Updates
TCO Press Conference Report from WICZ TV
A news report (and video) from WICZ TV Binghamton on the TCU press conference is on the WICZ website here. The video is here.…
TCO press conference to welcome new General Director Susan Ashbaker
(from the Tri-Cities Opera Board release) Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 10:00am, you’re invited to the Clinton Street Opera Center, Binghamton, NY, as members of the Tri-Cities Opera Board of Directors introduce our new General Director, Ms. Susan Ashbaker. Additionally, we will announce our incoming Resident Artist roster, and other details of our 2014-2015 Season of REVENGE… REVELRY… REDEMPTION!
Ms. Ashbaker comes to TCO with a wealth of experience on both sides of the opera and music industry. An author and lecturer, she has also served as Executive Director, Director of Artistic and Music Administration, Vocal Coach, Master Class Presenter, Collaborative Pianist, and Singer Advocate. She has been a frequent judge for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Ms. Ashbaker was affiliated with the Opera Company of Philadelphia for 16 years leading the casting practices and identifying and offering opportunities to young singers. She also worked as assistant conductor and vocal coach with the New York City Opera, European Center for Opera and Vocal Arts (Belgium), New Israeli Vocal Arts Institute, International Vocal Arts Institute in Montreal, Theater am Goetheplatz (Bremen, Germany), and the Academy of Vocal Arts.
Don’t forget to join us at the opera center, 315 Clinton Street, Binghamton, NY on Thursday, July 24th at 10:00am!
Learn more about Tri-Cities Opera on their website here.…
Learning from Matthew Rose
It is always wonderful when the tables turn and a student you have worked with teaches the teacher, or in this case, the coach. Having gone to the Metropolitan Opera with two singers that I currently work with, Gerard Michael D’Emilio and Kelsey Stark, to see Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream in October, I was greeted backstage by three former students from The Curtis Institute of Music – Matthew Rose (Bottom), Elizabeth DeShong (Hermia) and Evan Hughes (Starveling). They had each performed spectacularly. Matthew’s performance of Bottom truly defines the role. It was beautifully sung and acted with great skill. Michael mentioned to Matthew that he really enjoyed Matthew’s new recording of Schubert’s Winterreise. This resulted in Matthew journeying to my studio in Philadelphia to work with Michael. Matthew’s insight into the song cycle was amazing. He had not left any word, rhythm, note, dynamic, or meaning unturned. Michael and I listened and learned in amazement. If you have not yet purchased Matthew’s recording, it is a must have. I have listened several times to the journey that Matthew invites us on, and am grateful to know both the music,and the wonderful man who is singing it. Schubert’s Winterreise by Matthew Rose can be found on Amazon.…