Master Class with Martin Katz 2011
July 09, 2011
* Program *
"Una furtiva lagrima" from L'elisir d'amore
Daniel Curran, tenor and Ana María Otamendi, piano
"Look, through the port" from Billy Budd
Mark Diamond, baritone and Clinton Smith, piano
"Nacqui all'affanno...Non più mesta" from Cenerentola
Laura Krumm, mezzo-soprano and Robert Mollicone, piano
"Rivolgete a lui lo squardo" from Così fan tutte
Suchan Kim, baritone and Timothy Cheung, piano
"Air du tambour major" from Le Caïd
Adam Lau, bass and Clinton Smith, piano
* Notes *
Martin Katz gave a master class for the Merola Opera Program on Thursday at Herbst Theatre. Katz is a collaborative pianist, so there was some focus on the accompanists. He had Ana María Otamendi take "Una furtiva lagrima" faster, slowed down Robert Mollicone in the Rossini, and asked Clinton Smith to not follow his singer's style. Again, the singing was all quite nice and pretty. Daniel Curran had some problems with intonation but has an expansive voice. Mark Diamond seemed an ideal Billy Budd, and his words came through clearly. Laura Krumm was told she was too polite and had to show off more. Suchan Kim has a rich, but perhaps unnuanced sound. Kim broke out some impressive dance moves, and even clicked his heels at one point. Katz had Adam Lau sing an Ambrose Thomas aria with more assertiveness and bluster, and with beautiful long lines.
* Tattling *
Katz gave a pre-class talk with Sheri Greenawald. We learned that as an accompanist, it is important to identify physically with the singers. When asked which piece he found most challenging to play, Katz responded with Schubert's "Der Erlkönig."