Posts Tagged ‘opera’
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, February 19th, 2009
By Devorah Ben-David
Courtesy of the Dong-a Ilbo Newspaper in Seoul, South Korea
Danielle Talamantes grew up listening to the sound of classical music. But singing became her first love after watching the musical “My Fair Lady” at home in Vienna.
Today Talamantes, who will perform locally this spring with the Price William Symphony, Capitol Hill Chorale and Capitol City Symphony, travels the world as a classical vocalist and a lyrical coloratura soprano, embodying a distinctive operatic style that’s distinguished by agile runs and leaps. Her clean voice is marked by depth and color variation.
A typical day for the diva includes studying translations, watching work-related videos and preparing for recitals. She practices singing for approximately two hours per day, but only in carefully divided increments of time to protect her vocal chords.
According to Talamantes, who studied voice in North America and Europe, “I think of songs as poems set to music with its own story, character and mini opera.”
Visit www.danielletalamantes.com for additional details and upcoming performances.
(February 2009)
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
National Opera Initiative Reaches Out to New Audiences
By Willona Sloan
Washington National Opera brought their production of “La Bohème” to 32 high schools nationwide via live simulcasts. Courtesy of Washington National Opera
With legendary Plácido Domingo at the helm, Washington National Opera (WNO) has secured its base of traditional fans peeking through opera glasses to catch the onstage action. Last fall WNO revolutionized the opera experience. In an effort to reach new audiences, the company’s unconventional performance of Puccini’s “La Bohème” was brought to the National Mall and to 32 high schools, colleges and universities, from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco via live simulcasts. The successful event was just one of the many innovative ideas WNO has implemented to cultivate a new crop of opera lovers.
“We are going around the country to attract young viewers to the world of opera,” said WNO president Kenneth Feinberg. “We must find ways to attract young audiences to opera and show them that it doesn’t have to be something that is stuffy.”
Despite its dusty image, opera is an art form that can actually speak to the iGeneration. To bridge the gap, WNO offers local schools several opportunities to both expose young students to the beauty of opera and assist educators who want to infuse the complex art form into their curricula. The Student Dress Rehearsal Program gives middle and high school-aged youth a chance to peek into final dress rehearsals of WNO’s main stage productions. In addition to free access to top-rate performances, students receive a CD and resource information to help them better understand the production. For younger children (grades 3-6) there is the “Opera Look-In” program, featuring a performance and an up-close look at how operas are put together, including demos of technical special effects.
WNO offers a diverse array of activities to meet the needs of different educational programs. “We send docents to high schools, public and private schools, charter schools and even home-schools,” said Rebecca Kirk, associate, Education & Community Programs. “We have really reached out to students nationally and locally.” WNO also works with local libraries and even helps Brownie and Junior Girl Scout troops to earn an “Art of Opera” patch. WNO hasn’t forgotten about the young professionals (i.e., emerging donors). Generation O is a social org for 18- to 35-year-old fans who gain access to exclusive performances by the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists and behind-the-scenes adventures.
Through all its outreach, WNO wants to spread a simple message that even a kid can understand: Opera really can be fun.
Educators interested in integrating opera into the curriculum should call 202-448-3465 or email education@dc-opera.org. Visit www.dc-opera.org for information about WNO.
(February 2008)