A New Season

A new season for Opera Grand Rapids is just around the corner so I guess it is time to dust off the blog. The only problem is that this is a blog about singing in the chorus and the first opera of the season doesn't have a chorus. Hmmm, what to do? Well, we are trying to keep the chorus singers busy by doing some smaller sings. Last week we had a group sing at a party for a local law firm's 125th anniversary. It was a lot of fun, but also challenging. We are used to singing and moving and interacting, but not among a group of people who don't realize what we are doing. Yes, it was a flash mob. I think the unexpectant audience enjoyed our brindisi (the drinking song from La Traviata) and I appreciated the wine and bruschetta!

Another Dead Soprano

Fellow chorus member, Christian Vigrass, posted a Facebook status of “Another opera sung, another dead soprano.” That sums up most tragic operas and Pagliacci is no exception. I had a good time rehearsing and performing this little gem and I wish that Leoncavallo had written more verismo operas of this caliber. It was nice to work with Mark Rucker (Tonio) and Georgia Jarman (Nedda) again. I worked with Mark in Tosca and he is set to do our Rigoletto next November. Georgia was Violetta the last time we did La Traviata and I hope she returns again someday.

The next show of our season is Porgy and Bess which has a contractual obligation to cast an all African-American chorus. Since I am Dutch-American, I do not fit into this category and won’t be onstage for this opera. Even though I can’t participate, I am excited to have OGR perform Gershwin’s story of Catfish Row again since the last time it was very successful.

Opera Grand Rapids has finally moved to our permanent home at the Betty Van Andel Opera Center. We are unpacking and trying to adjust to new phone and computer systems as well as new furniture and fixtures. My office is disorganized and I am not sure what to do first, next and last. I think I need a break from opera for a few days!