Young Artists
August 12th, 2007 by Fern
Ravinia Festival Masterclass
Living in the area, I made time to get over to one of the Ravinia Festival’s Steans Institute for Young Artists open (and free) master classes this week. What a treat! James Conlon graciously gave the audience history and background on the music and the composer, then listened intently and critiqued three young singers. Two sopranos and a mezzo, in this summer’s program performed pieces by Zemlinsky with varying skills.
The afternoon was an education for me as well as wonderful entertainment. I came away feeling I had learned quite a few new things about voice. And I couldn’t wait to get to my computer and let my OVI colleague in Florida know that one of the students had been a Florida Grand Opera Studio Artist last season. Of course, he knew her! What fun to be so opera connected!
I had a similar experience 3 weeks ago here in Waimea, Hawaii!
The Hawaiian Performing Arts Festival featured Ricky Ian Gordon as composer-in-residence for the month-long festival. Gordon recently premiered his Grapes of Wrath at Minnesota Opera, and was here for his Orfeo and Euridice opera. He gave a 90 minute coaching session for about 6-8 young opera singers, where they sang poetry set to his music. You will hear his compositions sung by Audra McDonald, Renee Fleming, Dawn Upshaw, and Elizabeth Futral!
He was very approachable, and generous with his time to these young singers!
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
I am a young opera singer and I would like to know, how to register for your project. I heard a lot of and I am very interested to take place this year.
Please answer to:
Thorsten-Buettner@web.de
Best wishes for 2008,
Thorsten Büttner
Dear Thorsten,
I think you are referring to the Ravinia Festival Stearns’ Institute program that I wrote about. This is not our (Opera Volunteers International’s) program, but one that is run by the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. The Ravinia Festival and the Steans Institue have several websites; why don’t you try one and see if you can get some specific information?
Good luck!
Fern