If you are interested in the opera I’m playing, and even if you can’t afford to go to the opera itself, you could get a little “taste ‘o opera” on September 6. Here’s the info:

The Crucible by Robert Ward

Preview/Lecture (Free)
Tue Sep 6 – noon to 1pm, Wendel Education Center (1st floor) at the San José Museum of Art in downtown San José. Lecturer Larry Hancock will speak on the upcoming performance of Robert Ward’s The Crucible presented by Opera San José from September 10 through September 25 at the California Theatre. Principal artists from Opera San José’s production will sing arias. Co-sponsored by the San José Opera Guild, Opera San José, and the San José Museum of Art. Gerry Pighini (408-275-6199) or at this email address.

We had our first orchestra rehearsal yesterday, and will have another this evening. Singers then join us for the remaining rehearsals. Since this is a new opera for me I am especially frustrated about not being able to see or hear the singers. Will Opera San José ever deem us important enough to at least provide us with monitors? Nearly every musical theatre production I’ve done in San Francisco sets us up with monitors. In my little opinion hearing the singers is even more important for opera. Especially an opera such as this one.

Ah well. Opera is still my favorite gig! The Opera San José orchestra is my favorite orchestra. And the California Theatre is my favorite hall. There you go.
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