VETERAN BARITONES. The first week in September LSU baritone Donnie Ray Albert was back in Prague, singing the final two performances of the Four Villains in Tales of Hoffman. They seem to like him. At least the critics did not fuss about his accent. It was sung in Czech.
Another veteran baritone, James Johnson of LSU, sang with the San Francisco Symphony. Guest conductor was the esteemed Eschenbach, hope I spelled that correctly.
Michael Devlin, another LSU veteran bass baritone, coming off respected, critically acclaimed performances at the Met of the role of the Major Domo is reported to have told friends that he will sing more in 2011-12 at the Met. I checked all of the major casts at the Met for the coming season, did not find him. It is almost certain he has comprimario engagements, which are not listed in principal casts of the Met.
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BARITONE Scott Hendricks, also of LSU, sings the part of Scarpia, Monday evening at the Washington National Opera. It is a good opportunity for Scott. In Houston, Scott continues his March to the Met, engaged by Houston to sing Rodrigo in Verdi's great opera, Don Carlos.
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TENOR Paul Groves, will be back at LSU on Sept 25 to help his former teacher Bobby Grayson raise funds for scholarships in the Voice division of the LSU School of
Music. He will be assisted by rising star at the Met, Lisette Oropesa. Don't miss that.
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I Have mentioned previously Arthur Espiritu, a fine young tenor who graduated from UNO. Arthur is scheduled to sing the tenor lead in Verdi's seldom-performed opera Attilla tomorrow at the Washington Concert Opera.
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CLOSER to home, Thursday saw a well-received performance of Gounod's Faust presented by Opera Louisianne, Baton Rouge's fledgling young opera company.
Soprano Kat Drake sang the role of Margurite. She is still a young singer, but has gained much experience through LSU Opera, whose conductor Michael Borowitz also provided musical direction for Faust. Leeann Pettit Clement is executive director of Opera Louisianne. She has been around LSU Opera for a number of years, as a student. She earned stage direction stripes working for Dugg McDonnough, esteemed director of LSU Opera. By the way, should you have an opportunity to hear Leeann's fine mezzo soprano voice, you will not be disappointed.
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LISETTE Oropesa has among her 2011-12 engagements a Handel opera at the Met on New Year's EVe, running the first three weeks of January. She will make her house debut at the San Francisco Opera in another Handel opera, partnering the starry mezzo Susan Graham.
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ALEC Shrader (boy friend of LSU's Daniella Mack) got good notices this summer for his appearances at the Salzberg Opera Festival. And by the way, check out New Orleans Opera's production of Salome by Strauss. It is their third opera of the season, will be in the spring, and one of singers will be Gwen Jones. She will bring her mezzo soprano to the role of Herodias. She and Dugg McDonnough are a couple. It is a role with teeth in it. Looking forward to it. DAN
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