someone who has never been to an opera before to get them excited about this particular show?</b></div>
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<i>A: When many people think of opera, they often think of grand Wagnerian productions in huge theatres. With VanCOCO, the audience has the opportunity to experience opera in a much more intimate setting. Add to that the gorgeous music of Strauss as well as an English script, and well, what’s not to get excited about?</i></div>
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<b>Q: When you are not immersed in opera, what is your favorite past time?</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2z0Px1xa8Ro0F1ocHVLZ0Z_rhSgIiLSdafj8fB2809UGApP1RW3NU_ojkEZXbh7Ox5_PyBh9AXcNCuApJIu0BmPsAD8ZiZY86jqNc4tzQhnD344yXDjyge2TQ1kA8z3IYlDudKhGd7Ckb/s1600/HMS+Pinafore01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2z0Px1xa8Ro0F1ocHVLZ0Z_rhSgIiLSdafj8fB2809UGApP1RW3NU_ojkEZXbh7Ox5_PyBh9AXcNCuApJIu0BmPsAD8ZiZY86jqNc4tzQhnD344yXDjyge2TQ1kA8z3IYlDudKhGd7Ckb/s200/HMS+Pinafore01.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An annoyed looking Jessica (Centre) <br />
in DragonDiva's HMS Pinafore</td></tr>
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<i>A: I love reading, watching films and cycling, but most of all I adore spending time with my two wonderful children. They teach me so much!</i></div>
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<b>Q: Tell us about your first experience with Opera.</b></div>
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<i>A: My father is a big fan of classical music and opera. One of my earliest childhood memories is making up dances to the operas of Bizet, Offenbach and Verdi.</i></div>
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<b>Q: Could you imagine yourself doing something else besides singing?</b></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>A: Currently I am working on my degree in order to become a psychologist. But I will be a singing psychologist! Most singers will tell you that singing is a part of their soul. I’ll never give it up!</i></div>
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Will Jessica be too big for these "britches"? We think not, but we know that she will breath new life into Yvan the Valet!<br />
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For more information about Jessica please visit our <a href="http://vancoco.ca/artists.html#Jessica" target="_blank">Artist Page</a> for her full bio! Don't forget... tickets are on sale now and can be purchased securely from our <a href="http://vancoco.ca/tickets_online.html" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>IN BRIEF: </b>Vancouver Concert Opera Society presents Strauss’ Die Fledermaus at Pyatt Hall in Vancouver (834 Seymour St.) on Jan 4 & 5, 2013 at 7:00pm and at First United Church in White Rock (15385 Semiahmoo Ave) on Jan 6 @ 7:00pm. “Concert Opera” sung in German with English dialogue. Tickets starting at $24 can be purchased online at <a href="http://vancoco.ca/">vancoco.ca</a>. CASH ONLY at the door.</i></div>
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VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-55716564086368183372012-12-13T11:45:00.000-08:002012-12-13T11:45:00.296-08:00Cast Corner - Linda Baird (Mezzo)<i>"Imagine that you were living in Europe 250 years ago? What did people do for entertainment? Go to a movie? Turn on the radio? Play a video game? Not then. You might have read a book (if you could read), played an instrument (if you were lucky enough to have one), or listened to another perform (if you had a talented friend). Life was quite a silent existence. To hear a group of instruments or voices together would truly have sounded like heaven. Going to plays were a favourite pastime, but live music could not be played at the same time as the actors spoke. There were no microphones. Their voices would be drowned in the musical drama, but it is the music that creates the real drama. Imagine Star Wars without the music. To bring acting and music together, voices were needed that were powerful enough to project above an entire orchestra of instruments. Ah yes, there is actually a reason why opera singers sing so loudly! Opera was the only medium of the day that brought together instruments, singing, dancing, drama, artistic sets, costumes, poetry, and so much more."</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVdhFCyfCSZmAiH5ey1zAAqrhkrt_dXerpcNQTnOWhuEOF1ISeEVQc8vn2UpDpkxb9m6yqo6VAeMRelRHB2PshLRZmoI7tU0DU4ftIhgGL1J1wYUgw54xYRDm01MlPBf7vfr4y8Rxyfdx/s1600/BairdLinda_PhotoOriginal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVdhFCyfCSZmAiH5ey1zAAqrhkrt_dXerpcNQTnOWhuEOF1ISeEVQc8vn2UpDpkxb9m6yqo6VAeMRelRHB2PshLRZmoI7tU0DU4ftIhgGL1J1wYUgw54xYRDm01MlPBf7vfr4y8Rxyfdx/s200/BairdLinda_PhotoOriginal.jpg" width="162" /></a>This is what Mezzo Soprano Linda Baird had to say when asked the question <b>"What might you say to someone who has never been to an opera before to get them excited about this particular show?" </b><br />
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Linda, originally from North Vancouver, but who has recently relocated to Seattle, WA with her husband, is also a music educator, which is not suprizing given her thought provoking answer above. She will be joining the cast of Fledermaus as the Russian Prince "Orlofsky". Here are a few more tidbits that will help you get to know Linda a little better!<br />
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<b>Q: When you are not immersed in opera, what is your favorite past time?</b><br />
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<i>A: I love to socialize, especially with family and good friends, but really,... I’ll talk to almost anybody.</i><br />
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<b>Q: What is the most bizarre thing you've done or seen on stage?</b><br />
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<i>A: In 2006, I sang in Vancouver Opera’s production of Faust. During the carnival scene, the staging director assigned me to kiss with Stephen Bell for me most of that scene. Everyone around us was singing and dancing, but Stephen and I were against a wall pretending to make out for about 15 minutes every night.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdy0Ixe1NdE-b3sgEULHZYZAGiGiyw394atDOCT0MN6YqbYmzeS9ZCM6YnUIdBeNNpwuw9BnoWP3mJZP3M8NS9bQIPtv0CoMXh4ePjhbBxoQUIcsA-H1R31uIaAWcpR3j-sOLYtEQ6fj4/s1600/205189_10152343821540249_135895078_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdy0Ixe1NdE-b3sgEULHZYZAGiGiyw394atDOCT0MN6YqbYmzeS9ZCM6YnUIdBeNNpwuw9BnoWP3mJZP3M8NS9bQIPtv0CoMXh4ePjhbBxoQUIcsA-H1R31uIaAWcpR3j-sOLYtEQ6fj4/s200/205189_10152343821540249_135895078_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vancouver Opera<br />Pirates of Penzance (2012)<br />Adam Kozak & Linda Baird</td></tr>
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<b>Q: What will a successful opera career look like for you?</b><br />
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<i>A: In opera, it’s easy to measure success by naming roles we’ve sung, venues we’ve sung in, conductor’s we’ve worked with, but for me that has not been what drives me. My view of success in opera is in how I sound and express myself. If I can bring a stranger to tears or laughter or any other emotion, then I know that they are feeling what I feel and what the composer feels. I sing because it feels so good and I love it when I can share that. That is success to me.</i><br />
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We're really looking forward to seeing and hearing Linda bring Prince Orlofsky to life! After seeing her quirky portrayal of this character in her audition, we're certain you will walk away smiling and thinking "Chacun à son goût!". To read more about Linda and to get your tickets to this event, visit our <a href="http://vancoco.ca/artists.html#Linda" target="_blank">website</a>!<br />
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<i><b>IN BRIEF: </b>Vancouver Concert Opera Society presents Strauss’ Die Fledermaus at Pyatt Hall in Vancouver (834 Seymour St.) on Jan 4 & 5, 2013 at 7:00pm and at First United Church in White Rock (15385 Semiahmoo Ave) on Jan 6 @ 7:00pm. “Concert Opera” sung in German with English dialogue. Tickets starting at $24 can be purchased online at <a href="http://vancoco.ca/">vancoco.ca</a>. CASH ONLY at the door.</i>VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-29166492614284509792012-12-11T11:00:00.000-08:002012-12-11T11:00:01.716-08:00Cast Corner - Robin Eder-Warren (Soprano)For our 4th edition of this season's Cast Corner we are pleased to introduce Soprano, Robin Eder-Warren. Quite possibly our youngest cast member to date, we've had the pleasure of watching Robin develop over the years and were pleased to be able to offer her the role of Ida for this production of Die Fledermaus.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPw-J01qnkPWll4UvBZIXRL3gfeUCfUc6J-lS85BFTQF2QTu1z8thHdxySNCzy0qNw8-8j4FWQ5W3MV1eKj-Y336OXcYlqNSmpwpdlZCrsEotwjuzq9l0vPlGySneRXhIXMj3B7YNI8Cn/s1600/556204_10152292487485721_1437264296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPw-J01qnkPWll4UvBZIXRL3gfeUCfUc6J-lS85BFTQF2QTu1z8thHdxySNCzy0qNw8-8j4FWQ5W3MV1eKj-Y336OXcYlqNSmpwpdlZCrsEotwjuzq9l0vPlGySneRXhIXMj3B7YNI8Cn/s320/556204_10152292487485721_1437264296_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Similar to <a href="http://vancocoblog.blogspot.de/2012/11/cast-corner-stephanie-domingues-takes.html" target="_blank">Soprano, Stephanie Domingues (Adele)</a>, Robin began her training at a very young age and her motives for getting started can only be described as "adorable"!<br />
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<b><i>Q: How did you get started with opera? </i></b><br />
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A: I fell onto the operatic stage almost by accident, it seems. I started taking voice lessons at age 10 to follow a boy I had a crush on from school into a musical theatre summer camp, and when it was over, made the fateful decision to keep up the lessons. I never stopped. Four years later, it felt like I looked around and discovered that I had begun singing in operas. I never looked back!<br />
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<b><i>Q: What excites you most about this show? </i></b><br />
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A: I finally get to spend time with some of my favourite music! My whole family is Austrian; these are tunes I’ve been humming and dancing to in one form or another since I was very small. There’s something like coming home to music like this, for me.<br />
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<b><i>Q: What is the most bizarre thing you've done or seen on stage? </i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkxnnjklWKJRr-k81HGLFa1CRsc8Ir6pdWiYGPY-NSHt0ZFKV5znHTkBWnM_QbOIKqixi4QZNa2L8s2g6CPo2OJ72gAhcFXbd6VZluOXvOxY64JjeiBaqB8Uhx5BoQ17lhr48DHADFVWp/s1600/576168_3255692484686_450995382_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkxnnjklWKJRr-k81HGLFa1CRsc8Ir6pdWiYGPY-NSHt0ZFKV5znHTkBWnM_QbOIKqixi4QZNa2L8s2g6CPo2OJ72gAhcFXbd6VZluOXvOxY64JjeiBaqB8Uhx5BoQ17lhr48DHADFVWp/s200/576168_3255692484686_450995382_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>A: I had to do trapeze work onstage once in the Bahamas after having had only one crash-course in the apparatus. Good thing I was only about nine or ten, and the audience expected my failure to be adorable and applauded loudly anyway.</div>
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While our show won't have any trapeze work in this production, we may try to convince our nimble and ambitious little Ida, who is now a Certified Yoga Instructor and has started her own opera company (Opera Mariposa), to see if she can incorporate downward facing dog into her performance!</div>
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Don't forget... <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/tickets_online.html" target="_blank">tickets are limited and ON SALE NOW</a> on our website where you can also read more about <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/artists.html#Robin" target="_blank">Robin</a>!</div>
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<i><b>IN BRIEF: </b>Vancouver Concert Opera Society presents Strauss’ Die Fledermaus at Pyatt Hall in Vancouver (834 Seymour St.) on Jan 4 & 5, 2013 at 7:00pm and at First United Church in White Rock (15385 Semiahmoo Ave) on Jan 6 @ 7:00pm. “Concert Opera” sung in German with English dialogue. Tickets starting at $24 can be purchased online at <a href="http://vancoco.ca/">vancoco.ca</a>. CASH ONLY at the door.</i></div>
VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-34952363553321455332012-12-05T05:05:00.000-08:002012-12-05T05:05:05.835-08:00Cast Corner - Mark Pepe (Tenor)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://missrosen.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/cartoon_pepe_le_pew-5249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://missrosen.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/cartoon_pepe_le_pew-5249.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Our third installment of Cast Corner features, Tenor Mark Pepe. While Mark bears no direct relationship to the famous French Skunk "Pepé Le Pew", his self-proclaimed mastery of Italian cuisine and "delicious" Bolognese Sauce reminded us of this legendary cartoon character!<br />
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Joking aside, Mark will be joining the cast of Die Fledermaus this January as Dr. Blind (The Lawyer). Apparently drawn to "sleazy roles", this should be as fun for Mark as it will be for us to see him bring Dr. Blind to life!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemr0VnprjgP-GQ9p-E75W8ray6f4F9MNkx86TpjZ8TYbniG5rAPgkgZetp6S5CP6OMf_E5SVfOUxTb5P2RdFM_Vu_58hxpykqtLUTcXg6Hk_QtKz-Wwda3ddkLe_fuUEpArKtW73WrmBJ/s1600/PepeMark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemr0VnprjgP-GQ9p-E75W8ray6f4F9MNkx86TpjZ8TYbniG5rAPgkgZetp6S5CP6OMf_E5SVfOUxTb5P2RdFM_Vu_58hxpykqtLUTcXg6Hk_QtKz-Wwda3ddkLe_fuUEpArKtW73WrmBJ/s1600/PepeMark.jpg" /></a>Here's a few little fun Q & A's from Mark...<br />
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<b><i>Q. Is there any 'dream role" you'd like to play?</i></b><br />
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A. Fellow singers always look at me funny when I say this, but Don Basilio in <i>Le Nozze di Figaro</i>. He’s such a sleazebag, and his music is fun to sing. But I do hope one day I can get to a level to sing Cavaradossi in <i>Tosca</i> or <i>Otello</i>.<br />
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<b><i>Q. What might you say to someone who has never been to an opera before to get them excited about this particular show?</i></b><br />
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A. You’ll know the music! Remember when Tom and Jerry fought to conduct it once?<br />
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<b><i>Q. What is your most embarrassing moment on stage?</i></b><br />
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A. Back in high school, I was <i>Merryman the Butler</i> in Oscar Wilde’s <i>The Importance of Being Ernest</i>. As the curtain rose to begin the second act, I was on stage alone pruning a bush. I bent over, with my back facing the audience, and split my pants. It was a long…slow…rip. I then slowly turned and began to prune the bush from the other side.<br />
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We're pretty sure you won't see any "pant-splitting" in this show, but you may split a side or two! Mark will be appearing in all 3 of our performances this coming January, so no matter which date you choose, you'll be privy to his antics and beautiful tenor!<br />
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Don't forget tickets are limited and <a href="http://vancoco.ca/tickets_online.html" target="_blank">ON SALE NOW on our website</a> where you can also read more about <a href="http://vancoco.ca/artists.html#Mark" target="_blank">Mark</a>!<br />
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<i><b>IN BRIEF:</b> Vancouver Concert Opera Society presents Strauss’ Die Fledermaus at Pyatt Hall in Vancouver (834 Seymour St.) on Jan 4 & 5, 2013 at 7:00pm and at First United Church in White Rock (15385 Semiahmoo Ave) on Jan 6 @ 7:00pm. “Concert Opera” sung in German with English dialogue. Tickets starting at $24 can be purchased online at <a href="http://vancoco.ca/">vancoco.ca</a>. CASH ONLY at the door.</i><br />
<br />VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-49888540373667085222012-11-26T14:41:00.001-08:002012-11-26T14:41:24.104-08:00Cast Corner (International) - Joel Cummings (Tenor)For our second installment of <i>Cast Corner</i> we are happy to introduce one of our two Alfreds. One of a handful of our <i>"International Guests"</i>, Seattle based Tenor, Joel Cummings will be joining us for the first time on the VanCOCO stage!<br />
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A graduate of the North England Conservatory (Masters of Music), Joel already has a plethora of credits to his name including Giuseppe <i>(La Traviata)</i>, Fernando <i>(Cosi fan tutte)</i>, and Tamino <i>(Die Zauberflöte)</i> just to name a few.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQW3hX2HQjdsLgzc32BIrc_BUunGgBkXkKYL9_hIeqxreDMQ-t4KtjytUBa1IzCMsKMD5jY_12jc9iw_6bLyWhNpVSHwy2qDHNmMbgLp2h-HTtleWw26d6LjJm7bkjoZBPgsBPaHgzp8/s1600/rsz_cummings_and_bride(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQW3hX2HQjdsLgzc32BIrc_BUunGgBkXkKYL9_hIeqxreDMQ-t4KtjytUBa1IzCMsKMD5jY_12jc9iw_6bLyWhNpVSHwy2qDHNmMbgLp2h-HTtleWw26d6LjJm7bkjoZBPgsBPaHgzp8/s200/rsz_cummings_and_bride(1).jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel with his beautiful bride Jaci.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In speaking with Joel we were pleased to discover that he is a true singing actor and is digging deep to bring to an honest and realistic character to the stage.<br />
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We always want to know what makes an opera singer tick and so we are always interested in the answer to this question...<br />
<br />
<b>Q: How did you get
started with opera? </b><br />
<br />
A: During my freshman year at Pacific Lutheran University, I attended the Opera
Workshop performance of Die Fledermaus. The Rosalinda was Angela Meade, who made her Metropolitan Opera debut a couple years ago and is now an international star. She was good back then too. I was so blown away, and after talking with my teacher, I
decided I was "all in", and the rest is history.<br />
<br />
<b>Q: We all have a guilty pleasure when it comes to our listening tastes,
what do you enjoy listening to that we might find surprising? </b><br />
<br />
<span dir="LTR">A: Renee Fleming singing <i>Over the Rainbow.</i></span><br />
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<span dir="LTR"><b>Q: What excites you most about this show?</b></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="LTR">A: The play between the characters, specifically in the Jail Scene at the end. I just love ad-libbing on stage and playing with my stage colleagues, and this show calls for that quite a bit. </span><br />
<span dir="LTR"><br /></span>
<span dir="LTR">Last question Joel... <i>(for now anyway)</i></span><br />
<span dir="LTR"><br /></span>
<span dir="LTR"><b>Q: Who are your musical mentors (Teachers, coaches, etc) and what is it about them that inspires you?</b></span><br />
<span dir="LTR"><br /></span>
<span dir="LTR">A: My current teacher is Erich Parce, who had a great career internationally as a baritone, most notably at The Metropolitan Opera. He has turned to directing now, and I love how obsessed he is with honesty as a singer. Sometimes we can get caught up in the act of singing and think we're fooling our audience with big, loud notes, but in reality when we are honest and truly feel the music and the character, that's when we get the best response.</span><br />
<span dir="LTR"><br /></span><span dir="LTR">Joel is <i>"happy and excited"</i> to be bringing to life the the wit and charm of <i>"Alfred the Opera Singing Tenor" </i>and we can't wait to get to know him through the rehearsal process and to share his beautiful tenor voice with our audience. We're confident </span>our audience will leave this show humming a tune or two and thinking to themselves... Wow! Those characters were alive and vibrant!<br />
<span dir="LTR"><br />Don't miss your chance to hear Joel make his VanCOCO debut! He will be performing the role of Alfred on Friday, January 4th (in Vancouver) and on Sunday, January 6th (in White Rock). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIn7LL_zmGoU2smCMXMab-54hH_wie2mkYAYnMA3VOOpIHUxTfSJSPQPMz_DLZj2sxgZAlR2R1w_ZvTci1rO79Liv7ypneJQbfTM8RmZw1a_ZRV7d70O0GaybQNviffhuJrLch8OQ0EaU/s1600/christmas-stockings2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIn7LL_zmGoU2smCMXMab-54hH_wie2mkYAYnMA3VOOpIHUxTfSJSPQPMz_DLZj2sxgZAlR2R1w_ZvTci1rO79Liv7ypneJQbfTM8RmZw1a_ZRV7d70O0GaybQNviffhuJrLch8OQ0EaU/s200/christmas-stockings2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span dir="LTR">And remember that Opera Tickets make great Stocking Stuffers! </span><br />
<span dir="LTR"><br /></span>
<span dir="LTR">Click <a href="http://vancoco.ca/tickets_online.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to get yours today! </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-60224948860159187602012-11-21T14:55:00.000-08:002012-11-22T08:42:09.000-08:00Cast Corner - Stephanie Domingues takes the People's Choice Award at the MET Regionals!We are happy to bring you the first installment of our "Cast Corner" series for our upcoming production of <i>Die Fledermaus</i>! Over the next month will be introducing you each of our cast members.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRpp7DGuuaQ8m2w1ThyphenhyphenQXy8CT6ZT0kRyIddhmp75lczLegKMYqFrF60aK4ui31km9jyzWNKdNbfUtYTkwkWUnrnG_1Js4wMNDcfd_kA9vVCp3Tx3SxXFB1N19SwJNofQpLAL60KuXRcI/s1600/rsz_domingues_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRpp7DGuuaQ8m2w1ThyphenhyphenQXy8CT6ZT0kRyIddhmp75lczLegKMYqFrF60aK4ui31km9jyzWNKdNbfUtYTkwkWUnrnG_1Js4wMNDcfd_kA9vVCp3Tx3SxXFB1N19SwJNofQpLAL60KuXRcI/s200/rsz_domingues_1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Our featured artist for this first installment is <a href="http://www.stephaniedomingues.com/" target="_blank">Soprano, Stephanie Anne Domingues</a> who was just awarded the <span class="userContent"><b>People's Choice</b> award at the Metropolitan Opera National Audition Competition in the Western Canada District this past weekend! We're not at all suprized that Stephanie was the crowd pleaser as she simply WOW'd us in her audition in September! That said, we'd like to congratulate her on this important stepping stone in a singers career.</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span><span class="userContent">Stephanie, who will be singing the role of Adele this January, was gracious enough to answer a few questions about her life as a singer. Here's what she had to say...</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent"><b>Q. How did you get started with Opera?</b></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent">A. When I was younger, I sang in a choir. My mom asked me if I wanted to go to a "Choir Camp" during the summer and I thought it sounded fun. While I was there, the conductor of the camp, Ann Coper Gay, of the Canadian Children's Opera Company, asked me if I wanted to join her choir. I remember looking at my mother and saying <i>"No! I don't know how to sing opera!"</i> After listening to some recordings and talking with Ann, I accepted. Throughout grades 7 to 10 I commuted two hours twice a week to Toronto to sing in the choir and through the CCOC, I also got the opportunity to perform with the COC and for some amazing people in Toronto. While I was singing at the COC, Peter Barrett told my mother that I should apply to this program in the USA called "Tanglewood". I looked into it and applied. I remember really wanting to get into the program, and I did. I atteneded the program in 2005 and 2006.</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent"><b>Q. What might you say to someone who has never been to an opera before to get them excited about this particular show?</b></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><b><br /></b></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXgMtk9cvqKVaFBETYX_BXJTntQzJTN56W2coLRAkAo5KcCCVr5FH8IYizmkGh_CjsRnyNkEN74c_UKfHRhvt-7yq-FzsieBvIoSrzyrWEqysdowOl-Vrg9pZoGOYk8aIeMQzIqQdcn0/s1600/rsz_1domingues_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXgMtk9cvqKVaFBETYX_BXJTntQzJTN56W2coLRAkAo5KcCCVr5FH8IYizmkGh_CjsRnyNkEN74c_UKfHRhvt-7yq-FzsieBvIoSrzyrWEqysdowOl-Vrg9pZoGOYk8aIeMQzIqQdcn0/s200/rsz_1domingues_2.jpg" width="150" /></a><span class="userContent">A. It's kind of like when you were a child and went into your mother's closet and put on her most beautiful gown and heels and her makeup. Then, you danced around the house pretending you were at themost hip A-List event in town!</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent">Last question Stephanie...</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent"><b>Q. Could you imagine yourself doing something else besides singing?</b></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent">A. Of course not. I am a strong believer in doing something you love and following your dreams and passion, this way, it doesn't feel like you're working. I can honestly say, every time I perform, every hour I have spent in the practice room, or sitting in a class throughout my Bachelors and Masters degree, I have enjoyed it all. Yes, it has been a challenging road, but it has all lead me to new opportunities, new challenges, and always keeps me happy.</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent">We are very proud of Stephanie and all of the rest of our cast members who competed this past weekend in the Metropolitan Opera Competition. Bravi tutti! And... i</span>f you'd like to read more about Stephanie, you can read her full bio on our <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/artists.html#Stephanie" target="_blank">website</a>!<br />
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<span class="st">Stay tuned for our next installment of Cast Corner and all of our other upcoming gems!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-11310750714092328762012-11-14T12:33:00.000-08:002012-11-14T12:33:31.882-08:00Celebrate the New Year Viennese Style with VanCOCO<br />
It's official! Vancouver Concert Opera Society (VanCOCO) will be opening it's Third Season with Johann Strauss Jr's classic gem <i><b>Die Fledermaus</b>.</i> We have gathered an exceptional International team of artists that will bring the sparkle and the charm of this holiday favorite to you this coming January with performances in Vancouver (January 4th and 5th) and in White Rock (January 6th)!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGBQD8djttClPSkoBMKZF_Dpg3xHei4IfiMtweY7Y45peXzH2Vdbdv3AqgJSV_mFbKDgXvYKq7OYYK6S0O4of9edxaqvj3tJABzJEwbcJszG6i4ScQewNe_69kwXXsnfexy-lQx7fwfU/s1600/DFM+Poster+Basic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="VanCOCO Presents Die Fledermaus" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGBQD8djttClPSkoBMKZF_Dpg3xHei4IfiMtweY7Y45peXzH2Vdbdv3AqgJSV_mFbKDgXvYKq7OYYK6S0O4of9edxaqvj3tJABzJEwbcJszG6i4ScQewNe_69kwXXsnfexy-lQx7fwfU/s200/DFM+Poster+Basic.jpg" title="VanCOCO Presents Die Fledermaus" width="152" /></a></div>
<b>The story behind "the bat"... </b>The best of friends play pranks on each other, but when Eisenstein abandons Falke in the middle of the town square dressed as a bat, Falke swears revenge. With Prince Orlofsky's permission the stage is set and Falke has invited everyone to a grand ball at the Princes' summer palace where Falke will once and for all strike his revenge. Fast forward to the next morning where the entire party finds itself in the town jail and all swear that it was Champagne, the King of effervescence, who is to blame.<br />
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As our mandate says, VanCOCO is all about the music and as such we will be
performing this work in its original german language but we will be
delivering our witty and charming dialogue to you in English.<br />
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You won't want to miss these performances and we want you to stay tuned to our blog and social media in the coming weeks so that we can share with you the cast of amazing singers that we will be featuring in these performances and a little bit of what makes them tick as opera singers. We might even throw in a few holiday treats along the way.<br />
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For more information and advance tickets please visit <a href="http://www.vancoco.ca/">www.vancoco.ca</a>!<br />
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To stay up to date on special offers and performance updates, link to us on <a href="http://twitter.com/VanCOCoOp" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/VanCOCoOp" target="_blank">Facebook</a>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-49317784845395905782012-02-08T08:46:00.000-08:002012-02-08T09:15:17.882-08:00A Valentine's Day Your Sweetheart Will Never Forget!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkc7aHEsnY4oDKvFOyL2mLpoBGk2yInojdGC352GeF4sgjZiu5XHyOr7s_dJ9ldyELJ4JMOCltVihSSjS0SvT3pW5TbsBJ7DONRWtoTjQZ01VJrG5AQdY2CuVs37G0i0N1DSSDK1K1mow/s1600/Singing+Valentine+Sound+of+Love.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkc7aHEsnY4oDKvFOyL2mLpoBGk2yInojdGC352GeF4sgjZiu5XHyOr7s_dJ9ldyELJ4JMOCltVihSSjS0SvT3pW5TbsBJ7DONRWtoTjQZ01VJrG5AQdY2CuVs37G0i0N1DSSDK1K1mow/s320/Singing+Valentine+Sound+of+Love.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Looking for a way to make Valentine's Day extra special for your sweetheart? Purchase an Adult 2 Pack to one of our upcoming performances of Verdi's Rigoletto between now and Monday, February 13 at 1pm and will be entered to win a <b>Personal Serenade by one of our talented artist plus a Dozen Red Roses</b>!<br />
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The lucky winner will be announced at 3pm on Monday, February 13th and your gift will be delivered on Valentine's Day at the location of your choosing... maybe your Sweetheart's workplace? What better way that special person in your life a memory they will never forget!<br />
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Purchase your Adult 2 Pack to Rigoletto today directly on our <a href="http://bit.ly/upaPy8" target="_blank">website</a>.VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-22155280104874820242012-02-05T23:50:00.000-08:002012-02-05T23:50:28.101-08:00The Young and the Opinionated - Paul's 2¢<div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLaNf2qidJRQOm_2vX-WWqxd0L6r8Z_EovdrZ2FLiaLnpAA4IjXZodY-B3k8K2x9ZZf4_3MK78yMKhB1Hhyphenhyphenpelt0kUrhrN57a8ahxWSuVc3tjDsf09CMh_BaHYNcMqrSh_CDZTOqaAvs/s1600/rsz_rsz_headshot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Just<br />
Tenor and Writer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLaNf2qidJRQOm_2vX-WWqxd0L6r8Z_EovdrZ2FLiaLnpAA4IjXZodY-B3k8K2x9ZZf4_3MK78yMKhB1Hhyphenhyphenpelt0kUrhrN57a8ahxWSuVc3tjDsf09CMh_BaHYNcMqrSh_CDZTOqaAvs/s1600/rsz_rsz_headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Giuseppe Verdi is considered a titan among opera composers. He is revered, venerated, and loved by so many because his music is drama and his drama is music. His creations, certainly from his middle and later periods, are of such astounding craftsmanship that it is difficult to choose a favorite, that is if someone is inclined to do so. I am so inclined. For this author and my questionably humble opinion, Verdi's middle period opera, <i>Rigoletto</i>, remains his finest creation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I would like to preface that I have not always been solidly entrenched in the Verdi fan camp. In fact, it took me quite some time to warm up to a composer whose music I did not fully appreciate because I did not fully understand it. Nothing penned by this musical genius truly captured my imagination. I just never felt that incredible fish hook into my soul. That is, until I pulled a recording of Verdi's jester out of the library. All it took was one listen of the dark-as-night prelude and I was spellbound.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From the outset, the narrative arc reads like a modern-day movie: sex, love, revenge, assassination. It has all the hallmarks of an Oscar-winning drama. However, as a mid-nineteenth century musical melodrama, it had the power of the censors brought down on it, much like the films of Hollywood in the 1930s. Unfortunately, the way that Verdi had originally intended it (the aristocrat and the location had to be changed) was highly unacceptable and he was forced to modify elements of the story in order for the opera to make its way to the stage. When the opera finally did arrive in Venice in 1851, it was a consummate and unmitigated success. Its' success still holds true to this day, as Rigoletto remains one of the most popular and oft-performed operas in the canon. The reason for its incredible success as a music drama, a term usually reserved for Wagner's musical-dramatic productions, is that Verdi took a convoluted French story, courtesy of Victor Hugo, and made a real, human drama that one can so readily feel and become involved in. Verdi's musical narrative is so diabolically visceral that once the chords of the prelude commence, there is no turning back. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The very tenebrous opening notes launch the helpless listener into a vacuum of hopelessness for what seems an eternity of two minutes and then, WHAM, you are thrown into an aristocratic orgy of the basest nature. This is merely the first fifteen minutes of a theatrical masterpiece that without question trumps Violetta Valery's indecisiveness in love in <i>La Traviata</i>, the intense posturing of Alvaro and Carlo in <i>La forza del destino</i>, the fiery incredulity of Princess Eboli in <i>Don Carlo</i>, and the bleak drama and effervescent humour of <i>Otello</i> and <i>Falstaff</i>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since the time that I first fully grasped and understood the gravitas of Verdi's incomparable <i>Rigoletto</i>, his other operas, such as <i>Macbeth</i>, <i>Il trovatore</i> and <i>Simon Boccanegra</i> have chiseled their way into my now-Verdi-adoring bosom. Even some of the “galley years” operas, such as <i>Ernani</i> and <i>Giovanna D'Arco</i> deserve attention that they are so often disallowed. However, as magnificent as Verdi's later output might be, his auspicious beginning with <i>Rigoletto</i>, sealed his legacy as one of opera compositions shining beacons.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some will say that opera is irrelevant and a defunct art form. Those who have never seen an opera will categorically state that it is only for the overeducated, liberal elite. I would challenge said irrational conjectures by giving them my favorite recording of this opera (Merrill/Bjoerling), a synopsis of the plot, </span>a bottle of wine, and <span style="font-family: inherit;">a box of tissues.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~ Paul Just, Tenor and Writer</span></div><b><br />
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<b>Editor's Note:</b> <i>Paul Just is a young and talented Tenor based out of Vancouver, BC. He has performed with Vancouver Concert Opera Society twice in the past year; Le Remendado in our inaugural concert production of Bizet's Carmen and as part of the Trio in our Award Winning Production of Leonard Bernstein's Trouble In Tahiti (We featured his <a href="http://vancocoblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/pauls-amazing-socks.html">"amazing socks"</a> on our blog more than a few times). What we did not know, until recently, is that Paul is a not only a gifted singer, but a talented writer with some very strong and educated opinions. We trust you have enjoyed "Paul's 2¢" and we look forward to more interesting posts from him in the future!</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-53197239765677991302012-02-03T11:18:00.000-08:002012-02-03T11:18:12.732-08:00TGIF!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPSw4LgB_kcq28QTaxF5n79hkWlq3DFT5jCiT4dbnte-toehZ-ip84dPusrP5gSIaEdOMQ-nLZtbje7chHnwVHy1Hx-PuM8r13bYaUDjbfldSngr9r0oGACOFh5SCufCh54usDL0sNGk/s1600/rsz_tgif31.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPSw4LgB_kcq28QTaxF5n79hkWlq3DFT5jCiT4dbnte-toehZ-ip84dPusrP5gSIaEdOMQ-nLZtbje7chHnwVHy1Hx-PuM8r13bYaUDjbfldSngr9r0oGACOFh5SCufCh54usDL0sNGk/s200/rsz_tgif31.gif" width="191" /></a></div>If you are not accustomed to the classical musicians lifestyle it has it pros and its cons. Like any other entrepreneurial job, time away from working on the next project almost never happens, but at VanCOCO we definitely know how to enjoy a good Friday night out. We checked in with our cast about what they do in their time off and found some interesting answers.<br />
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When we asked <b>Maestro Gordon Gerrard</b> what his down time consisted of, this was his response...<i>"I am a bit of a music nerd. It sort of takes over my life most of the time. I do read books when I get the time, and I love to cook for people. I recently joined Netflix, and discovering all the TV series that I’ve missed over the past 10 years has greatly reduced my productivity. Most recently, I watched the entire four seasons of The Tudors in a week. Oops."</i><br />
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<b>Mezzo Soprano Jaqollyne Keath</b> tells us that when she is not in opera she is directing shows around the Lower Mainland, acting/singing in Operetta, or sound designing shows. Oh and she like softball. It sounds a bit like when Jaqollyne is not involved in music, she is involved in music. Good thing she loves what she does!<br />
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<div>Now we know that Maestro Gerrard called himself a "music nerd" but when we asked <b>Bass-Baritone Max Van Wyck</b> (singing the role of the Court Usher) we think his answer completely trumps our Maestro... <i>"My favorite pastime is school. I love learning and get so excited after every break away from UBC, and practicing everything from voice to piano to history to solfege."</i> Max likes solfege? We all do right? Do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti - DOH!<br />
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<b>Baritone Aaron Durand</b> is clearly the "jester" in our bunch! Aaron asked us if we would consider <i>"Brunch"</i> as pastime. Sure why not, everybody loves a good late breakfast after a night out. For more hilarity from Aaron go read his <a href="http://vancocoblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/cast-corner-aaron-durand.html" target="_blank">blog post</a>!<br />
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Singer, actor, writer, choir manager, arts consultant, and voice teacher, <b>Mezzo Soprano Megan Morrison</b> is one of our biggest multi-taskers. We're not surprized that she replied that she loves<i> "leisurely morning coffees, aimless neighbourhood walks, good wine, and old movies."</i> Apparently she needs to clear her noggin' from time to time!<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div><br />
And of course there are the foodies! <b>Bass-Baritone Jordan Collalto</b> (Sparafucile) and <b>Baritone Ed Moran</b> (Count Monterone) share an infatuation of food and water. Jordan says, <i>"My only hobby outside of opera right now would be cooking. I love trying to make new things or tweak and perfect my own recipes when I have time! Tonight I'm making my first attempts at Neapolitan pizza… I also really enjoy surfing, but finding a whole weekend to go and do that while I'm in school has been really challenging."</i> Meanwhile, Ed made his very first pot of Julia Child's French Onion Soup this week and followed it up with a pot of his world famous chili (well at least HE thinks its world famous!). When ever Ed gets the chance he is either on the water in a Kayak or under the water in scuba gear. <i>"Scuba is really one of the most relaxing things that you can do, once when I was doing a decompression dive in Okinawa Japan, I started to nod off under water while I was waiting at my prescribed 45 minute decompression stop at 30 feet down."</i> Uhhh, we're glad he woke up!<br />
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By far, the most interesting answer was given by <b>Soprano SzuWen Wang</b>, who will be singing Gilda. We asked her when she is not immersed in learning a role or teaching her students their next aria what she likes to do and her answer consisted of four words...<i>"I'll never tell..." </i>We think this maybe exactly why she is perfect for the role of Gilda!<br />
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Well we hope you enjoy your weekends as much as we enjoy ours. Wishing a safe journey to all of our out of towners who are flying into Vancouver this weekend. Rehearsals begin on Monday morning! We can't wait to hear all these stellar voices in one room!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIgdbNTuqj4uESdbZkzbYY9LPPLIxNY822197gD99G-onZEGZEt7Xe8yOTfWato2RRDIqyGuw-n5XtJ0OaJm4G5dSP58pw6XPcuEPBawLiGpD3ip7Y3IyS35EK84vouTowcu6yEEkYrA/s1600/rsz_tgifdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIgdbNTuqj4uESdbZkzbYY9LPPLIxNY822197gD99G-onZEGZEt7Xe8yOTfWato2RRDIqyGuw-n5XtJ0OaJm4G5dSP58pw6XPcuEPBawLiGpD3ip7Y3IyS35EK84vouTowcu6yEEkYrA/s200/rsz_tgifdog.jpg" width="200" /></a>Stay tuned for pics and clips from rehearsals, and if you haven't purchased your tickets - don't drag your feet - they're selling like hot-cakes! Click on Tickets above... that'll get you to the right place!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-893891984605901072012-02-02T09:43:00.000-08:002012-02-02T09:43:02.571-08:00Cast Corner - Aaron Durand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqG2oonJUo0PAedz3evsak5eXF05V2l6AKSgZffLhNGa5E9_Z-7eNdiT-beBaXhtqoq-88OrRd6LR1bkbJ34O-1lUz8wAouil_fA45Vp2p9Z4VwRiJ5FGmgtzd2mk4aFLFVJA1CChmREb/s1600/AaronDurand_BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqG2oonJUo0PAedz3evsak5eXF05V2l6AKSgZffLhNGa5E9_Z-7eNdiT-beBaXhtqoq-88OrRd6LR1bkbJ34O-1lUz8wAouil_fA45Vp2p9Z4VwRiJ5FGmgtzd2mk4aFLFVJA1CChmREb/s200/AaronDurand_BW.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><b>Baritone, Aaron Durand</b> will be joining the Cast of Rigoletto as Marullo! We are excited to have him with us for this production and had a good chuckle at some of his responses to our "Cast Corner" segment. We hope you enjoy them too!<br />
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<b>Q. </b>How did you get started with opera?<br />
<b>A. </b>When I moved to Victoria for college, I wound up in Pacific Opera Victoria's production of Eugene Onegin.I'd participated in lots of musical theatre productions in my home town, but this was completely different.The thrill of putting together such beautiful music, the gripping story, and lavish scenery was like nothing I'd ever experienced. The bug bit, and I've been enthralled ever since.<br />
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<b>Q. </b>Have you ever sung Rigoletto before? If so, where/when?<br />
<b>A. </b>Actually, Pacific Opera Victoria presented Rigoletto a few months after Onegin, and I had the privilege of performing in the chorus once more. Lucky me!<br />
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<b>Q. </b>What is the most exciting thing about Rigoletto for you?<br />
<b>A. </b>By far it's the way Verdi grips onto the real dramatic situation in each scene. This deceptively beautiful music weaves the subtext effortlessly. Verdi was driven by the tinta that music could lend to a dramatic moment, giving it layers and layers of meaning and colour, and there's not a single second where that isn't the case. So awesome!<br />
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<b>Q. </b>What might you say to someone who has never been to an opera before to get them excited about this particular show?<br />
<b>A. </b>We're given a bleak, dark look at a man whose every endeavor ends in ruin. His wife is dead, his peers hate him, his boss permits him to exist because it's amusing. He is filled with hurt and paranoia. All that is left for this man is a daughter and her innocence. But how long can that last? or... [he says jokingly...] Rig is an HBO series set to music. Do you like HBO series? I thought you did.<br />
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<b>Q. </b>When you are not immersed in opera, what is your favorite past time?<br />
<b>A. </b>Can brunch be a past time? [We think so!]<br />
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<b>Q. </b>Everybody has a guilty pleasure when it comes to music, what yours? (I listen to the beat 94.5 Top Ten pop music exclusively when in the car, my fav is to cluck along (like a chicken) with overplayed top 10 songs.<br />
<b>A. </b>Not gonna lie, the fresh, delicious rap stylings of Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) are pretty much the best thing ever!<br />
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<b>Q. </b>Anything else you can think of that is relevent, or a question that you would to answer that we didn't ask<br />
<b>A. </b>Hmm. How about a favorite quote?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket — safe, dark, motionless, airless — it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell." </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- CS Lewis</i></div><br />
And we'd like to shout out a hearty congratulations to Aaron who will be singing the role of Schaunard (La Boheme) in Vancouver Opera's 2012/13 Season!!! Bravo Aaron!<br />
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Don't forget to pick up your <a href="http://bit.ly/upaPy8" target="_blank">tickets for Rigoletto</a>! They're going fast! February 15 and 17 in Vancouver and February 18 in White Rock (South Surrey)!<br />
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Oh, and if you'd like to read more about Aaron, visit our <a href="http://bit.ly/wQD5ZD" target="_blank">artist page for his full bio</a>!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-10815782291043991572012-01-29T08:58:00.000-08:002012-01-29T08:58:24.733-08:00Actors, Lawyers and Business People... Oh My! Introducing our Board of Directors!Behind every non-profit organization is a Board of Directors. The role of the Board is to mentor, guide and ensure that decisions made, fully support the mandate of organization. As such, it is with excitement that we announce Vancouver Concert Opera Society's Founding Board Members! <div><div><ul><li>Andy Maton, Chair</li>
<li>Jack J Huberman QC, Vice-Chair</li>
<li>Paul D. Carter, Secretary/Treasurer</li>
<li>Susan Freedman, Director-At-Large</li>
<li>Colleen Tracy Torrison, Director-At-Large</li>
<li>Andrew Tilston, Director-At-Large</li>
</ul></div><div>To read more about these amazing people, visit our <a href="http://bit.ly/AgPBVf" target="_blank">website</a>!</div><div><br />
</div><div>We are thrilled to have such a diverse group of individuals at the helm of this organization and are looking forward to a bright and prosperous future under their guidance and leadership!</div><div><div><br />
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</div></div></div>VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-89710853443280843952012-01-26T08:19:00.000-08:002012-01-26T08:19:14.056-08:00VanCOCO Live at the 2012 Ovation Awards!Yes, you read that correctly! Contralto Natalie Burdeny and Pianist Wenwen Du will be performing an excerpt from our 2011 Hit Show "Trouble In Tahiti" at the 8TH ANNUAL OVATION AWARDS this Sunday January 29th at 7PM at the Vancouver Academy of Music. And why have we been asked to perform? Well it's because we have been nominated for an Award in the category of for Outstanding Ensemble Production!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk453-sLh5zl_67bmdcwoVdqSzbKSKmwSdEnalPWj0A-tuwAbrbrFZ2XnQhBjiEC69JyLN3kVz07xhzH0_6zYSrVYqu4PORQX12f0N6ViOHjIO6oaro9f9RfGiDBYV1hnOTmdzwCoPcTA/s1600/Carmen_BurdenyNatalie_bio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk453-sLh5zl_67bmdcwoVdqSzbKSKmwSdEnalPWj0A-tuwAbrbrFZ2XnQhBjiEC69JyLN3kVz07xhzH0_6zYSrVYqu4PORQX12f0N6ViOHjIO6oaro9f9RfGiDBYV1hnOTmdzwCoPcTA/s1600/Carmen_BurdenyNatalie_bio.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contralto, Natalie Burdeny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As the Ovation Awards are a public award you can vote for us! Today is the last day though! Visit the Applause Musicals <a href="http://www.applausemusicals.com/index.html" target="_blank">website</a> and click on the link to take you to the voting ballot! One entry per person! You have until midnight!<br />
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Why should you vote for us? Well, this is quite an honour! The Ovation Awards are typically reserved for Musical Theatre productions and the fact that our little "jazz-influence" opera production has made the list is quite impressive. Regardless of the outcome, we are extremely pleased to have hit the radar of this organization and honoured (we said that once already - we know!) to be recognized for our efforts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogXHAcxgWIF8SiEQDPg8zWVzB_k17m34Tx8BICkORAOfjsijmeVNzH5gec_xUHvana8jqFWgUdAOaweHPOJckHip1zS_Ut0XAKf4thPk_J_rQHKUBau1DfBQakMOrWCW8etRNW6mGWlFn/s1600/Rigoletto_DuWenwen_bio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogXHAcxgWIF8SiEQDPg8zWVzB_k17m34Tx8BICkORAOfjsijmeVNzH5gec_xUHvana8jqFWgUdAOaweHPOJckHip1zS_Ut0XAKf4thPk_J_rQHKUBau1DfBQakMOrWCW8etRNW6mGWlFn/s1600/Rigoletto_DuWenwen_bio.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pianist, Wenwen Du</td></tr>
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Interested in attending the awards ceremony? You can still get tickets! The ticket price includes an amazing showcase of nominated artists. Doors open at 6:30 followed at 7PM by a revue including performances from various productions and special guest presenters. Cash bar, before and after show. <a href="http://www.applausemusicals.com/pb/wp_ff9e6278/wp_ff9e6278.html" target="_blank">Full details here!</a><br />
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See you there!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-26736685912675224682012-01-23T10:41:00.000-08:002012-01-23T10:41:21.079-08:002 for 2! Our second review in Opera Canada!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vancoco.ca/press/Tahiti_OperaCanadaReview_Winter2011_tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://vancoco.ca/press/Tahiti_OperaCanadaReview_Winter2011_tn.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trouble In Tahiti<br />
Opera Canada Review<br />
Winter 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Honestly we could not have asked for a better year! Our inaugural performance of Bizet's Carmen was a sell-out and garnered a gushing review from our industry magazine Opera Canada!<br />
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Hot off the press is Opera Canada's Winter 2011 edition and we were elated to see that our second show of 2011, Bernstein's Trouble In Tahiti, received equal praise!<br />
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Honourable mention goes out to the entire cast and production team! This is a great start to 2012!<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/A9n4KX" target="_blank">To read the entire review simply click here!</a>VanCOCOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15763310926456072722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-72019877993929651922012-01-19T08:49:00.000-08:002012-01-19T08:49:22.019-08:00Cast Corner - Frédérik Robert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SLSMBc8LU_sy4A7Gmwo4nZiN2ryWxI8mWPuAhwcIaHFfn0WLfPBmuTnTBGWu_teGuW5_uXsd3D3ucyXKJTSGpXIGXtY27PjdnbF4cXkrBaGPgltUfpj1xQyARZOljKmz42mO6VHIDB0/s1600/rsz_fred3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SLSMBc8LU_sy4A7Gmwo4nZiN2ryWxI8mWPuAhwcIaHFfn0WLfPBmuTnTBGWu_teGuW5_uXsd3D3ucyXKJTSGpXIGXtY27PjdnbF4cXkrBaGPgltUfpj1xQyARZOljKmz42mO6VHIDB0/s200/rsz_fred3.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>A TENOR WHO REQUIRES NO INTRODUCTION! For those of you who saw VanCOCO's debut performance of Carmen last January will remember the magic that occurred. Faced with ailing Don Jose, Frédérik stepped in with less than 48 hours notice and sang an utterly moving (<a href="http://bit.ly/vHye0O" target="_blank">and critically acclaimed</a>) performance of Carmen. We at VanCOCO are so glad that he was able to step in on such short notice. Frédérik is thumbs up in our book and he should be in yours as well. We are so excited to have him back to join us for our upcoming <a href="http://bit.ly/uAhSQh" target="_blank">February performances of Verdi's Rigoletto</a> where he will be featured as Il Duca (Duke of Mantua). Imagine what he can do when he has had time to prepare! Quite simply, Frédérik is a force to be reckoned with!<br />
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Here's what he had to say when we asked him a few inside question.<br />
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(Q) We all have a guilty pleasure when it comes to our listening tastes, what do you enjoy listening to that we might find as a surprise?<br />
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(A) <i>Guilty? Never! I love musicals and pop ballads from the 80's and 90's. I love my old school Mariah. The cheesier the better. As for musicals, the more obscure the better. ie: if you've ever heard the music from Starlight Express, I'd be super impressed!</i><br />
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(Q) How did you get started with opera?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0thKb4Seya_3x8bSMJ-dnknZkXPbYN0YCl8_34iUj1yxQBzfhxl3Mxp6cIAtIo2obtrOruyoUyDbquuAR9iKYNZceRV9OLO2W_aBfTqtyCL85rrWO9jTiIGYiVnTE1h4Y3A6SBSk6xis/s1600/rsz_fred2%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0thKb4Seya_3x8bSMJ-dnknZkXPbYN0YCl8_34iUj1yxQBzfhxl3Mxp6cIAtIo2obtrOruyoUyDbquuAR9iKYNZceRV9OLO2W_aBfTqtyCL85rrWO9jTiIGYiVnTE1h4Y3A6SBSk6xis/s200/rsz_fred2%25281%2529.jpg" width="148" /></a>(A) <i>I started singing opera by accident. In 1999, while I was in full training as a pop and musical theater singer, my voice teacher in Edmonton got notice of a new opera program starting in Edmonton called Opera Nuova. He wanted me to audition as he and I had dabbled in classical music previously. We chose two arias (Pourquoi me reveiller and Che gelida manina) and I went home and started to work on it. Basically I copied Pavarotti's voice, as best I could, and came back to my lesson with my best imitation. My teacher couldn't believe how natural it sounded and how the music suited me. Several months later I did my audition and got the lead in both operas that summer.</i><br />
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(Q) What would someone who has never experienced opera before enjoy about Rigoletto?<br />
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(A) <i>There are very few operas in existence today with so many incredible melodies as you'll find in Rigoletto. If a person is new to opera, they are sure to walk away with the feeling that Rigoletto was one of the BEST shows they've ever heard and seen. They'll be sure to leave the hall whistling one of the tunes from the opera.</i><br />
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Stay tuned for more from "Cast Corner" and don't forget to get your tickets for Rigoletto! February 15 and 17 in Vancouver and February 18 in White Rock where we will be making our debut! <a href="http://bit.ly/upaPy8" target="_blank">Advance tickets are ON SALE NOW and you benefit from savings by getting your tickets early! </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340468230874115653.post-42946733384379973632012-01-15T22:44:00.000-08:002012-01-15T22:44:53.425-08:00Behind the Baton - Maestro Gordon Gerrard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcmzFtBO-eSZ2lxMdXJ18dx52QKbQGd-Dm9v3xGP182w08N2Q1q76Dgaf6AN1f24nAogAchBLc_AHGCvrCybu0QPejp1GnvhgmTGd3yB_43rhnacQ69201YSifuAo5Hh0ZbBCibtoN7k/s1600/rsz_gordon_gerrard_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcmzFtBO-eSZ2lxMdXJ18dx52QKbQGd-Dm9v3xGP182w08N2Q1q76Dgaf6AN1f24nAogAchBLc_AHGCvrCybu0QPejp1GnvhgmTGd3yB_43rhnacQ69201YSifuAo5Hh0ZbBCibtoN7k/s320/rsz_gordon_gerrard_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Making his debut with VanCOCO is Maestro Gordon Gerrard. Maestro Gerrard is no stranger to Vancouver having worked as principal repetiteur with Vancouver Opera a number of years ago. We are fortunate and excited to be able to have him return to Vancouver to take the helm for our upcoming performances of <a href="http://bit.ly/uAhSQh" target="_blank">Rigoletto</a>. Maestro Gerrard graciously took some time out of his busy schedule to share with us a glimpse at the man behind the baton.<br />
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(Q) What is the most exciting thing about Rigoletto for you?<br />
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(A) <i> I had listened to recordings of Rigoletto for years, and I had even worked on the famous bits (Gilda’s big aria and the famous quartet), but when I moved to New York to go to grad school, Rigoletto was the first opera that I saw at the Met. It’s an experience I will never forget. </i><i>This music is amazing! Rigoletto is about midway through Verdi’s operas, and by this point he had perfected something magical. The way that he wrote for the voices is unlike anything else in the operatic repertoire. The music is so completely conceived for the human voice. He knew more than anyone before him exactly how the human voice works, and how it can connect with the emotional guts of any listener.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>(Q) How did you get started with opera? <br />
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(A) <i>I came to opera a little later than some. I grew up in a small town in Manitoba, and opera was not high on the list of activities for a Saturday night. I saw my first opera when I was an undergrad at the University of Manitoba (Hänsel und Gretel). I had at this point started to play for a lot of singers at school, even though my degree was in solo piano. I went to a summer art song festival where I met my now friend and mentor, Michael McMahon, who encouraged me to apply for the brand new opera training program, Opera Nuova in Edmonton. I thought I was unqualified to go, and I said to him, “I don’t know anything about opera!” He replied, “Well, it’s about time you learned.” I’m happy to say that I’m still learning.</i> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7a_a6NmoTtgnnPAJtiNvG2ZadVhcwI7qh-op4G91RJfVMVBzLeIGDBVIb1itm5e9XLivO5PSWMapp7bR2wBHBeUXFSI2OfPMxrKgHn_Fn-UiJDtwuaurCK3P2vFq2P8_FywqWDtXlFk/s1600/rsz_2gordon_gerrard_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7a_a6NmoTtgnnPAJtiNvG2ZadVhcwI7qh-op4G91RJfVMVBzLeIGDBVIb1itm5e9XLivO5PSWMapp7bR2wBHBeUXFSI2OfPMxrKgHn_Fn-UiJDtwuaurCK3P2vFq2P8_FywqWDtXlFk/s200/rsz_2gordon_gerrard_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>(Q) What might you say to someone who has never been to an opera before to get them excited about this particular show?<br />
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(A) <i>One of the criticisms that’s often leveled against opera is that the people and situations are too unbelievable for us to engage. Rigoletto is not to be included in this category. The first time (and every time) I see this opera, I am bowled over by the inescapable plight of poor Rigoletto himself. There’s a tragic inevitability about the story; we can see the outcome approaching a mile away, and Rigoletto cannot. As the opera charges on, you can’t help but become involved. You want to tell Rigoletto to change course, but of course you are stuck in your seat, helpless. </i><br />
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(Q) And one last question, everbody has a guilty pleasure when it comes to music, what yours? <br />
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(A) <i>Eek. Well I’m kind of a music nerd. My iTunes is nearly all classical. I do own a couple of Rufus Wainwright albums. I recently discovered Madeleine Peyroux, Gavin Creel and Zee Avi. Sadly, that’s about it. </i><br />
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Well admittedly, we were sort of hoping to hear that the Maestro likes to listen to a little Jay-Z or Snoop Doggy Dogg when not waving his arms around passionately, but we know what it's like to have an iTunes account and be frustrated at the lack of classical categories like <i>Romantic, 20th Century, </i>and <i>Baroque! </i>To read more about Maestro Gerrard, <a href="http://bit.ly/zhXIA9" target="_blank">click here go directly to his bio</a>!<br />
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Stay tuned for our next blog update featuring the multi-talented <a href="http://bit.ly/u3txHy" target="_blank">Tenor, Frédérik Robert</a> who will be joining us again to sing <i>Il Duca </i>after an impressive and memorable jump in as Don Jose in our January 2011 production of Carmen!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0