Master Class with Matthew Epstein 2011
July 01, 2011
* Program *
"Bella siccome un angelo" from Don Pasquale
"Mab, la reine des mensonges" from Roméo et Juliette
Jonathan Michie, baritone and Robert Mollicone, piano
"Va! Laisse couler mes larmes" from Werther
"Sein wir wieder gut" from Ariadne auf Naxos
Deborah Nansteel, mezzo-soprano and Timothy Cheung, piano
"Sibillar gli angui d 'Aletto" from Rinaldo
"Hai gia vinta la causa...Vedro mentr'io sospiro" from Le Nozze di Figaro
Philippe Sly, bass-baritone and Ana María Otamendi, piano
"No word from Tom" from The Rake's Progress
"Отчего это прежде не знала" from Iolanta
Elizabeth Zharoff, soprano and Clinton Smith, piano
* Notes *
Matthew Epstein gave a rather novel master class for the Merola Opera Program last night at Herbst Theatre. Epstein had the Merolini sit in the middle of the auditorium, and give comments on their colleagues. There was something slightly awkward about this format, as it is very difficult to give one's honest opinion in front of both the person being critiqued and an audience. Needless to say, there was a lot of hedging. Many comments started with "I love your voice, but" followed by a particular opinion. This event also was different from most master classes because the singers did not repeat their arias. Even still, it was certainly interesting to hear what the Merola participants had to say. All four voices we heard were pretty and pleasant, but Philippe Sly stood out, despite being ill. It was nice to hear the pianists on stage, rather than in the pit as with the General Director Auditions.
* Tattling *
There was rather a lot of talking in the audience, and at least two cellular phones rang.