Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
North Coast Wind Ensemble
North Coast Wind Ensemble continues its inaugural season with a Barber march, Ives’ American Variations and a tribute to Paris on Sunday March 22 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. $5 general, $2 students and seniors from HSU ticket office (826-3928) or at the door. Kenneth Ayoob, conductor.
North Coast Wind Ensemble continues its inaugural season with a Barber march, Ives’ American Variations and a tribute to Paris on Sunday March 22 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. $5 general, $2 students and seniors from HSU ticket office (826-3928) or at the door. Kenneth Ayoob, conductor.
Modern Adventures with the new North Coast Wind Ensemble
The North Coast Wind Ensemble continues its inaugural season on Sunday, March 22 at Fulkerson Recital Hall with an ambitious and adventurous program that includes a tribute to Paris, Variations on America, some Gregorian chant and a little ragtime. And of course, a march.
But even the march—a standard part of the program for a large wind ensemble—is a little unusual, since it was authored by modern American composer, Samuel Barber. “Barber is best known for his sweeping symphonic essays and beautiful art songs,” observed Kenneth Ayoob, the ensemble’s conductor. “But he also composed ‘Commando March’ for our armed forces. It contains his familiar harmonies and lush melody in the context of a traditional march.”
The adventure continues with two compositions that combine several styles. Variations on America by another American modernist, Charles Ives, varies a single melody, including rendering it as a tango. Sinfonia V by contemporary American composer Timothy Broege is an eclectic mix of sounds that includes Renaissance motets, Gregorian chant and ragtime.
Paris Sketches is a tribute to the City of Light and the many composers it inspired, by contemporary British composer, Martin Ellerby.
The program also includes a song for winds by Richard Strauss, and one of the world’s most performed compositions—O Magnum Mysterium by contemporary California composer Morten Lauridesen, in a wind ensemble arrangement that captures the original feeling of “a quiet song of profound joy,” according to Ayoob.
The North Coast Wind Ensemble is comprised of 33 instrumentalists from local communities. Its first concert was in January.
This second North Coast Wind Ensemble performance begins at 8 p.m. on Sunday March 22 in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. $5 general, $2 students and seniors from HSU ticket office (826-3928) or at the door. Kenneth Ayoob, conductor.
Media: Humboldt State Now.
The North Coast Wind Ensemble continues its inaugural season on Sunday, March 22 at Fulkerson Recital Hall with an ambitious and adventurous program that includes a tribute to Paris, Variations on America, some Gregorian chant and a little ragtime. And of course, a march.
But even the march—a standard part of the program for a large wind ensemble—is a little unusual, since it was authored by modern American composer, Samuel Barber. “Barber is best known for his sweeping symphonic essays and beautiful art songs,” observed Kenneth Ayoob, the ensemble’s conductor. “But he also composed ‘Commando March’ for our armed forces. It contains his familiar harmonies and lush melody in the context of a traditional march.”
The adventure continues with two compositions that combine several styles. Variations on America by another American modernist, Charles Ives, varies a single melody, including rendering it as a tango. Sinfonia V by contemporary American composer Timothy Broege is an eclectic mix of sounds that includes Renaissance motets, Gregorian chant and ragtime.
Paris Sketches is a tribute to the City of Light and the many composers it inspired, by contemporary British composer, Martin Ellerby.
The program also includes a song for winds by Richard Strauss, and one of the world’s most performed compositions—O Magnum Mysterium by contemporary California composer Morten Lauridesen, in a wind ensemble arrangement that captures the original feeling of “a quiet song of profound joy,” according to Ayoob.
The North Coast Wind Ensemble is comprised of 33 instrumentalists from local communities. Its first concert was in January.
This second North Coast Wind Ensemble performance begins at 8 p.m. on Sunday March 22 in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. $5 general, $2 students and seniors from HSU ticket office (826-3928) or at the door. Kenneth Ayoob, conductor.
Media: Humboldt State Now.
Program Notes
by Kenneth Ayoob, Conductor
Charles Ives’ Variations on America was written for organ and transcribed for band. The familiar tune is put through a number of changes – a tango, hearing the melody in two keys simultaneously and with both trumpet and woodwind obligatos.
Samuel Barber is best known for his sweeping symphonic essays and beautiful art songs. He also composed a march – Commando March for our armed forces. It contains the familiar harmonies and lush melody in a the context of a traditional march.
Timothy Broege’s Sinfonia V is an eclectic mix of sounds including Renaissance motets, Gregorian Chant (the band sings in this segment), a rag and a bit of improvisation.
Richard Strauss is known for his tone poems and operas, but was also a composer of art songs. Allerseelen is an arrangement of one of his most beautiful songs for winds.
Paris Sketches by British composer, Martin Ellerby, is a tribute to the City of Lights and presents characterizations of various parts of the cities and the many composers who have been inspired by Paris.
Morten Lauridsen’s choral setting of O Magnum Mysterium has become one of the world’s most performed compositions. Lauriden writes, “For centuries composers have been inspired by the beautiful “ Magnum” text with its depiction of the newborn king amongst the lowly animals and shepherds.” This work has been arranged for winds by H. Robert Reynolds and captured the original setting of a quiet song of profound joy.
by Kenneth Ayoob, Conductor
Charles Ives’ Variations on America was written for organ and transcribed for band. The familiar tune is put through a number of changes – a tango, hearing the melody in two keys simultaneously and with both trumpet and woodwind obligatos.
Samuel Barber is best known for his sweeping symphonic essays and beautiful art songs. He also composed a march – Commando March for our armed forces. It contains the familiar harmonies and lush melody in a the context of a traditional march.
Timothy Broege’s Sinfonia V is an eclectic mix of sounds including Renaissance motets, Gregorian Chant (the band sings in this segment), a rag and a bit of improvisation.
Richard Strauss is known for his tone poems and operas, but was also a composer of art songs. Allerseelen is an arrangement of one of his most beautiful songs for winds.
Paris Sketches by British composer, Martin Ellerby, is a tribute to the City of Lights and presents characterizations of various parts of the cities and the many composers who have been inspired by Paris.
Morten Lauridsen’s choral setting of O Magnum Mysterium has become one of the world’s most performed compositions. Lauriden writes, “For centuries composers have been inspired by the beautiful “ Magnum” text with its depiction of the newborn king amongst the lowly animals and shepherds.” This work has been arranged for winds by H. Robert Reynolds and captured the original setting of a quiet song of profound joy.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Deborah Clasquin, Humboldt State Professor of Music and acclaimed pianist, died on March 10 at Mad River Hospital in Arcata. Services were held today. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her, and by the North Coast music community. Her last solo performance at HSU was in October. Here is the biography she supplied for this event:
Deborah Clasquin enjoys an active career as a recitalist, as well as orchestral soloist, and has appeared in concert in Paris, Moscow, Kiev, Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco and throughout Northern California. Numerous prizes and awards have marked her performing career, as well as being broadcast by National Public Radio’s Performance Today. Clasquin has recently appeared as soloist with the Eureka Symphony Orchestra and the Brockport Symphony performing Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto.
Deborah studied with world-renowned Presidential Medal winning chamber musician Menahem Pressler of the Beaux Arts Trio while earning a doctorate in piano performance from Indiana University. Her undergraduate degree came from Smith College, followed by a masters degree from the New England Conservatory of Music.
As a Professor of Music on the faculty at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California Deborah is also devoted to teaching piano. Her students have been heard on NPR’s “From The Top” and won numerous competitions, including a Gold Medal in the 2003 Magin International Piano Competition in Paris, France and enjoy active careers as performers and teachers."
Deborah studied with world-renowned Presidential Medal winning chamber musician Menahem Pressler of the Beaux Arts Trio while earning a doctorate in piano performance from Indiana University. Her undergraduate degree came from Smith College, followed by a masters degree from the New England Conservatory of Music.
As a Professor of Music on the faculty at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California Deborah is also devoted to teaching piano. Her students have been heard on NPR’s “From The Top” and won numerous competitions, including a Gold Medal in the 2003 Magin International Piano Competition in Paris, France and enjoy active careers as performers and teachers."
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Community Chamber Music
The North Coast Community Chamber Music series continues with the Meadowood Quartet, Quartet Arioso and the Hidden Valley Chamber Players performing Mendelssohn, Beethoven and other composers on Saturday, March 14 at 8 pm in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Coordinated by Val Phillips. A production of the HSU Department of Music.
The North Coast Community Chamber Music series continues with the Meadowood Quartet, Quartet Arioso and the Hidden Valley Chamber Players performing Mendelssohn, Beethoven and other composers on Saturday, March 14 at 8 pm in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Coordinated by Val Phillips. A production of the HSU Department of Music.
Community Chamber Music Concert Celebrates Mendelssohn, Plays Beethoven’s Early Hit
After four previous successful concerts since 2007, the Community Chamber Music series continues with the Meadowood Quartet, Quartet Arioso and the Hidden Valley Chamber Players performing Mendelssohn, Beethoven and other composers on Saturday, March 14 in the Fulkerson Recital Hall at HSU.
Each concert in the series features a combination of independent ensembles. The players come from various North Coast communities, with several also performing for the Eureka Symphony.
"Our players are ‘101 Flyers,’” said Val Phillips, coordinator for the series and HSU Music professor emeritus. “ They meet in someone’s home every week to play, just as chamber music groups did in Mozart’s time.”
For this concert, the Eureka-based Meadowood Quartet celebrates the bicentennial of early 19th century German composer Felix Mendelssohn’s birth by performing his Quartet No. 3 in D. “Mendelssohn was a prolific and influential composer who wrote for many instrumental and choral combinations,” Val Phillips commented. “He was masterful in his writing for string instruments. His quartets are remarkable for their elegant expressiveness and scintillating figuration.”
The Meadowood Quartet is Betty Bliss (Redway) and Marilyn Page (Arcata) on violin, Stephan Vaughan (Eureka) on viola and Eric Jones (McKinleyville) on cello. Bliss, Page and Vaughan also play in the Eureka Symphony.
Quartet Arioso, based in Fortuna, will play Quartet in G by 16th century Italian composer Tommaso Giordani and Seven Pieces by contemporary English composer John Kember. Performers Judy Scott (flute), Sherry Hanson (violin) and Ruth McClimon (piano) all live in Fortuna, while Patty Larson (cello) makes the trip from McKinleyville. Hanson teaches at Fortuna Middle School, McClimon teaches piano, while Larson works for the Arcata Children’s Center and Scott volunteers in Fortuna community centers as a musician.
The largest group on the program is the Bayside-based Hidden Valley Chamber Players, who will perform Beethoven’s Septet, one of his early hits. “It was immediately popular in Vienna,” Val Phillips said. “It was a substantial step in Beethoven’s rise to fame as a composer.”
This composition will be played using its original combination of instruments, with Allen Lesser (Fortuna) on violin, Aryay Kalaki (Bayside) on viola, Helen Ann Reid (Eureka) on cello, Shao Way Wu (Arcata) on bass, Virginia Ryder (McKinleyville) on clarinet, Val Philips (McKinleyville) on horn, and Justin Sousa (Fortuna) on bassoon. Reid, Ryder, Philips and Sousa also play in the Eureka Symphony.
The fifth Community Chamber Music performance is Saturday, March 14 at 8 pm in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. The concert is produced by the HSU Department of Music.
Media: North Coast Journal, Arcata Eye, Eureka Times Standard, Humboldt State Now.
After four previous successful concerts since 2007, the Community Chamber Music series continues with the Meadowood Quartet, Quartet Arioso and the Hidden Valley Chamber Players performing Mendelssohn, Beethoven and other composers on Saturday, March 14 in the Fulkerson Recital Hall at HSU.
Each concert in the series features a combination of independent ensembles. The players come from various North Coast communities, with several also performing for the Eureka Symphony.
"Our players are ‘101 Flyers,’” said Val Phillips, coordinator for the series and HSU Music professor emeritus. “ They meet in someone’s home every week to play, just as chamber music groups did in Mozart’s time.”
For this concert, the Eureka-based Meadowood Quartet celebrates the bicentennial of early 19th century German composer Felix Mendelssohn’s birth by performing his Quartet No. 3 in D. “Mendelssohn was a prolific and influential composer who wrote for many instrumental and choral combinations,” Val Phillips commented. “He was masterful in his writing for string instruments. His quartets are remarkable for their elegant expressiveness and scintillating figuration.”
The Meadowood Quartet is Betty Bliss (Redway) and Marilyn Page (Arcata) on violin, Stephan Vaughan (Eureka) on viola and Eric Jones (McKinleyville) on cello. Bliss, Page and Vaughan also play in the Eureka Symphony.
Quartet Arioso, based in Fortuna, will play Quartet in G by 16th century Italian composer Tommaso Giordani and Seven Pieces by contemporary English composer John Kember. Performers Judy Scott (flute), Sherry Hanson (violin) and Ruth McClimon (piano) all live in Fortuna, while Patty Larson (cello) makes the trip from McKinleyville. Hanson teaches at Fortuna Middle School, McClimon teaches piano, while Larson works for the Arcata Children’s Center and Scott volunteers in Fortuna community centers as a musician.
The largest group on the program is the Bayside-based Hidden Valley Chamber Players, who will perform Beethoven’s Septet, one of his early hits. “It was immediately popular in Vienna,” Val Phillips said. “It was a substantial step in Beethoven’s rise to fame as a composer.”
This composition will be played using its original combination of instruments, with Allen Lesser (Fortuna) on violin, Aryay Kalaki (Bayside) on viola, Helen Ann Reid (Eureka) on cello, Shao Way Wu (Arcata) on bass, Virginia Ryder (McKinleyville) on clarinet, Val Philips (McKinleyville) on horn, and Justin Sousa (Fortuna) on bassoon. Reid, Ryder, Philips and Sousa also play in the Eureka Symphony.
The fifth Community Chamber Music performance is Saturday, March 14 at 8 pm in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. The concert is produced by the HSU Department of Music.
Media: North Coast Journal, Arcata Eye, Eureka Times Standard, Humboldt State Now.
Notes and Personnel
Notes by Val Phillips
The fifth concert in an ongoing series of chamber music performances by North Coast chamber music ensembles will feature music of Felix Mendelssohn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Tommaso Giordani, and contemporary British composer John Kember.
2009 marks the bicentennial year for Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), a prolific and influential composer who wrote for the many instrumental and choral combinations which existed in the Germany of his time, and was particularly masterful in his writing for string instruments. His seven quartets, two quintets and octet, all masterworks of string literature, are remarkable for their elegant expressiveness and scintillating figuration. Mendelssohn’s Quartet No. 3 in D, composed in 1838, will be presented by the Meadowood Quartet, which rehearses in Eureka.
Quartet Arioso, based for a number of years in Fortuna, will present Tommaso Giordani’s Quartet in G, and John Kember’s Seven Pieces. Tommaso Giordani (1740-1816), a member of a noted Neapolitan family of opera performers who found great fame in the London in the 1760’s, lived in Dublin for many years. He was was a noted composer and teacher who wrote with distinction for voice and also for instrumental combinations.
John Kember, born in 1935, is a resident of London, where he is well-known as a teacher, conductor, and composer of vocal and instrumental music of wide popular appeal.
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Septet, op. 20 for four strings and three winds, was published in 1802, and immediately achieved such popularity in Vienna that versions for other combinations of instruments came into existence, including Beethoven’s own trio arrangement, his opus 38 for clarinet, cello and piano. The Septet was a substantial step in Beethoven’s rise to fame as a composer. It was emulated by later 19th century composers such as Schubert, Kreuzer and Berwald, who composed similar large works for string and wind combinations. The Septet will be performed by the Hidden Valley Chamber Players, who rehearse in Bayside.
The HSU Music Department is the sponsor for this community chamber concert series, which is coordinated by Val Phillips, emeritus professor of music at HSU.
Personnel
Quartet Arioso
Judy Scott, Flute. Fortuna: volunteer musician, community centers in Fortuna
Sherry Hanson, violin. Fortuna; teacher at Fortuna Middle School.
Patty Larson, cello. Mckinleyville, Arcata Children’s Center staff member.
Ruth McClimon, piano. Fortuna; studio piano teacher.
Meadowood Quartet
Betty Bliss, violin. Redway: retired, Eureka Symphony.
Marilyn Page, violin. Arcata; Music teacher, Fieldbrook School - Eureka Symphony
Stephan Vaughan, viola. Eureka; studio violin and viola teacher - Eureka Symphony
Eric Jones, cello. McKinleyville, Transportation driver
Hidden Valley Chamber Players
Allen Lesser, violin; Fortuna, Henderson Center business owner
Aryay Kalaki, viola. Bayside, Retired.
Helen Ann Reid, ‘cello. Eureka; Staff, Gottschalks,’ Eureka Symphony.
Shao Way Wu, bass. Arcata, performer, instructor HSU Music Dept.
Virginia Ryder, clarinet. McKinleyville, Instructor, HSU Music Dept., Eureka Symphony.
Val Phillips, horn. Mckinleyville, HSU Emeritus faculty/administrator, Eureka Symphony.
Justin Sousa, bassoon. Fortuna; Surveyor, Eureka Symphony.
Notes by Val Phillips
The fifth concert in an ongoing series of chamber music performances by North Coast chamber music ensembles will feature music of Felix Mendelssohn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Tommaso Giordani, and contemporary British composer John Kember.
2009 marks the bicentennial year for Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), a prolific and influential composer who wrote for the many instrumental and choral combinations which existed in the Germany of his time, and was particularly masterful in his writing for string instruments. His seven quartets, two quintets and octet, all masterworks of string literature, are remarkable for their elegant expressiveness and scintillating figuration. Mendelssohn’s Quartet No. 3 in D, composed in 1838, will be presented by the Meadowood Quartet, which rehearses in Eureka.
Quartet Arioso, based for a number of years in Fortuna, will present Tommaso Giordani’s Quartet in G, and John Kember’s Seven Pieces. Tommaso Giordani (1740-1816), a member of a noted Neapolitan family of opera performers who found great fame in the London in the 1760’s, lived in Dublin for many years. He was was a noted composer and teacher who wrote with distinction for voice and also for instrumental combinations.
John Kember, born in 1935, is a resident of London, where he is well-known as a teacher, conductor, and composer of vocal and instrumental music of wide popular appeal.
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Septet, op. 20 for four strings and three winds, was published in 1802, and immediately achieved such popularity in Vienna that versions for other combinations of instruments came into existence, including Beethoven’s own trio arrangement, his opus 38 for clarinet, cello and piano. The Septet was a substantial step in Beethoven’s rise to fame as a composer. It was emulated by later 19th century composers such as Schubert, Kreuzer and Berwald, who composed similar large works for string and wind combinations. The Septet will be performed by the Hidden Valley Chamber Players, who rehearse in Bayside.
The HSU Music Department is the sponsor for this community chamber concert series, which is coordinated by Val Phillips, emeritus professor of music at HSU.
Personnel
Quartet Arioso
Judy Scott, Flute. Fortuna: volunteer musician, community centers in Fortuna
Sherry Hanson, violin. Fortuna; teacher at Fortuna Middle School.
Patty Larson, cello. Mckinleyville, Arcata Children’s Center staff member.
Ruth McClimon, piano. Fortuna; studio piano teacher.
Meadowood Quartet
Betty Bliss, violin. Redway: retired, Eureka Symphony.
Marilyn Page, violin. Arcata; Music teacher, Fieldbrook School - Eureka Symphony
Stephan Vaughan, viola. Eureka; studio violin and viola teacher - Eureka Symphony
Eric Jones, cello. McKinleyville, Transportation driver
Hidden Valley Chamber Players
Allen Lesser, violin; Fortuna, Henderson Center business owner
Aryay Kalaki, viola. Bayside, Retired.
Helen Ann Reid, ‘cello. Eureka; Staff, Gottschalks,’ Eureka Symphony.
Shao Way Wu, bass. Arcata, performer, instructor HSU Music Dept.
Virginia Ryder, clarinet. McKinleyville, Instructor, HSU Music Dept., Eureka Symphony.
Val Phillips, horn. Mckinleyville, HSU Emeritus faculty/administrator, Eureka Symphony.
Justin Sousa, bassoon. Fortuna; Surveyor, Eureka Symphony.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Humboldt Symphony & Opera Workshop
Song and laughs as the Humboldt Symphony backs the HSU Opera Workshop in Haydn’s comic opera, La Canterina and the finale of the Strauss operetta Die Fledermaus on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. HSU Opera Workshop directed by Elisabeth Harrington. Humboldt Symphony conducted by Paul Cummings. An HSU Department of Music production.
Song and laughs as the Humboldt Symphony backs the HSU Opera Workshop in Haydn’s comic opera, La Canterina and the finale of the Strauss operetta Die Fledermaus on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. HSU Opera Workshop directed by Elisabeth Harrington. Humboldt Symphony conducted by Paul Cummings. An HSU Department of Music production.
Song and Laughs with the Opera Workshop and Humboldt Symphony
Call it comic opera or “opera buffo,” the bottom line is that it’s fun. “Fainting, hiding behind chairs but still singing loud enough for the audience to hear, exaggerated dramatic situations and far-fetched resolutions,” is how HSU Opera Workshop director Elisabeth Harrington describes the comic opera to be performed by Workshop singers with the Humboldt Symphony on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7.
It’s called La Canterina (translated as “The Songstress” or “The Diva”) by Joseph Haydn, a tale of a romantic misunderstanding. “The comic style is very entertaining and appealing, even to non-opera loving audiences.” Harrington added. “We’ll perform the opera mostly in English but with many Italian phrases included, to capture the flavor and style of the language.”
Lead singers in La Canterina are Sarah Benzinger (as Gasparina, a popular opera singer); Katherine Kinley (Apollonia, Gasparina’s assistant and pal); Lindsey Tewksbury (Don Ettore, a teenage boy in love with Gasparina, a role often sung by a female) and Chris Hatcher (Don Pelagio, Gasparina's singing teacher, who is also inlove with Gasparina).
La Canterina is also a chamber opera, requiring a small number of singers. Such is not the case with the other work on the program, the Act II finale of Die Fledermaus by Johann Straus II, which will include all 22 singers of the Opera Workshop. “This is a fun party scene featuring both solo and ensemble singing,” Harrington said. This version of the work even includes dancing.
Nor will the instrumental accompaniment be small—for either work. The Humboldt Symphony, directed by Paul Cummings, collaborates on both. “The addition of the orchestra makes the whole performance go up a notch in sophistication,” Harrington said. “Both groups of students gain the benefit of working together. The collaboration is great between faculty too!”
The combined performance of the HSU Opera Workshop and the Humboldt Symphony begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Humboldt State Now, North Coast Journal, Arcata Eye.
Call it comic opera or “opera buffo,” the bottom line is that it’s fun. “Fainting, hiding behind chairs but still singing loud enough for the audience to hear, exaggerated dramatic situations and far-fetched resolutions,” is how HSU Opera Workshop director Elisabeth Harrington describes the comic opera to be performed by Workshop singers with the Humboldt Symphony on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7.
It’s called La Canterina (translated as “The Songstress” or “The Diva”) by Joseph Haydn, a tale of a romantic misunderstanding. “The comic style is very entertaining and appealing, even to non-opera loving audiences.” Harrington added. “We’ll perform the opera mostly in English but with many Italian phrases included, to capture the flavor and style of the language.”
Lead singers in La Canterina are Sarah Benzinger (as Gasparina, a popular opera singer); Katherine Kinley (Apollonia, Gasparina’s assistant and pal); Lindsey Tewksbury (Don Ettore, a teenage boy in love with Gasparina, a role often sung by a female) and Chris Hatcher (Don Pelagio, Gasparina's singing teacher, who is also inlove with Gasparina).
La Canterina is also a chamber opera, requiring a small number of singers. Such is not the case with the other work on the program, the Act II finale of Die Fledermaus by Johann Straus II, which will include all 22 singers of the Opera Workshop. “This is a fun party scene featuring both solo and ensemble singing,” Harrington said. This version of the work even includes dancing.
Nor will the instrumental accompaniment be small—for either work. The Humboldt Symphony, directed by Paul Cummings, collaborates on both. “The addition of the orchestra makes the whole performance go up a notch in sophistication,” Harrington said. “Both groups of students gain the benefit of working together. The collaboration is great between faculty too!”
The combined performance of the HSU Opera Workshop and the Humboldt Symphony begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Humboldt State Now, North Coast Journal, Arcata Eye.
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