26. August 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Opera · Tags: ,

We begin orchestra rehearsals for Idomeneo this Sunday evening and the singers join us a few days later. My brain hasn’t quite left New York (or PucciniLand™ yet, having done an act of Bohème with operamission) but it’s definitely time to switch gears and make the move to Mozart.

I’d been keeping an eye out for the cast listings; usually Opera San José has those up when they announce the upcoming season, but it appears they were changing things up a bit this year and made us wait. They’ve also updated the look of the site — I like the cleaner look! Finally, though, I see the cast listings (and much more) up. If you go to the actual page you’ll see links to bios. I’m not going to do all that right now, but here’s the scoop:


Conductor: George Cleve
Assistant Conductor: Anthony Quartuccio*
Stage Director: Brad Dalton
Choreographer: Dennis Nahat
Chorus Master: Andrew Whitfield
Set Designer: Steven C. Kemp
Costume Designer: Johann Stegmeir
Lighting Designer: Christopher Ostrom
Wig & Makeup Designer: Jeanna Parham

CAST**
(The first name listed sings 9/10, 9/13, 9/18, 9/22, and the second 9/11, 9/17, 9/23, 9/25)
Ilia: Rebecca Davis/Sandra Bengochea
Elettra: Christina Major/Jasmina Halimic
Idamante: Aaron Blake/Betany Coffland
Idomeneo: Christopher Bengochea/Alexander Boyer
Arbace: Nova Safo
High Priest: Mathew Edwardsen
The Voice: Silas Elash
Opera San José Orchestra, Chorus, Dancers and Supers

*Mr. Quartuccio conducts Sept. 18 and 23 performances.
**Casting subject to change without notice


So off to reeds I should go, but picking myself up off this comfy rocking chair isn’t easy; I don’t feel I’ve come close to adjusting back to this time zone, and my brain … well … I think I left what little brain I had in New York City!

26. August 2011 · 6 comments · Categories: FBQD

I can play the: flute, clarinet, oboe, drums, trombone, trumpet, contra base clarinet and tenor, barry, alto, soprano Sax

26. August 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Videos

Or maybe both?

Too darn fun!

Well, okay … not quite!

25. August 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: NewToMyEars™

When I first saw the name Francesco Zappa I laughed, and wondered if Frank Zappa knew of the Classical composer. Turns out he did … and even put out an album titled Francesco Zappa that featured the earlier Zappa’s music. (I will confess to being pretty darn unfamiliar with Frank Zappa’s music. I mostly know of him due to his love for the bassoon!)

25. August 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: FBQD

Listening to a classical oboe concerto in D… makes me want to fall in love with life all over again

… which I like more than the concerto.

Liang Wang, oboe; Giora Schmidt, violin; Lily Francis, viola; Felix Fan, cello
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival

25. August 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Videos

25. August 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Spam'nScam™

How are you doing today?I want private lessons for my daughter,Mary.
Mary is a 13 year old girl and she is ready to learn. I would like the lessons to be at your school if possible or in your home.
Please I want to know your policy with regard to the fees,cancellations, and make-up lessons. Also,get back to me with the total fees for three months worth of lessons(one-hour lesson in a week)starting from September 9. Looking forward to hearing from you.

My best regards,

James.

Still no mention of instrument, but also no “in your city” sort of general thing, and “James” even includes a specific date! The scams never stop. The spammers never give up. Be warned.

25. August 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: TQOD

I can only imagine the agony I caused when I started learning oboe!

24. August 2011 · 2 comments · Categories: FBQD

I played that thing the Oboe in the 6th an 7th grade lol I was 4th chair out of 4 chairs lol

24. August 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: WorldReeds™ · Tags: ,

… also, according to Wikipedia, known as the Saxonette or Claribel:

24. August 2011 · 3 comments · Categories: TQOD

Oboe Reed, Premium Plastic – Soft $26.40

23. August 2011 · 4 comments · Categories: FBQD

Happiness is a perfect oboe reed!!!

23. August 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: ACappellaTuesday™

More from the Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir