Great start, SEMELE cast!

Nice work on our initial rehearsals, folks. Between now and the end of next week, everyone please get me your schedules for next semester, including any Sunday conflicts you have. I schedule rehearsals around YOUR lives, and need your help to do so. You may email it to me or leave a hard copy pinned to my bulletin board.

Chorus: we did not work on two choruses: "Avert these omens" and "Endless pleasure." Those WILL be in our performances, so please learn them.

Everyone: come back with notes and rhythms SOLID, ready to make music. There will be no note-pounding after break. If you have any concerns about how to go about learning this music, please see me BEFORE you leave for the holidays. It is my job and my pleasure to help you through the process.

Love y'all madly!

Congratulations Opera Scenes folks!

Darlings,

I'm so proud of you. Lovely job last night! In spite of some unexpected events and a full house, you all rolled with the punches and retained your concentration. You should be very pleased with a solid show.

I propose we make YOGURT MOUNTAIN our new post-show tradition! That was amazing.

No class Tuesday. Have a fabulous Thanksgiving! I'll see you all in class the Tuesday after Thanksgiving for DVD viewing and post-performance analysis. Till then, bask in the afterglow.

Love y'all more than my luggage,

Dr. Kris

Acting food for thought, opera singers!

Here's the first installment of acting classes by Uta Hagen, acting teacher extraordinaire.

Three new blogs I found...

Here's a new blog I found through my college friend and colleague, Jean-Ronald LaFond:

http://susan-oncemorewithfeeling.blogspot.com/

Read the latest post...good food for thought, young singers.

And, for some of the best acting teaching around, nothing beats Ute Hagen. A blog based on her work, including a wonderful link, is at

http://respectforopera.blogspot.com/

And a blog on the history of bel canto singing...

http://belcantoforum.com/

Read and learn!

Thought for the day

"I see the notion of talent as quite irrelevant. I see instead perseverance, application, industry, assiduity, will, will, will, desire, desire, desire."--Gordon Lish

Congratulations Opera Scenes folks!

As we discussed, we have advanced to the semi-final round of the National Opera Association Opera Scenes competition. We are allowed to bring one 8-10 minute scene from FIGARO. Based on yesterday's rehearsal, I'd like to bring part of Act II. Tyler, Jess, Charles, Brianna, and Ryan, please check your email for details. We have a choice to make.

We also will bring one scene to the Rotary Club holiday function on December 16. I would like to bring Act I FIGARO, but that scene needs work--YOUR work. Show me you can do it! COSI folks, you're on deck.

More later...

Dr. Kris

SEMELE cast list

Jupiter, God of the Sky: Shane Bloemetijie
Cadmus, King of Thebes: Tyler Henderson
Semele, daughter to Cadmus: Brianna Moore
Athamas, a prince of Bœotia: Charles Daniel
Somnus, God of Sleep: Will Sparks
Apollo, God of the Sun: Kuni Scissum
Juno, Jupiter’s wife/ Ino, Semele’s sister: Jessica Johnson
Understudy for Ino: Lindsay Warner
Iris, confidant of Juno: Maegan Reid

CHORUS

SOPRANO
Rhea Reuter
Lindsay Warner
Lori Ayler
Leah Eiland

ALTO
Madison Holler
Hillary Miller
Bianca Ford
Sarah Grace Stevenson

TENOR
Kuni Scissum
Brian Denton
Mark Kunkel

BASS
Jacob Wooten
Justin Beatty
Chris Barbee
Aaron Grayson

Thanks to all who auditioned! I'm looking forward to a fabulous production. Stay tuned here and check the opera board for announcements: check BOTH daily. Cast meeting will be as soon as the scores arrive.