Finally, Summer! In the four and a half years I have been in Portland I have grown to really enjoy this city. But I won't lie to you...I am still having trouble with the weather. Between the seemingly endless drizzle of England and the torrential rains of Asia I seem to have lived the vast proportion of my adult life in wet-weather zones when what I really like is Marin County's climate. Still, Rose Festival Week is over so the rain has let up temporarily and we are having some glorious days. So, what with it being Summer time and all I am not feeling the urge to raise complex, intellectually challenging/stimulating topics; I thought I'd go with lighter fare for a week or two. Switch the Sancerre for a crisp Pinot Grigio. Listen to old Dylan albums and hold off on worrying whether Deborah Voight has lost some of the power in her voice along with all that weight. Of course should you have a subject in mind that you would like me to address don't hold back.
So, first off. Can you really break a glass just with your voice? Jim Gillette, a heavy-metal rock singer claimed that as part of his act, he regularly shattered glasses with sound. Gillette claimed that he had once done it with his voice alone but had gotten badly cut and so now did it by amplifying his voice through a sound system. Gillette readily disclosed the secrets of how he did it: the technique required the use of a particular brand of glass and placing a board with a two-inch hole in front of the loudspeaker. No board, no smash. Dr. Roger Schwenke, Staff Scientist with Meyer Sound in Berkeley, California - a company which makes high-end equipment for recording studios and rock concerts - teamed up with opera singer Genevieve Christianson and Jaime Vendera, a rock singer and vocal coach to see whether a glass would shatter without the board. Both singers succeeded in doing this under controlled studio conditions and when they were invited to repeat the trick on Good Morning America repeated it in rehearsal though when show time came only Vendera was actually able to shatter the glass. The performance was repeated at the Castro cinema in San Francisco and on that occasion after a number of attempts Vendera shattered the glass without any amplification! No one seems to have yet worked out what the deal with the board is.
You remember last week I told you ab out Opera Theater Oregon's annual fund-raiser? It took place on Saturday evening at the Someday Lounge on NW 5th just off Burnside. Before telling you what a great event this was and how you all need to support this organisation I do need to divulge that I actually played a small part in the evening's entertainment. After reviewing OTO's last show - a wonderful silent movie of Carmen with live music - I had told Katie Taylor the Artistic Director of OTO that I would be happy to give her organisation a plug here from time to time. Well last week I received an email from her inviting me to play the part of a Judge in the trial scene from Kurt Weill's Here Lies Jenny. I replied that I should be delighted, particularly as I still have my gear from when I practised as a barrister - wig, gown, pink tights. I thought she would realise that the pink tights bit was a joke but the next thing I knew I was lined up to play the Judge in wig, gown...and hot-pink Spandex tights! Normally of course these would only be worn by Republican federal judges during trial recesses and not shy English counsel in downtown bars. But I digress. Additionally I was to join the chorus in a performance of Bohemian Rhapsody the Freddie Mercury classic.
We had but three rehearsals and somehow Katie managed to get us all on the same page though I did have some small concerns as to what would happen when the pressure of Show Time took its toll. I need not have worried. The evening was a huge success. There was a live opera juke-box (pay your money and pick an aria from a supplied list), a silent auction, a dada-inspired movie, the afore-mentioned trial scene, with Katie as the wicked Jenny and your own Operaman as the hapless judge, and Bohemian Rhapsody, complete with a live rock band, to wind up the official part of the evening before everyone got down and partied. Fun was had and funds were raised.
Seriously, gentle readers, Opera Theater Oregon is a splendid organisation which deserves and earns our support. It is edgy, fun and wholly professional in its approach. Their 2008/2009 season opens in October with Gian Carlo Menotti's The Medium and will include the Baywatch version of Wagner's Das Rheingold. You may wish to read the second half of the previous sentence again. Yep...Baywatch/Rheingold. Eat your heart out Gerard Mortier! I would suggest you secure your season tickets now. You may expect reminders from me from time to time.
While trolling my usual (and sometimes unusual) assortment of music blogs the other day I came across this video and tho' it has nothing to do with opera it has everything to do with art, creativity and all around fun so I thought I should share it.
Friday of this week will be the last working day at Portland Opera for Sara Jane Patterson. She has been our Director of Music Administration and Education . Principal among her many duties has been the day-to-day care of Portland Opera's Studio Artists programme. I have commented here on a number of occasions what a wonderful programme that is and how it is a source of pride for the company and the cultural life of the city we live in. Thank you, Sara Jane. We will miss you. I will miss you. You go with the love and respect of all who have been touched by your warmth and professionalism and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your husband Paul much happiness and success. Ciao, bella!
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