Leap Day Update!!

It's been too long... again!

Working backwards... I was just in Sacramento Opera's final production of the season (I'm 3 for 3 productions in the company's bounce-back year!), singing Count Monterone in Verdi's RIGOLETTO. What a great cast, lead by David Small (Rigoletto), Katrina Thurman (Gilda), Scott Ramsay (the Duke), and directed by the incomparable Chuck Hudson. It's always a great thing to spend time in such close quarters with your colleagues, doing great work with great artists, telling stories, learning about each other's lives, sharing many laughs, feeling supported after getting a drink thrown on you by a random drunk guy at the hotel bar... The sad part happens when it's all over, and we go back to our respective homes, or to the next gig. This opera community is a small world, so I'm sure we'll cross paths again soon, but it's still a bit sad to part ways. Just another occupational hazard...

Here are a couple shots from the production

While in Sacramento, I was asked to give a workshop on vocal technique to the Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus. It was a thrill to impart some new insights to the group, and to get to work with them as a conductor for a while. Making music in a choral setting - with many voices blending into one mass of sound - is something I haven't been part of for a long time. I'm excited that I'll have more opportunities to work with this fine group in the future!

Before that... I had the most EPIC concert experience! CARMINA BURANA with the combined forces of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, Oakland Youth Orchestra, Oakland Symphony Chorus, and Oakland Youth Chorus. Soloists were yours truly, Carrie Hennessey (Soprano), and Brian Thorsett (Tenor). Michael Morgan, Bryan Nies, and Lynne Morrow shared the helm for this grand celebration - the merging of the two symphonies and chorus as "East Bay Performing Arts". Here's a photo, which couldn't contain everyone on stage...

And another, with Maestro Bryan Nies, and Soprano Carrie Hennessey at the reception.

On to the next!! Lots of things are in the works... and it's turning into an exciting year ahead! BIG THANKS to my wonderful team at Cadenza Artists for all the love, energy, and support they put into my career!! Stay tuned for more news...

Z

PAGLIACCI at Sacramento Opera. An Opera Company Re-born!

It's day two of being home from a glorious production of Pagliacci, announcing the revival of Sacramento Opera. Being part of such a strong cast was a real treat, but we all had the added energy and resolve of making a real impact with our work. This Pagliacci was the first staged production by this wonderful company since it had to suspend operations last year - another casualty of the depressed economy. The end result was a performance (overseen by Rod Gideons, shaped by stage director David Bartholomew and conductor Michael Morgan with the Sacramento Philharmonic) which was a truly vital, human, and engaging experience.

All this, with the curve-ball of losing our Canio (Roy Cornelius Smith, who is a consummate artist and a generous colleague) to a dream job doing the same role at Royal Danish Opera - while only a couple days into rehearsals. We wished Roy farewell, and had the good fortune of Eduardo Villa stepping in for him, and just enough time (9 days) to re-build the incredible bond that the cast had with Roy. Everyone: cast, chorus, crew, really pulled together like a tightly knit tribe. A clear indicator that our "tribe" has a deeper purpose. Seeing this happen around me, and being such an integral part of it was truly awe-inspiring. 

Among the rest of the cast was the singular Shana Blake Hill, as Nedda. It was such a joy to hear her sing, to act with her, watch her process, and to bond as cast mates and as dear friends. Side note: I have been so lucky to have such great leading lady counterparts, and have kept in touch and made true friends of all of them!    It was really comforting and invigorating to be in the company of colleagues that truly cared for their craft, and gave of themselves so completely to the work. Igor Vieira, our Tonio, was another shining example of that. His character gestures were so completely integrated (even in rehearsal!) that he would need to spend time stretching and doing physical therapy so the contortions wouldn't actually injure him. Then there was Daniel Ebbers, who was so definitive (and imparted great vocal beauty) in his Beppe that I really can't imagine anyone else doing that role. 

The audience was another triumph: people from many different ages and backgrounds, and many first time opera goers. This form of expression really does cross all boundaries, and can speak to everyone. 

So I, at once humbled and energized, now turn my thoughts to the next phase... Auditions and meetings in NYC, as part of the annual "audition season" AKA: singer's meat market... or slaughter house - depending on who you ask. Many exciting projects are in the works, which I'll let you all know about very soon!

Tre stelle: Eduardo Villa (Canio), Shana Blake Hill (Nedda), Zachary Gordin (Silvio).