NOTES from Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Woke up this morning to the enticing aroma of fresh brewed coffee and sizzling bacon emanating from the Bobcat’s kitchen. Amy has a talented for stimulating the appetite of those of us who swore off breakfast long ago. While fresh fruit and yogurt are always served in abundance at her table, I generally leave those as a garnish to her handsomely prepared dishes containing carbs, dairy and protein. I ran a couple of miles on the desert highway last night to prepare myself for this morning ritual at the Bobcat. By 10:30, I was driving down St. Francis on my way to the opera house for auditions of the Santa Fe Apprentices beginning at 11:00am. Not only is this an exceptional opportunity to hear the best of the young artists coming up in the field today, it is also an opportunity to connect with other peers, agents and artists in our industry, exchanging ideas and negotiating future plans. While this is not the time or place to be signing the bottom line on deals, one can’t help feeling inspired by the energy and creativity that swirls through the conversations at these auditions.

At 8:30pm last night, Adriana Mater made its American Debut on stage at the Santa Fe to a sold out audience. With the critical success of L’Amour de Loin in the 2002 season, composer Kaija Saariaho was welcomed back to Santa Fe with a passionate, congratulatory ovation. Along with her collaborator, writer Amin Maalouf, she has crafted a poetically beautiful composition that reveals the emotional path of four characters seeking redemption for one moment in time that tragically bound them together. The cast of four broke through the misplaced visceral if not down right ordinary staging with emotionally compelling performances only to be outmatched by their vocal and musical prowess. Kudos to Monica Cooper performing the title role of Ardriana Mater, Pia Freund as her sister Refka, Matthew Best singing Tsargo the father of Yonas, Adriana’s son, performed by Joseph Kaiser, and finally to Maestro Ernest Martinez Isquierdo who masterfully led the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra through this rich, new score.

Tonight we are all looking forward to the new production of Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd.

Next Post: NOTES From Friday, August 1^st, 2008

posted by David

David Roth's Santa Fe trip

NOTES from Wednesday, July 30^th, 2008:

On Tuesday afternoon I arrived in Albuquerque via Burbank, compliments of Southwest. Easy flight, with this traveler happy to use the online check-in that allots a boarding number in lieu of a seat assignment. The Sunport airport in Albuquerque has perfected the art of getting travelers to their rental cars with the most efficient shuttles. In minutes, I was on the road to my favorite B&B in the world, the Bobcat Inn, located one driveway away from the Bobcat Bite serving the world’s finest hamburger. Since I hadn't eaten through the day of transit and it was now working on 4:30pm, the aroma of grilled beef wafting across the highway called to me and my stomach. I'm pleased to report neither were disappointed. After a quick nap in my room at the Bobcat, I freshened up and headed off to the opera.

This time of year, because of its open auditorium design and the late arrival of sunset, curtain time at the Santa Fe Opera is 8:30pm. The offering on Tuesday was Giuseppe Verdi's final opera Falstaff, based on Shakespeare's comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Verdi and his cherished librettist Boito took the essence of Shakespeare's play but focused their attention on the ladies’ ardent admirer, Sir John Falstaff. My ol' university pal, Franco Pomponi sang the role of FORD, while Anthony Michaels-Moore was making his debut in the title role. The cast did not fail us, vocally or dramatically, with a delightful ensemble that brought playfulness and spontaneity to the evening’s proceedings. In general, the sets by Allen Moyer were quite effective except for the final scene in the forest that was seemed surprisingly unmagical and sparse compared to the creative scenes that came before it. Paolo Arrivabeni made his American debut, leading the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra in a well paced, colorful performance that matched the lively performances of the artists onstage.

Tonight, Wednesday evening, I will attend the American premiere of Kaija Saariaho's new opera Adriana Mater. At this time, I’m off to the Coyote Cafe on Water Street for lunch with Franco , his wife Chris and parents Joe and Gila visiting from Northbrook Illinois. Joining us for lunch will be Maestro David Jackson from New York.

Photo from Diana Ross concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

Next Post: Notes from Thursday, July 31st.

posted by David

From the Pirates Costume Designer

PART 2
We have entered the final third of the summer build. Where did June and July go? However, a grand milestone has been achieved. The last mockup for the chorus ladies was fit last Wednesday! And we fit the last chorus gent for the summer. Plus a had a very productive second fitting with Natalie Krupansky, our Ruth. She was a sweetheart and drove in from Lexington just for us. As ever, Margaret’s patterns were right on, and the stitching was super. A few minor adjustments, and we will see Natalie in October for a final check and to fit some boots. Now it’s on to finish assembling the children’s costumes, which we will fit again in October when we are closer to performance and the children will have grown all they are going to before Opening Night.

Posted by Holly

A note from Heather: I did take some video of this fitting (it was all proper and G rated) and as soon as I can work out some editing details, I will post the video here.

Where's David Roth?? part 3

Our dear David is in Santa Fe this entire week and his staff doesn't know what they will do without him!

Yesterday he saw his friend, Franco Pomponi, sing Ford in Falstaff. Tomorrow (Wednesday 7/30) he will see Adriana Matter starring Monica Groop , Thursday (7/31) Billy Budd with Teddy Tahu Rhodes who is undeniably very hot, Friday (8/1) he will finally get to work and see auditions of the Apprentices and then will see David Daniels' Santa Fe Opera debut with Handel's Radamisto. The only pieces Roth will miss in Santa Fe's schedule, is The Marriage of Figaro and The Apprentice Showcase.
I will try to get a full report upon his return.

While out west, David tells me he hopes to go to the Bobcat Bite for what is notably the best hamburger in Santa Fe.

Posted by Heather

Where's David Roth?? Part 2

Yesterday our illustrious leader, David Roth, was in Cincinnati to see the Reds beat San Diego 9-5. He also got to see Eglise Gutiérrez as Violetta in Cincinnati Opera's La Traviata.
He is traveling today to Los Angeles to see either the Dodgers take on the Washington Nationals, or Diana Ross at the Hollywood bowl with the LA Philharmonic. What a diverse character.

I think he will be doing auditions in LA and then to Santa Fe for OPERA OPERA OPERA!! (And some auditions there as well.) He will be sending me posts from the road so we will see how Santa Fe's season is going.

Photo: From the Turandot cast party, Garnett Bruce, Maestro Joe Rescigno, with David Roth.

Posted by Heather

From the Pirates Costume Designer

Introducing the Kentucky Opera Costume Shop Crew: Josette Miles, head of Costume Department. Mary Vessels, KOA stitcher. Donna Ensor and Nancy, stitchers , usually at Louisville Ballet. Margaret Fenske, Cutter/Draper from Actor's Theatre of Louisville Staff. Shari Cochran, Milliner, also ATL staff.

July 17, 2008. We hit the midway point in the summer build of Pirates. So much is done, so much more to do! Donna and Nancy, stitchers extraordinaire on loan from the Louisville Ballet, are really moving through the chorus' bodices. Mary is on vacation, and we await her return. Today was another action filled day for Josette and I. We cut 2 bodices and belts completely out, did 3 fittings on 5 costumes, and ordered supplies. Jennifer and Johnny Warren came in from Bardstown. She looked adorable in her bicycling bloomers, and he fits into his Bobby Uniform and Pirate ensembles quite well, just a kerchief and a baldric to be found. Margaret was in for the fittings and will be back Monday for the start of Phase 2: the Children's Fittings. We just keep moving forward. No backward steps allowed!

Posted by Holly

Behind the Scenes: Costume Shop

We are starting to get the hang of this whole blog thing.
Check out this fun behind the scenes You Tube slide show!



Costume design by Holly Jenkins Evans

Posted by Heather