"Enjoying a Busy* Performance Schedule" *Every singer wants to have a "busy performance schedule". Let me just take a moment to explain the difference between "busy" and "hectic". To be busy is to have a show and then to take a week or two off before having another show, possibly having a recital or concert in between or even during the rehearsal times. To other emerging professionals out there, heed this advice: "Stop there". That is all. Just stop, do not schedule more things. It may not seem like you have a lot scheduled, but when it comes around you will understand.

I made the mistake of signing up for a vocal competition during these performances of La Boheme/L'amico Fritz. The week after the Boheme and Fritz shows are done, I have the Boston Singers Resource select auditions. Then 2 weeks later I have the performances of Rigoletto in which I will be singing Borsa. During all of this I am juggling rehearsals for the Opera Scenes program at Gordon College. I would define this type of schedule as "hectic". To me it does not look too crazy. In practice however, it is. Trying to prepare arias for a competition and an audition while having rehearsals for 5 different roles and performing shows for 2 of those roles is difficult. I am not saying that I do not or will not enjoy these next crazy 5 weeks, just that is will be a bit more stressful and tiring on my voice then I am use to. I still intend on singing well enough to make it to the finals of the competition this weekend. Even though that would mean singing the finals and then driving straight to the performance of La Boheme/L'amico Fritz. Needless to say, I will be tired.

Speaking of the Boheme and Fritz, we are halfway through the performances of that now. Last night saw a slight dip in attendance (about half the numbers of opening night, no doubt caused by), but they were very responsive and enjoyed the show thoroughly. This is my first experience with the level of singing all in one night. It is definitely difficult to sing and after the show is over my voice is tired. Not so tired that I have to take a week off from singing, just a day or so. This is definitely helping with my stamina though, as last night I was not nearly as tired as opening night.

While I suggest having a busy schedule for you other emerging professionals, I recommend not going overboard too often. I have been performing and rehearsing every weekend since I got married this summer and it is not easy. It is fun yes, but you have to give yourself a rest. Learn from my situation and make sure to give yourself some room to breathe because you may not think so, but when the time comes you will be very glad that you have that brief respite.

- Gregory - ¶ 8:33 AM 1 comments

Rehearsal, it does a body good. Last night we had the last rehearsal for just the guys in La Boheme. Other then traffic and a late start, it went really well. To whet your opera appetite and hopefully entice you to come out and see us, I have uploaded a portion of the rehearsal. It is just a small bit from the beginning of the first act. I hope you all enjoy it and then come out to see the full show!

- Gregory - ¶ 9:56 AM 0 comments

Press Release The first show is in 9 days and counting. A press release has been issued for the first two shows. I have posted it below. I hope you all can come out and see it!

- Gregory -

Arts/Calendar Editors: Classical Music FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Leonardo Ciampa, 617-561-0913, orientheights@usa.com

Kill Date: 29 October 2007

"Sunday Night at the Opera" in Arlington & Belmont, October 21 & 28Opera scenes & arias from "La Boheme" & "L'Amico Fritz"Bizet songs sung by Petra Pacaric

SPONSOR This concert sponsored by Orient Heights Music, Inc.

WHO
Leonardo Ciampa, director & pianist with singers
Shadi Ebrahimi, soprano as Mimi & Suzel
Heather Poduska, mezzosoprano as Beppe
Andy Bonanno, tenor as Benoit & Federico
Gregory Hanson, tenor as Rodolfo & Fritz
Daniel Draper, bass-baritone as Marcello & David
Alexander Prokhorov, bass-baritone as Colline
John Hendricks, baritone as Schaunard & Hanezò
and Petra Pacaric, mezzosoprano sings Bizet songs

WHAT
"Sunday Night at the Opera"
Puccini's "La Bohème," Scene I;
Mascagni's "L'Amico Fritz," Scene III
- plus songs by Georges Bizet

TWO PERFORMANCES
Sunday, October 21, 2007 at 7 PM: Pleasant Street Congregational Church, 75 Pleasant St., Arlington
Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 7 PM: Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St., Belmont

TICKETS
$10 adults, $5 children Tickets available at the door.
INFO 617/561-0913 or e-mail orientheights@usa.com
Learn more at http://orientheights.org/

"Sunday Night at the Opera" presents two evenings of favorite opera scenes from Puccini and Mascagni and songs by Bizet under the direction of Leonardo Ciampa of Orient Heights Music. Soprano Shadi Ebrahim and tenor Gregory Hanson sing the roles of star-crossed lovers Mini and Rodolfo (Puccini) and Fritz and Suzel (Mascagni); their friends Benoit, Marcello, Schaunard, Beppe, Federico, David and Hanezo will sing their way into your heart. Acclaimed mezzosoprano Petra Pacaric will sing a group of songs by Georges Bizet. The two performances take place on:* Sunday, October 21, 2007 at 7 PM at Pleasant Street Congregational Church, 75 Pleasant St., Arlington, and* Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 7 PM at Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St., Belmont.

Maestro Ciampa finds his singers through a slightly unusual audition process. He was determined not to hire "opera singers" but, rather, "great musicians with great voices, who happen to sing opera." For the audition everyone was required to sing both arias and art songs. As a result he heard an amazing crop of singers with great voices but also great musicianship. And this was his goal: to surround himself with the highest talent. "Everyone has this desire to give the best musical performance they can. That way, no one shines; we all illuminate each other."

Ciampa continues "I came to know and love opera through my family. My grandmother was Italian, and she bought Italian opera records because that was part of her culture. Her father used to play Caruso records, so these singers and opera were a part of my grandmother's home life, and then my mother's, and then mine. I heard Bjoerling, Tebaldi, Milanov, and Leonard Warren long before I knew how great they were." Ciampa documented his quest for beautiful singing in the book, 'The Twilight of Belcanto,' published by AuthorHouse and now in its second edition.

Tickets for this concert sponsored by Orient Heights Music, Inc. are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and will be available at the door. For further information, please call 617/561-0913 or visit http://www.orientheights.org/.

¶ 8:18 AM 0 comments

Saturation The past few weeks have gone by in quite a blur. I have been studying my music and practicing at every available moment. Opening night for Boheme/Fritz is in 10 days. I am just a bit nervous as we have not yet had a full runthrough of either show. Unfortunately I think that will be the case until next Friday when we have the dress rehearsal. However I have been going over the music so much that I wake up in the middle of the night with the recit going around in my head, so I think I will be ok.

I am currently in the middle of reading "Great Singers on Great Singing" by Jerome Hines. It is incredible. I will be writing a more in depth post about this book soon, but I need to get through the first performance before I will be able to finish the book. I am sure I will repeat this in a future post, but I highly suggest this book to all vocalists.

- Gregory - ¶ 9:09 AM 0 comments