Saturday, February 26, 2011

Sophie Fournier Sings La Mort de Cléopâtre



SLO Carmen star Sophie Fournier is featured in this documentary clip where she is interviewed about singing Berlioz's La Mort de Cléopâtre

Monday, February 21, 2011

Chin Yong, 6 July 1958 – 2 February 2011


The Mad Scene is saddened to report the passing of Malaysian tenor Chin Yong (陳容)on 2 Feb 2011 from a heart attack at the age of 53. Chin Yong is widely regarded as Malaysia's best opera singer and the only one of international standards. He is also a regular feature on Singapore's stages especially in SLO concerts during Leow Siak Fah's directorship, which resulted in the two of them forming the Three Asia Pacific Tenors (I can't remember who the third one was). Audiences will remember his ringing, hefty lyrical spinto, floating soft tones and heartfelt sensitivity.

Malaysian papers are already full of reports on this sad turn of events, his funeral was apparently attended by a 500 strong procession led by his wife and son. Find out more about Chin Yong on his Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armando_Chin_Yong).


ChinYong on YouTube:





Saturday, February 19, 2011

Cathay Cineplex to Screen Covent Garden's "Carmen in 3D"


Covent Garden aka the Royal Opera House's Carmen in 3D project is coming to Singapore! Join Christine Rice (Carmen), Bryan Hymel (Don Jose), Aris Argiris (Escamillo), and Constantinos Carydis (conductor) in Francesca Zambello’s popular production that has already been seen live in Australia, Taipei and now London. Read below to find out more:

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

SLO's Opera Cafe on 10 March 2011


The Singapore Lyric Opera's popular Opera Cafe is back again on 10 March. Those of you looking to take your warbling out of the bathroom and onto an actual stage can find out more via their press release:

-------------------------------

Aspiring opera performers can now have a platform to showcase their pipes at Opera Café on 10 March 2011, 7.30pm at the Arts House!

A collaboration to demystify Opera and to provide a platform for opera fans to sing their favourite tunes, Opera Café is an especially crafted outreach programme designed out of the belief that there are many who love Opera tunes and aspire to sing them. The highlight is a 40-minute segment where aspiring singers/ voice students could make their presentation of a song or two (subject to selection process). There will also be an audience sing-a-long segment.

Join us to have a go at your favourite tunes, or just have a listen and encourage your friend to enhance their singing skill, whilst relaxing at the Opera Café.

For Performers

• Price: SGD 30 – inclusive of x01 run with accompanist on the day itself (x02 songs, either aria or art songs), and x01 welcome drink (soft drinks only).

• For aspiring performers, please contact: admin@singaporeopera.com.sg or production@singaporeopera.com.sg or +65 6336 1929 to arrange for your audition and rehearsal. Hurry as registration closes on 1st March 2011!

• Performers are kindly requested to perform pieces that do not attract the copyright issue, i.e. pieces above 75 years rule.

Closing date: 1 March 2011
Audition date: 4 March 2011

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Lee Jae Wook Sings Messiah



This 2006 performance of Messiah has SLO Carmen star Lee Jae Wook in the tenor part. Video starts first with the overture, then we'll get to see how the primo tenore copes with florid coloratura at 3:52. You can also click on this link to start the video at the singing portion. Note however that the performance is in Korean, but we at The Mad Scene firmly believe that coloratura overcomes every language barrier.


Sunday, February 13, 2011

Music and Arts Discovery Tour to Europe


Lovers of classical music and other arts and culture might be interested in this topic-specific cultural trip across Europe. On this package tour you will get to visit locales that have inspired the great composers and artists. Read below for more information:


11 Days Music and Arts Discovery Tour to Europe


 (10. 6. 2011) June holidays


Visit Museum, Houses and Gardens of great composers and artists:-Chopin, Debussy, Satie, Mozart, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso.      
An inspiring tour just for all music students, teachers and art lovers.            
Life stories and works of great artists will be introduced on the journey.
France, Paris
Chopin trail in Paris                                                            
Debussy’s house                                                                             
Monet’s  Giverny Garden                                                                  
Louvre museum                                                                              
Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa                                                          
Versailles Palace                                                                                      
Arc de Triomphe                                                                                    
Eiffel Tower                                                                                          
Notre Dame Cathedral




Austria, Salzburg and Innsbruck                                          
Mozart’s birthplace, The Mozarteum                                                    
The Sound of Music Tour                                                          
Swarovski Crystal


Germany, Munich
King Ludwig’s Neushwanstein Castle                                     
Wagner                                                                        
Oberammagau                                                                                 
Balvarian State Opera House


Estimated expenses --  $3,300 plus $500 taxes, entrance fees and concert tickets
Registration closes once we reach 35 pax. 


Enquiries:  Eunice Ng (Mrs. Low) 97307261     Organiser : Artz Platform



Thursday, February 10, 2011

Cheap Broadway and West End Tickets


For all of you who are heading to Broadway or the West End, here's a site that claims to offer tickets to almost every popular show at reasonably cheap prices. Check it out and see if you can find any great bargains:

http://www.theaterseatstore.com/best-theater-ticket-deals

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Upcoming Events in Feb


Baritone Ralph McDonald and pianist Yang Tien will present a recital of songs by Haydn, Schumann, Bellini, Coward, Dankworth and Gershwin among others on 18 February 2011 at Sculpture Square. Details can be found on their Facebook page.


Meanwhile, OperaViva continues their series of talks and soirees on 12 February 2011, this time about the grownth of Western Opera in China. Find out about the history of how this art form has taken root what is now the world's second largest economy and who the big shots are. Details are also available via their Facebook page.


Lastly, new company Belleepoque presents their inaugural production A Night with Tosti and Friends, something that promises to be hilarious fun. Tickets can be found at the Arts House ticketing website.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

New Releases from Natalie Dessay and Joyce DiDonato

EMI Divas Natalie Dessay and Joyce DiDonato preview their new releases, the former of scenes from Handel's Giulio Cesare, and the latter of male and female roles for mezzo-soprano: