… because Bach is always good for the heart. As is cello. Here are New York Philharmonic cellists playing Bach’s Suite No. 1 for unaccompanied Cello. (No, they don’t play it together … each player takes a movement.)
Opera San Jose will be streaming the Mozart opera Idomeneo. Read about it below. And yes, I played in the Opera San Jose orchestra (we are members of the company).
Here is the info:
Beginning April 18 and available through May 18, OSJ invites you to view a FREE live stream viewing of its breathtaking 2011 production of Mozart’s first dramatic masterpiece, the rarely produced Idomeneo: ré di Creta. Hailed as “arguably the most extravagant production ever at Opera San José,” (ArtsSF) this lavish realization of Idomeneo featured a cast of 73 singers, with 41 chorus members, 14 ballet dancers, 180 Cretan costumes, and an elaborate three-story-high set inspired by Crete’s ancient history. This production truly encapsulates the artistry, musicality, and experience of the dedicated professionals that OSJ’s Artists and Musicians Relief Fund is currently supporting during this unprecedented time. Donate now to continue to support our artist, musicians and artisans.
Jointly produced with the Packard Humanities Institute, which generously underwrote the production and all rights for continued sharing online, this rarely presented, larger-than-life work features ground-breaking performances by artists who have since gone on to international fame, dance segments by choreographer Dennis Nahat performed by the Ballet San Jose (which ceased operations in 2016), and an orchestra conducted by world-famed Mozart interpreter George Cleve (who passed away in 2015). It was met with critical acclaim, with The Mercury News calling it a “jaw-dropping, must-see production,” and the San Francisco Chronicle applauding the company’s “vividly colorful” execution mixed “with a keen sense of Mozartean style.”
Synopsis
Performance date: September 8, 2011
Conductor: George Cleve
Stage Director: Brad Dalton
Choreographer: Denis Nahat
Set Design: Steven C. Kemp
Costume Designer: Johann Stegmeir
Lighting Designer: Christopher Ostrom
Cast:
Ilia: Rebecca Davis
Idamante: Aaron Blake
Elettra: Christina Major
Arbace: Nova Safo
Nettuno: Paul Gemignani
Idomeneo: Christopher Bengochea
High Priest: Mathew Edwardsen
The Voice: Silas Elash
While I am so very thankful all but one of my students is continuing with lessons during this stressful time, I am finding teaching via Facetime or Google Hangout to be so much more tiring that having students here in my studio. I have put breaks between each student (from 5 minutes to my preferred 15) just so I can breathe, walk a bit, and get books ready for the next student. Even with that break I am utterly exhausted after only three students. I don’t know how colleagues who do this all day deal with it. They sure have my admiration!
If I could, I would charge more for online lessons, due to how grueling they are. But of course I won’t: my students have stuck with me and I can’t punish them by making the fee higher, despite it being more work for me. (And I’ve lost thousands due to symphony and opera being over for now.)
So it goes … and I’m hoping I’ll adjust and things will get easier as time goes by, because I think we are going to be doing this much longer than we all hope.
Love love love … I grew up with Carole King. So of course seeing the woman herself hit my heart.
Enjoy this bassoon duo:
Fei Xie, Principal Bassoon
J. Christopher Marshall, bassoon
Mozart’s Sonata for Two Bassoons, K. 292
At Home Performances
Orchestra Hall may be temporarily closed, but our musicians are still practicing and performing and want to continue to share their music with you. Enjoy this ongoing series of small concerts created for all of us, directly from our musicians’ homes.
View the series: www.minnesotaorchestra.org/athome
