tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89910027788269589552024-03-20T02:16:33.017-07:00Young Tenor in Italy - Joe's Summer as RodolfoJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-83591930175824255922013-07-30T06:37:00.002-07:002013-07-30T06:37:29.688-07:00A New BlogDedicated Readers,<br />
<br />
Thank you for keeping up with my latest adventures.<br />
<br />
I am writing to explain that due to the Italianate nature of this blog I have decided to create a new blog for general updated about my career and life. To check it out click the following link <a href="http://josephmichaelbrent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Joseph Michael Brent's Blog</a>. <br />
<br />
I will keep this <em>Joe Brent In Italy</em> blog and reserve it for the engagements that take place in Italy.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your support and interest. <br />
<br />
Graciously,<br />
JoeJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-59507745552789482522013-05-16T05:40:00.002-07:002013-05-16T05:40:26.744-07:00Our 1st Year AnniversaryDear Reader,<br />
<br />
Happy one year Anniversary.<br />
<br />
One year ago today I created this blog as an outlet for my experiences, a venue for those interested in hearing about my adventures, and a way of expressing my gratitude for all of your contributions.<br />
<br />
In his year I performed Rodolfo in <i>La Boheme</i> three times in Italy; one out door concert; I sang twice for italian television at the San Marino television station [Terrazzal Kursaal and Benefit concert for the Emilia-Romagna victims of the earthquakes in that region]; I sang for the San Francisco Giants; met the Sinatra Family; Sang a Halloween concert at the Fox Theatre; Sang both my first Hoffmann and my first Tamino; Sang and played my first Messiah; gave my final bass recital; made my debut as a director; saw 23 hours of opera at the Met in one week (Giulio Cesare, Rigoletto and the entire Ring Cycle). <br />
<br />
I am considering that it might be time to change the format and change the title, rather than start a new blog.<br />
<br />
As I mentioned earlier, this summer I am singing Hoffmann with the Martina Arroyo Prelude to Performance program and it would be nice to make updates for those interested in hearing about and reading about the latest updates.<br />
<br />
With this post I also celebrate the completion of my second year as a Doctor of Music student at the University of Georgia. In the semester I was accepted in to the Blue Key Honor Society, Awarded the Director's Excellence Award and became the official recipient of the Hoveland Opera Fellowship.<br />
This morning I will sing some selections for the Board of Visitor (a list of this group called the "Board of Visitors:"<br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368311398513_59378">
<a href="http://www.externalaffairs.uga.edu/bov/index.php/site/members" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368311398513_59377" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.externalaffairs.uga.edu/bov/index.php/site/members</a></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368311398513_59374">
Also, here is a description of their role in this annual visit to UGA (<a href="http://www.externalaffairs.uga.edu/bov/index.php/home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.externalaffairs.uga.edu/bov/index.php/home</a>). This is the first time they have focused on the arts).</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368311398513_59374">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368311398513_59374">
Thank you to everyone who continues to be a part of my life!!</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368311398513_59374">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368311398513_59374">
More soon,</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368311398513_59374">
Joe</div>
<br />
<br />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-64681799426743884832013-03-03T14:15:00.001-08:002013-03-03T14:15:41.096-08:00March 3rd UpdatesReaders and Viewers,<br />
<br />
January and February were challenging months. I performed my first Tamino in UGA's production of Mozart's Die Zaberfloete.<br />
<br />
I had the munificent opportunity to be directed by the brilliant and galvanizing Carroll Freemann.<br />
<br />
More on this experience soon.<br />
<br />
My primary reason for writing, beside to share the success of the Magic Flute run, is to share great news. I will be singing E.T.A. Hoffmann in Martina Arroyo's Prelude to Performance program this summer in New York City.<br />
<br />
This is great news and I could not have asked for it to come at a better time. 2013 is turning out to be a busy, but artistically beautiful and enriching year.<br />
<br />
My success is the result of the inspiration and hard work from all those who know me, teach me and help me. I share the success and owe it to them, my support system: the complex of faculty here at UGA and from my past; my family; my friends.<br />
<br />
Information to follow, let's celebrate!<br />
<br />
-<br />
JoeJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-17589511626047118932012-12-17T16:59:00.001-08:002012-12-17T16:59:41.511-08:00Sum up of the last few monthsReaders,<br />
<br />
For those of you who make the effort to stop by, thank you!<br />
<br />
My busy semester filled with: traveling, schenker graphs; concerts; opera lectures; auditions; and my first Les Contes d'Hoffmann comes to an end with my first Messiah (Handel).<br />
<br />
I sang the Tenor Solo for St. Gregory the Great episcopal church's Messiah on the 16th.<br />
I also played in the orchestra. A double duty evening indeed! The performance was well received and I would like to take the opportunity to thank Dallas Bono for the opportunity to make music with his group in every capacity I know how.<br />
<br />
Keep your fingers crossed for me and the out come of the audition process. I have now stepped into the beginning of a long journey in which I will audition constantly, and if I am like everyone else, find varied success.<br />
<br />
Cheers to 2012, a year of significant change and yet.. more of the same.<br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone bust especially my family, Frederick Burchinal, Kathryn Wright, Dr. Don Lowe and Dr. Jo Anne Lowe; Dr. Hoveland, my friends and Salina Sanchez.<br />
<br />
Happy Holidays to all!<br />
JoeJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-39909644556423544252012-10-28T07:31:00.000-07:002012-10-28T07:31:01.236-07:00A Taste of Hoffmann For those of you who were unable to see UGA's Tales Of Hoffmann here are some photos of the performance.<br />
<br />
I want to thank Victoria Fox (Nicklausse - Muse), Elisabeth Slaten (Antonia), Evelyn Shreves (Olympia), Kelsey Fredriksen (Giuletta), Richard Block (Dr. Miracle/Coppelius), Chris Voss (Dappertutto, Lindorf) for their great performances and collegial support. I would also like to thank Frederick Burchinal and Kathy Wright for their instruction, guidance and the inestimable experiences shared during the rehearsal period of this enormous opera. I would be remise if I did not thank Mark Cedel and the UGA symphony orchestra for nailing a challenging score and helping to make great music. Finally and certainly not least, thank you to the audience - the readers of the blog - friends and family who came to see the show, and those who were unable but sent your love and support.<br />
<br />
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<br />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-28910277026062714172012-10-11T13:06:00.000-07:002012-10-11T13:06:21.199-07:00Tales of HoffmannReaders,<br />
<br />
If there are those of you out there in cyberspace still reading:<br />
<br />
Tonight is the opening of UGA's Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The tales of Hoffmann) - E.T.A. Hoffmann, the German romantic poet, composer renaissance man.<br />
<br />
I will be playing the part of Hoffmann, and what an exciting few weeks it has been here at UGA.<br />
<br />
Please check out this link, which will bring you to an interview between Andre Gallant - of the Athens Banner Herald - and myself.<br />
<br />
http://onlineathens.com/performance-art/2012-10-10/offenbachs-hoffman-performed-uga-opera-theater<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
Joe<br />
<br />
(photos and more on Hoffmann to come!)Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-20381551218675526832012-09-05T00:22:00.001-07:002012-09-05T00:22:26.618-07:00In case your were still readingreaders,<br />
<br />
welcome back to my page.<br />
<br />
Since returning for my 2nd year as a DMA student at the University of Georgia I have been featured in the UGA Chronicles and in the Exploring the Arts Foundation news letter.<br />
<br />
We are preparing a Tales of Hoffmann (Offenbach) for October and I have several engagements lined up for this fall. I will be singing for the Alumni Association at the Atlanta Aquarium, at St. Gregory's church for a fundraiser, the Reynolds Plantation with the UGA opera theatre and finally on the 31st of October a Halloween concert at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.<br />
<br />
I wanted to use the blog, in the mean time to publish some interesting italian recipes (in translation) and continue to update about my performing career or maybe discuss operatic music.<br />
<br />
Hope you are all well,<br />
Joe<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-52906635840082943752012-08-15T11:31:00.001-07:002012-08-15T12:24:27.447-07:00And then Willie Mays walked in. . .Dearest Readers,<br />
<br />
I hope you are all well!<br />
I write to from Athens, Georgia!!!<br />
<br />
I have officially returned from my adventures abroad. I am back from New York and ready to start my second year as a DMA student at UGA. <br />
<br />
Forgive me for my reticence, things have been kind of crazy these last few week.<br />
You might notice the title of this post. . .<br />
<br />
And the story goes something like:<br />
<br />
I was reading my e-mail late Wednesday night and saw that my high-school choir teacher, Heidi Best, sent me both a facebook message and a post to my facebook wall. It was so late in the evening I figured I would contact her in the morning. I rose early that day to find an e-mail from Sylvia Weiner, PR for the Exploring the Arts foundation (<a href="http://www.exploringthearts.org/" target="_blank">Exploring the Arts Website</a>), the non-profit foundation responsible for my high-school education. I forwarded the e-mail to my parents, Salina and Prof. Burchinal; it reads as follows:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Joe</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I handle PR for</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1345054515_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Tony Bennett</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Susan Benedetto suggested I get in touch regarding an opportunity we have with the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1345054515_1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">SF Giants</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">baseball team on August 13. They want someone connected with ETA to sing Natl Anthem at the game and they will cover your travel. If you are interested let me know ASAP.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Best</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Sylvia Weiner</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Office of Tony Bennett</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span>
As you could imagine, this was indeed an offer that I couldn't refuse. Out of all the students who have graduated in the last 7 year they chose me! Frank Sinatra School of the Arts '05 grad to represent the school, the organization and the Giants. I agreed and was put in contact with Faham Zakiearia, director of Special Ticket Events with the San Francisco Giants baseball team.<br />
<br />
The experience couldn't have been more surreal! Faham's staff was accommodating and generous. The SF Giants flew me out Sunday and put me up for two nights at the <a href="http://www.serranohotel.com/" target="_blank">Serrano Hotel</a> in downtown San Francisco not 10 minutes from AT&T Park. The hotel staff welcomed me with open arms and complimentary wine! I met up with some friends who had, by a stroke of fate, just moved a week earlier to Oakland. Later Monday, after a brief tour of the area and a bite at China Boat, we made it to the ball park and the sound check (we made sure to arrive an hour early - just incase). I met all those involved, performed my sound-check and went out for my pre-performance ritual, steak.<br />
<br />
An hour later I was in my grey suit, black shit, white tie and Frank Sinatra fedora. 7:02 comes around and I find myself on the baseball green, 10 feet from home plate, singing to Monday night's 40,000 seat crowd. The Anthem goes on without a hitch - the crowd goes wild! We are escorted up to the Tony Bennett suite where I spent the next 7 inning with the Sinatra family and members representing his estate. With the free food, free drinks, the great company, Frank Sinatra bobble-head dolls, posters and a cheering crowd who thought it could get better<br />
<br />
then Willie Mays walked in...<br />
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Some Shots of the hotel:<br />
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<br />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-82179154929662345692012-07-23T09:22:00.001-07:002012-07-23T09:25:27.148-07:00HOME<div style="text-align: center;">
GREETINGS FROM NEW YORK, NEW YORK!</div>
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I arrived at JFK airport at 7:30 Sunday evening to a warm welcome from my brother Billy, his daughter Kyla, son Chasen, wife Jennie and my parents!<br />
Have five weeks really passed??<br />
The last you heard from me it was the morning of my Pesaro concert. <br />
4 days later let me tell you what an outrageously fantastic time was had that night!<br />
We arrived in Pesaro at the Conservatory of Music, Gioachino Rossini. It's a music school that has produced such names as Tebaldi, Del Monaco and Corelli.<br />
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While the La Musica Lirica team was waiting downstairs at the entrance to the school...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6omK2Wgesg_R5bwsl13LYUC5ZuMo0nO3A3EVzNhtMLsGHrau5_QKZLp7oXHuIjUZZ4vNxr_e7yg5Qo475rnnO9v_SZZrian5HlMxmcEpZ9QPILOae8aNhe3Ul7MqOl3LqtOs6aSDPKoL/s1600/P1070567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6omK2Wgesg_R5bwsl13LYUC5ZuMo0nO3A3EVzNhtMLsGHrau5_QKZLp7oXHuIjUZZ4vNxr_e7yg5Qo475rnnO9v_SZZrian5HlMxmcEpZ9QPILOae8aNhe3Ul7MqOl3LqtOs6aSDPKoL/s320/P1070567.JPG" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_QKeow3_HWqpFtbLR4d8MhdGKe5Gbb9YsvSxo-JcLcLTWwJN085sp_OUYWxf9YVsLqESVx8-rXdDRbA1yaJTZQ5vJB-dt99DhY_4n6TlaOdmzd00P3o0GZ5kyaRCOJA4BiL_TasjJTij/s1600/P1070563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_QKeow3_HWqpFtbLR4d8MhdGKe5Gbb9YsvSxo-JcLcLTWwJN085sp_OUYWxf9YVsLqESVx8-rXdDRbA1yaJTZQ5vJB-dt99DhY_4n6TlaOdmzd00P3o0GZ5kyaRCOJA4BiL_TasjJTij/s320/P1070563.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I ran upstairs to take a look at our venue:</div>
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Not too shabby if you ask me! </div>
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It was a glorious night in the Salone Pedrotti. This is what the Conservatory webstie has to say regarding the Salone Pedrotti:</div>
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"All'interno del Palazzo Olivieri è collocato l'Auditorium Pedrotti, elegante e
capiente sala da concerti costruita ed attivata nel 1892, dieci anni dopo
l'inizio dei corsi dell'Istituto. </div>
L'Auditorium Pedrotti, con pavimentazione
in legno, dotato di pianoforte gran coda Steinway e grande organo a canne a tre
tastiere, è caratterizzato da un'acustica eccellente"<br />
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<em>[At the interior of the Olivieri Palace is located the Pedrotti Auditorium, an elegante and capacious concert hall constructed and opened in 1892, ten years aftern the Institute began classes. The Pedrotti Auditorium, with wooden floors, furnished with a Steinway grand and a great 3 manual reed organ, is characteristc of acoustic excellence.]</em></div>
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Sadly, only one of my 3 Boheme performances was video recorded. Fortunately, the recording was at this very special venue. Aside from being the theatre for the Rossini Conservatory, The Salone Pedrotti is home to Pesaro's Rossini Opera Festival. The Rossini Opera Festival is a very important annual summer opera seriers which presents some of the best singers in the world. </div>
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It was a dream come true. At this point in my life, having performed Boheme in 2 different productions with 3 different casts in 5 different theatres/locations, I am proud and confident to say that this was the best venue by far. To sing Rodolfo in Italian, in Italy, for an Italian audience, in Rossini's home town, with an Italian orchestra, in a theatre designed exactly for that purpose is INCREDIBLE! The acoustics were amazing, the setting was perfect. Every element was in place for our cast, crew and orchestra to do their best and it was a successful night. </div>
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After the show Maestro Rescigno congratulated me, all of my friends and collegues expressed that they thought it was the best we had done. They were all so proud. If the excitement and support from my La Musica Lirica team wasn't enough for me to be myself I was stopped in the streets by several of the orchestra members who not only congratulated me but asked me if I would come back next year. They demanded that I return next year! What an honour! One of the orchestra members, Matteo, had tears in his eyes and told me that it was a pleasure to work together and I had done such a great job, that the performance made him very emotional. While on a high from those compliments I strutted down the street with my chest high and a smile wide from ear to ear. I couldn't go very far without being stopped by audience members strolling down the cobble stone streets of Pesaro screaming Bravo, Bravo BRAVI! </div>
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I even received a few "Bravo"s after my aria!!!!!!</div>
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Friday was a relaxing day. My friend Giulia, violinist from Milano, come to see the show and we spent the afternoon in Rimini.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr07U1npw0thLaMxBZs2n5KnLnT03umr-xFcZDx3aPV1FLCauEsA8EtUtODz8bFBoJQOWZqBPRXGiMaIsNe7rcN2MMF18iY5NjAZsIuCni0iC2uMXGY0dBdB8csNg75ivb_jTAVzgToQ4k/s1600/Rimini+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr07U1npw0thLaMxBZs2n5KnLnT03umr-xFcZDx3aPV1FLCauEsA8EtUtODz8bFBoJQOWZqBPRXGiMaIsNe7rcN2MMF18iY5NjAZsIuCni0iC2uMXGY0dBdB8csNg75ivb_jTAVzgToQ4k/s320/Rimini+Photo.jpg" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT_zLvl_TzYK_MdRcL_k7zV6Zlsd3tq1b2QwpsyBXnshUBBcupT7LPkaAJwDag4E7I0mWbNjqRY9ILDSgJriE8-2ENzu0UbX1gqwkKpbPrXKWTYx9DgDsVmXbSwXqqr6up_a8Rl3E4Ozk/s1600/Rimini+Photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT_zLvl_TzYK_MdRcL_k7zV6Zlsd3tq1b2QwpsyBXnshUBBcupT7LPkaAJwDag4E7I0mWbNjqRY9ILDSgJriE8-2ENzu0UbX1gqwkKpbPrXKWTYx9DgDsVmXbSwXqqr6up_a8Rl3E4Ozk/s320/Rimini+Photo+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We had out final meeting on Friday where I received my certificate of completion of the Italian Course. I scored the highest grade on the most advanced level (the highest level they offered) B1, 95 out of 100. I picked up some of the enormous posters:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNpTxjxNuC2lB7HGImEUUfcYVj0hRUcjDrZ_bsto1Yl55rag4U_YEA40Kpb02zo-UDrDn-q9iEY028NW2oCtTaH9lDW0t8XCi7jlJUfgqQVkmxi1OhiyoEuMXVKas7jFnSm49o_I2LvL8/s1600/LML+Boheme+poster+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNpTxjxNuC2lB7HGImEUUfcYVj0hRUcjDrZ_bsto1Yl55rag4U_YEA40Kpb02zo-UDrDn-q9iEY028NW2oCtTaH9lDW0t8XCi7jlJUfgqQVkmxi1OhiyoEuMXVKas7jFnSm49o_I2LvL8/s320/LML+Boheme+poster+1.jpg" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9ljAqAMpbNrIN-n8bMTotV3fwHge3l0OKx8miVXv_nRAPfnQqX9ihDMkHClZfyHW7I9mQ_ZSUE3zgUFCRe2QJ0K-yxRevy_UgY8J7nLO-3RM2YaIsBa9rvONt_pG7rFBSQWsufPY7a2Y/s1600/LML+Boheme+poster+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9ljAqAMpbNrIN-n8bMTotV3fwHge3l0OKx8miVXv_nRAPfnQqX9ihDMkHClZfyHW7I9mQ_ZSUE3zgUFCRe2QJ0K-yxRevy_UgY8J7nLO-3RM2YaIsBa9rvONt_pG7rFBSQWsufPY7a2Y/s320/LML+Boheme+poster+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We left at sunrise Saturday morning for Rome. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW4S5HSLYCga7mm9V9prP-7jJranl3sLzlLMYXznSyFYa-Timp4qrdbhe7LLxd-ZTHYAd8S4BOcn0uNdZwWtskgl2n7VoewyybHu5Tct5Ch3orYEADHeDJsHTws6HJx0TBb-kgg9di2SU/s1600/Rome+Photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW4S5HSLYCga7mm9V9prP-7jJranl3sLzlLMYXznSyFYa-Timp4qrdbhe7LLxd-ZTHYAd8S4BOcn0uNdZwWtskgl2n7VoewyybHu5Tct5Ch3orYEADHeDJsHTws6HJx0TBb-kgg9di2SU/s320/Rome+Photo+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A phot of Maestro Joeffry Price and me in Rome, Italy</td></tr>
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And good bye Italy! </div>
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And so the adventure of a life time has come to an end. These amazing experiences, people and places are a part of my life because of you all who helped me emotionally and financially. I hope that these updates brought you some insight into the opera world and my world.</div>
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I plan to update with some more recollections and photos from the different concerts as they become available. In the meantime, thank you again and please keep your comments comming!!!</div>
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With gratidude,</div>
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Joe Brent</div>
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<img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MCiJ8amUjji66oQR7zrgz35l6yRaHprJbGIKw6-1VkqLsdfCY1DWzI23uOY_vho2lT8_l1QCi3iLtDQpRv-Lqfdfe-TM3ovxcsrsxwOJ7j0oV5TszyNEkIc_94egyydRI0xHJCdGgRc9/s320/Rimini+Photo+4.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 391px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 2834px;" width="96" />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-51478669783756797122012-07-19T00:43:00.002-07:002012-07-19T00:43:28.307-07:00Io speriamo che me la caviBuongiorno a tutti,<br />
<br />
It is a luminous and warm Thursday morning here on the 19th of July, in the Valmarecchia's Novafeltria, Italy.<br />
<br />
Tonight, in Pesaro - at the Rossini conservatory - will be the final operatic performance of La Musica Lirica's 2012 season. The Red Cast, seen in the photos from San Marino in the previous post - which includes me - will round out the 5th week immersion with one last Boheme. We will perform the opera at the Conservatorio Statale di Musica G. Rossini in the Salone Pedrotti (constructed in 1892).<br />
<br />
Wish me luck. It has been a thoroughly enriching program. Tomorrow morning we will have our farewell meeting, "graduation" from the 4 week italian course and goodbyes.<br />
<br />
Last night the Green cast performed their last Boheme for the program in Alfonsine. If I did not express it earlier, the nights that I was not singing Rodolfo I was the silent waiter for the Bohemian's table at Cafe Momus. Needless to say BUT everyone enjoyed the nights I was fainting and swooning over Musetta. I'll see if there is any chance someone snapped some photos of those other evenings. Last night was fun because it was my last night as a waiter. Eating the food from the Bohemian's table, giving them their bill, flirting with Musetta. . . an aspect of the show I am glad that I was able to live.<br />
<br />
I am off to grab a coffee, some breakfast and enjoy a masterclass as I relax and prepare my body for a very important Rodolfo!<br />
<br />
The time seems to have flown and yet. . .<br />
<br />
with gratitude and love,<br />
JoeJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-18459300501684193462012-07-17T08:37:00.002-07:002012-07-17T08:37:18.897-07:00Davanti l'ufficio postaleWarm greetings from Novafeltria,<br />
<br />
At last, after 4 weeks of searching, I have found the hotspot! Courtesy of Manuel Castillo I am writing to you from the Tentazione Pizzera run by Fernando, sitting a few steps away from the Ufficio Postale. The signal is strong and we have the night off... I will try to fill you all in as best as possible by recounting my last few weeks.<br />
<br />
The recap:<br />
<br />
My first performance as a member of the La Musica Lirica team was 27th of June in San Marino for their television station. I uploaded the video in an earlier post but for those of you who haven't seen it: San Marino Terrazza Kursaal <span class="" id="lw_1342537005_3"></span><a href="http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/tk/default.asp?id=1324&id_n=74698" target="_blank">3rd Act Quartet Boheme - San Marino TV (Terrazza Kursaal)</a><br />
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From left to right you should see Michael Roemer (Marcello), Yunnie Park (Mimi), Rose Mannino (Musetta) and Me.<br />
<br />
La Musica Lirica broke us down into 4 casts: Red cast (the singers mentioned above), Green cast (Manuel Castillo - Rodolfo, Kristen Marchiafava - Mimi), Blue cast (Dalton Flake - Rodolfo, Erin McComber - Mimi), Orange (ME + Blue cast). The Red cast sang in San Marino and will sing thus Thursday in Pesaro. The Orange cast sang in Cesena last Thursday.<br />
<br />
Yunnie and I, last Saturday, as I've mentioned previously, performed in San Marino again. Follow this link <a href="http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/produzioni/?id=380&cat=33&idvideo=15719" target="_blank">Cara Emili: Joe sings for earthquake victims (scan to 2 hrs 36 min)</a> and scan the video to 2 hrs and 36 min. You'll see and hear me sing <i>La mia letizia infondere</i> from I Lombardi and the off stage interjections in <i>Sempre Libera</i> from La Traviata. What a terrifying night that was!! Ubaldo Fabbri (the head of the Voci nel Montefeltro festival and the italian portion of La Musica Lirica) asked me Wednesday afternoon if I knew any Verdi. Of course after my summer last year, with Prof. Burchinal and the opera students at UGA, at the Greek Opera Studio/Festival of the Aegean (<a href="http://www.greekoperastudio.com/video.htm" target="_blank">For a limited time the 2011 video are still up</a>) I covered Alfredo, sang Gastone and performed a few excerpts from the Traviata. So I explained to Ubaldo that I could sing Alfredo. He insisted that I learn the Lombardi cavatina, and I reminded him that I was singing Rodolfo Wednesday night AND Thursday night... Maestro Fabbri insisted. I spent all day Friday trying to memorize the text and melody. Saturday arrived and we drove to San Marino, arrived at 5 - performed a sound check and tried to put up a poster of the music but to no success! As you can see in video it was an enormous studio. We put my music in a Voci nel Montefeltro folder and the rest was recorded history. Though we had to wait from 5:00 - 11:30 to sing. With just of 24 hours of preparation I think it was a success... for a live broadcast, all over italy and the world... I just wish I could have sang something that I already knew!!<br />
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I've been monopolizing Manuel's comupter for too long.<br />
<br />
More soon, ENJOY!<br />Joe<br />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-76136544940534934132012-07-17T03:35:00.000-07:002012-07-17T03:35:56.854-07:00Cari AmiciCari Amici,<br />
<br />
Vi ringrazio!! Grazie per leggendo, anche per il vostro pazienza.<br />Thank you all! Thank you for reading and also for your patience.<br />
<br />
I have been judicious in my posts lately due primarily to the speed and effeciency of the technology in Novafeltria and secondarily to my schedule. I have also had reservations about updates because I have been taking so many photos and want so badly to include them into the posts along with the recolections.<br />
<br />
I apologize for my reticence and beseech you for continued patience.<br />
<br />
Italian classes have concluded, I have my final voice lesson today at 2 and my last Boheme on Thursday. I am tying up loose ends, preparing my things and cleaning my apartment.<br />
<br />
Meastro Price and I are planning to have lunch at a fantastic resturante, Saffi.<br />
<br />
I have found the link to Saturday night's benefit concert in San Marino. I will double check the link and post it by the end of the day (your mid day). I sing at 2 hours and 35 min into the show, I am followed by Yunnie Park - a South Korean soprano who is one of my Mimis.<br />
<br />
Thought of the day:<br />
Raddoppiamento Sintattico and "n" assimilations, what a beautiful aspect of spoken language:<br />
http://www.locuta.com/edoubling.html<br />
<br />
with gratitude and warmth,<br />
Joe<br />
<br />
More very soon!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-72441994070602503422012-07-15T03:05:00.003-07:002012-07-15T03:08:45.282-07:00The Morning AfterGreetings,<br />
<br />
Here is some information regarding last night's engagement.<br />
<br />
Cara Emilia, ce la possiamo fare: diretta su San Marino Tv e in streaming Rai.tv<br />
(<em>Dear Emilia), there we can do it: live from San Marino TV and streaming on Rai.tv</em>)<br />
<br />
Il <strong>14 luglio alle 20.45</strong>, <strong>SMtv</strong>, in collaborazione con <strong>Eutelsat</strong>, <strong>Rai News</strong>, <strong>Rai Net </strong> dedicano alle popolazioni colpite dal terremoto una diretta di 150 minuti, condotta da <strong>Carmen Lasorella.</strong><br />
<strong>(<em>14 of July at 8:45, San Marino tv, </em></strong><em>in collaboration with Eutelsat, Rai New, Rai Net dedicated to the people hit by the earthquake a 150 min live broadcast, hosted by Carmen Lasorella</em><strong>)</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-b48eeea0-5f08-4abf-906b-bc03dfd70710.html#p">http://www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-b48eeea0-5f08-4abf-906b-bc03dfd70710.html#p</a>=<br />
<br />
I am trying to find information in English for you all.<br />
The event seemed to be a success... <br />
<br />
It was a benefit evening for victims of the earth quakes in the Emilia region.<br />
We didn't sing until 11:15 lastnight, six hours is a long time to wait for one aria and the interjections during Sempre Libera - but what a great opportunity!!!<br />
<br />
Things are winding down here in Novafeltria at La Musica Lirica. I have one more Boheme and I will be on my way home a week from today. <br />
<br />
When I get more information and a chance to post photos I'll give you all the dirty details, but as for now: enjoy your Sunday, eat some lasagne and wish me luck for the remainder of the program.<br />
<br />
Stammi Bene!!!<br />
JoeJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-38960045246323625642012-07-14T07:47:00.002-07:002012-07-14T07:47:09.464-07:00Sto per andareGoing to San Marino to sing tonight...<br />
<br />
Wish me luckJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-76072304856074770632012-07-13T03:37:00.001-07:002012-07-13T03:37:19.713-07:00L'ultimo giorno delle lezionibenevenuti & saluti,<br />
<br />
Readers, I am writing from the computer in the school. I just finished the italian exam. I had to complete reading, writing, listening and oral sections. It went very well; Rosaria - my italian teacher - was very complimentary and supportive... in fact, she just found me and I scored 95/100!!!!!!! IL MIGLIORE!<br />
<br />
I was the only student taking the exam today, a special exception was made for me because I sang my first 2 Rodolfos back to back Wednesday in San Marino and Thursday in Cesena. What fantastic experiences!!! I sang with 2 different casts, they both did a great job - a huge BRAVI to all of the singers. Bravo to my Marcelli Michael and Alejandro, my Schaunard Nelson and Arthur, my Collini Matt and Dylan. Brava to my Mimi Yuni and Erin, my Musette Marina and Rose. Bravi tutti to the chorus, stage crew, costume crew and last but not least Maestro Rescigno. I received such beautiful compliments from so many people: from italians, from faculty, from students.<br />
<br />
As for the venues, WOW! I am in the proccess of loading all of the photos of these 2 shows, they will be up as soon as possible. Your patience is appreciated.<br />
<br />
Last piece of news to share is that Maestro Fabbri has invited me to sing for a world wide broadcast Saturday afternoon. I do not know all of the details but what I do know is this: it is a tribute or fundraiser for victims of the recent earthquakes in the Emiglia-Romagna region. The only reservation I have is that Maestro asked me to learn a new aria La Mia Letizia Infondere... from I Lombardi by Verdi. Between back to back Boheme and my Italian exam, I hope I can get it together. I am taking it easy today, but much study has to be done.<br />
<br />
Wish me luck, send your love.<br />
My time here is "sta per finire" about to end. It has been a brilliant 4 weeks on the brink of week 5.<br />
<br />
Will write soon!<br />
Joe<br />
<br />
<br />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-47498305029758845282012-07-08T09:15:00.000-07:002012-07-08T09:15:47.236-07:00Ciao a tutti,<br />
<br />
Greetings from the beginning of week 4. <br />
<br />
I am writing you all from the Hotel Magda (chi bel sogno... ) where several of the corsisti have been staying. Apparently their lasagna is great!!! <br />
<br />
We had our final dress rehearsal for Boheme today. We will open Monday, for those in Italy you can see me as Rodolfo in San Marino on the 11th, Cesena on the 12th and Pesaro on the 19th. <br />
<br />
Below is a photo from the <em>prova </em>[rehearsal]<br />
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More soon!! All is well!! </div>
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I bought 1984 in Italian, let's see how well that goes!! Wish me luck.</div>
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Stammi bene!!!</div>
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With gratitude and love</div>
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Thank you</div>
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Joe</div>
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<br />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-27812674548130521112012-07-02T23:35:00.004-07:002012-07-02T23:35:57.582-07:005 minutes before classBuongiorno a tutti,<br />
<br />
Writing to you from the beginning of week 3!<br />
<br />
I arrived at school in anticipation of my class and thought that if I could use one of the faculty's computers I could send all of you a quick update.<br />
<br />
First, please check out the photos page that I have added to the links section immediately to the right of this post. I have added, at this point, all of the photos that I have taken over the last 2 weeks. It has been a challenge trying to format these photos, please have patience with my fixing them. Eventually I will incorporate them into these posts, but I am handicapped by lack of time and capable computers\internet access. <br />
<br />
Second, tonight is the zitsprobe for Boheme!!! We will be performing with an orchestra from Ravenna. For those of you in Italy, I am guaranteed performances in San Marino and Pesaro (see previous post for dates), and I will be covering some of the other performances. . . the show goes up on the 9th, at that point it will be riding the wave and going with the flow.<br />
<br />
I do not know if I reccounted to you all but I had to stand in Saturday night during the Faculty Gala Concert here in Novafeltria. I performend the 3rd act quartet again in an open air concert in the heart of downtown Novafeltria in front of their church. It was a beautiful evening with great singers and an excited italian audience.<br />
<br />
I am working right now on the Liszt Petrach Sonnets, Rondine Al Nido, Lunge da Lei... Dei Miei Bollenti and Boheme. I am going to try to get in some Mozart and more Verdi while I am here!!<br />
<br />
I am now a few minutes late to class!! Yikes!!<br />
<br />
Ci sentiamo a presto!!!<br />
JoeJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-81983008412068217062012-06-29T15:05:00.000-07:002012-06-29T15:05:00.678-07:00Italian Post 3Greetings Readers,<br />
<br />
I am writing to you on the eave of the anniversary of my 2nd week here in Novafeltria. I am writing through the generosity of a brilliant and beautiful young soprano from Canada si chiama Terri-Lynn Mitchell, who is letting me use both her internet and computer - both of which are hard to come by these days.<br />
<br />
Very cool news, Wednesday of last week 3 of the students, 2 teachers and I were featured on San Marino TV, follow the link:<a href="http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/tk/default.asp?id=1324&id_n=74698" target="_blank">3rd Act Quartet of Boheme on San Marino TV</a> We sang the 3rd act quartet from Boheme which was followed by an interview with the 2 hosts of Terrazza Kursaal. I am the last to speak, please enjoy.<br />
<br />
The program has been a blast.<br />
<br />
Besides daily rehearsals for Boheme, which - besides Italian class - take up most of my time during the week, I have been taking voice lessons with John Dehaan from Minnesota, I had a lesson with Dr. Robert Breault and Geoffry Price and several coachings with Ubaldo Fabbri (who you will see on the video). The information and perspectives are fun and supportive - everyone is very encouraging. Mr. Price was so sweet, he came up to me after the lesson and asked if he could play the Petrarch Sonnets by Liszt with me. He continued to explain that he really enjoyed making music with me, and among the talented students in this group he would really like to collaborate with me. WOW!<br />
<br />
The food, of course the food is amazing!!!<br />Grocery shopping and being around town has been so touching and heartwarming, the towns people really take well to us. They love that I speak Italian and sometimes go a little to fast for me - but the woman at the register gave me a great Spaghetti alle Vongole ;-)<br />
<br />
The only reservation I have on this trip are the SCORPIONI!! I have had to kill 5 scorpions in 2 weeks... more on that later.<br />
<br />
Last Sunday Addie Hamilton and I hiked up to the top of Maioletto, the mountain seen in the photos below. It took us 2 hours on foot, though we did get side tracked. A sweet and friendly Italian man named Paolo - who I had seen at the Cento Catini festival - offered us a ride to the correct path... it was so portentous that I was compelled to recite the first line from Dante's first Canto from La Divina Commedia:<br />
Nel Mezzo del cammin di nostra vita<br />
mi ritrovai per una selva oscura<br />
che' la diritta via era smarrita.<br />
<br />
I have been using Terri-Lynn's computer for a while now - I should go.<br />
<br />
More soon!<br />
Boheme goes up next week :-)!!! Time in flying!!<br />
<br />
Take care!!!<br />
Thank you<br />
Joe<br />
<br />
Some Photos for your enjoyment to come...<br />
<br />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-28541474447679784322012-06-23T15:50:00.000-07:002012-06-29T14:11:15.436-07:00Post 2 from ItalyGreeting Readers,<br />
<br />
My first week anniversary as Rodolfo in Novafeltria, Italy has come and gone. It has been an absolutely wonderful adventure thus far.<br />
<br />
Tonight was the celebration of Cento Catini - a city wide festival in which the town celebrates pagan traditions dating back to the druids. It felt like an Italian Halloween: witches, candles burning, hay bales. They set fire to their ancient fountain and a live band played Celtic music... or what seemed to be Celtic music... They reenacted scenes of the cento catini tradition: virgins setting flowers afloat in the blazing fountain, a ballet and a religious procession. [pictures to come] It is a solstice celebration as well as the night of San Giovanni<br />
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Since this is my first true update I'll try to give you as many details as possible, but be prepared: you have many! MANY photos coming your way.<br />
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The flight to Frankfurt from JFK was smooth, the Germans were very particular. We left 30 min late, arrived 30 behind schedule. I have never received more sorrowful apologies from a flight crew in my life - I made my connection with no problem. The Frankfurt air port inspired me to set my sights on Germany. The people, the efficiency, the SAUSAGE AND BEER:<br />
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They have these awesome venders in front of each gate:<br />
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Pretzels, beer, sausages and happy German employees!<br />
Lufthansa really did a great job, their complimentary coffee and news papers were so welcoming. If you have flown recently and have been charged through the roof for food, drinks, pillows, luggage or anything else - I think you'll understand what exactly I mean when I say the coffee was refreshing!<br />
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I arrived to a crowd of exhausted and sedate La Musica Lirica participants, i corsisti as I like to refer to them. Many had arrived hours earlier ( I arrived shortly after 9:30 am Sat morning) and we waited until about half past three to head out on our 4 hour pullman (bus) ride to Novafeltria - WHERE We were greeted with a delicious aperativo!!<br />
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I plan to set up a link to the photos of this first week (and the following weeks) so that you see all the photos that are not accompanied by these brief interjections. Pounds and pounds of pizzas and pastas, drinks and then the mayor, the head of the music department Ubaldo Fabbri - the translator and our fearless leader Brigida officially greeted i corsisti.<br />
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Now lets get to the good stuff... my awesome 3 floor house, the view and the opera theatre.<br />
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I am living with a Canadian Baritone Mike singing Bartolo - James a tenor at Drake University - and Jack a baritone studying in Wisconsin from Atlanta. There are a tone for students and wonderful faculty - I am having a great time!!<br />
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Here are some more photos:<br />
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And with that photo - I am off to bed. We are planning to hike that mountain tomorrow :-)!!!<br />
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More photos and more updates soon, the internet is becoming slowly more available - and I am making lots of friends!!!!!<br />
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With love and happiness - gratitude and smiles<br />
JOEJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-43951627302701759882012-06-19T04:32:00.000-07:002012-06-29T14:13:39.625-07:00first from italyHello readers,<br />
<br />
<br />
greetings from Italy.<br />
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I am sorry for the delay, I arrived safely on Saturday.<br />
There is much to tell all of you and I have taken many photos to share...<br />
<br />
Internet is hard to come by in Novafeltria, I am currently borrowing Dario's computer.<br />
<br />
This a beautiful little town, the program so far is very exciting...<br />
<br />
more details soon<br />
<br />
horraaaayyy for Boheme and Italian classes, Maestro Rescigno and Maestro Fabbri!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
will write soon<br />
<br />
joe<br />
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(my apologies for the spelling errors, Italian keyboards are very different)</div>Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-7879275394268460562012-06-12T08:57:00.001-07:002012-06-12T08:57:33.035-07:00Three Day RemainingReaders,<br />
<br />
I apologize for my reticence, though. . . as of yet there is not much more than the count down to share with you all. <br />
<br />
I left Athens on the 3rd, I flew into New York and was immediately submergered in that unique sensation one gets when they feel home. It is difficulty to explain - others tell me how overwhelming the flow of traffic feels and how arresting is the volume of things to do - people - buildings. . . and the list goes on. As I explained in an earlier post, these things bring me inexplicable comfort. <br />
<br />
I was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Queens. I lived there in Queens, where my family still abides, until I left for college. I returned home and either took the train or drove to the city several times a year - I still had the best of friends living in the city. The commute was only 45 min from Purchase College in westchester NY - my Alma Mahler [<span style="font-size: xx-small;">music joke</span>] - I never felt removed or distant from my youth.<br />
<br />
In 2009 I left it all. <br />
<br />
I started the masters program at UGA, 900 miles away from my sweet and dedicated girlfriend - my family - my friends - my home. The rest is more or less history. In fact what took place over the next 3 years were the necessary steps to putting me here - right here at the foot hills of a music career. Turbulent and tumultuous, far from home I found a community of friends and music lovers, instructors and musical institutions who believe in what I am capable of. I fell into a nest, rich in opportunity and of teeming support. <br />
<br />
It is three days and counting before I am off - Lufthansa to Frankfurt to Rome and Rome by bus to Novafeltria where I'll be living for the next 5 weeks. <br />
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Great news to share - Salina (the dedicated and loving girlfriend that I mentioned) has gifted me a digital camera!!! So you are guaranteed several hundred photos to make you feel like you're right there with me!<br />
<br />
- Since this is my blog and it is still several days before I leave the following is a little explosion of memories and thoughts, of no particular or far reaching impact or interest:<br />
<br />
The gift of a digital camera is one that is important to me. Though the ultimate worth of this reflection has <em>no far reaching impact</em>, it does have extraodinary meaning to me. My father is a photographer <a href="http://www.bbrent.com/stuff.htm" target="_blank">My Father, William Brent</a> not only did he teach me many things about that art, he encouraged me to pursue it. I spent 2 semesters with my father's Pentax Honeywell 35 mm working as an intern with the International Center for Photography in mid-town New York. I was in the dark room learning to develop film and the techniques/tricks like burning and dodging. I was excited to find out after 9 months as an intern several of my photos were shown in a gallery downtown Manhattan. This was, as I am sure you can tell, a rich and beautiful experience. Several months after my internship ended my parents gifted me a digital camera - after all film is expensive, cameras are delicate and I had already been educated in the art. I mistakenly left this camera at school after a performance - in a locked room, 8 years ago. It is among some of the most regretable misplacements of generous gifts I have ever lost... my baseball mitt... the komboloi cole gave me... my catchers helmut and mask... thist goes on, and maybe someday I'll find them. I never found the camera, noone ever returned it... 8 years laters Salina offers me this Lumix 14 megapixel digital camera - I am over joyed!<br />
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Until next time readers, <br />
Thank you<br />
JoeJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-90330004048549443162012-06-08T13:26:00.003-07:002012-06-08T13:26:59.356-07:00CommentingReaders,<br />
<br />
I am officially home in New York; how remarkeably comforting it is to be home. New York City, its citzens and vistors, buildings and sky bring me so much comfort.<br />
<br />
I leave for Rome on the 14th!<br />
<br />
It has come to my attention that commenting on these posts has proven to be a challange... I have adjusted the setting - please leave a comment to let me know that all is well!<br />
<br />
More soon!<br />
<br />
as they say:<br />
<br />
Stammi bene!<br />
<br />
-<br />
JoeJoseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-37709343300683692202012-05-30T20:58:00.001-07:002012-05-30T20:58:49.090-07:0016 days and counting<br />
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Dear Readers,</div>
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Thank you to Jeff, Mr. Moore, Will, Dr. Starkweather, Greg, Prof. B, The Lowes, Ms. Wong and everyone else involved. What an exciting and didactic experience Tuesday's WUGATV taping was!!</div>
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The WUGATV recording ran smoothly yesterday and I've spent the last several hours listening to the audio track. I have ambivalent feelings about critiquing 70 min of my singing, it is an arduous and unenviable task. I wish I had sung each piece 100 times and could choose a take with no errors, oozing art, teeming musicality. On the other hand, the smiles and support from those involved really made this recording session worthwhile. Not every student is offered the opportunity to be filmed for the TV station and I learned very important lessons:</div>
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In a setting like the one on Tuesday:</div>
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Stop when you make a mistake or error - it's ok.</div>
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Do several takes, everyone is there for you to do your best - it's ok.</div>
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Don't second guess yourself during your music - get through every song it might be the best take.</div>
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Don't be afraid to take a 5 - 10 min break.</div>
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Bring a bottle of water/food with you.</div>
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Be comfortable, there really is no pressure at this point.</div>
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I've made a list of the best takes and sent my opinions off to compare with those of Prof. Burcinal and Greg Hankins. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that all is well and they can start editing the clips - the plan is for the show to be ready to air by the end of the summer... more on that when I am actually told a date. </div>
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Otherwise:</div>
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I am leaving Athens for home (NYC) on Sunday. Then leaving home to Rome (italy) on the 15th. </div>
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In addition to Rodolfo, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I have made a binder filled with the following music to sing in italy:</span></div>
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Dalla Sua Pace/il Mio tesoro</div>
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Com'é gentil</div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_219_1338068276765584" style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
Quanto e bella/Una Furtiva</div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_219_1338068276765586" style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
É la solita storia</div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_219_1338068276765588" style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
De Miei Bollenti</div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_219_1338068276765590" style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
Che Gelida</div>
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I also plan to bring:</div>
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Liszt Petrarch Sonnets</div>
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Ideale</div>
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Core 'ngrato</div>
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Is there anything Italian that you think I should work on or would like to hear me sing?</div>
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Ach so fromm (M'appari tutt'amor) ?</div>
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Spirito Gentile</div>
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Ecco Ridente?</div>
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Michaelangelo Sonnets B. Britten?</div>
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Until next time,</div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_219_1338068276765612" style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
Joe</div>
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It is very strange to write about myself... the narcissism and self-regard make me a little uncomfortable, your thoughts? Anything that you're interested to know or to read about... maybe I'll post something more neutral next... </div>
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<br /></div>Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-8059987659209758532012-05-28T08:33:00.000-07:002012-05-28T08:56:36.514-07:00If you were curiousGreetings readers,<br />
I have just been given the important dates for La Musica Lirica's productions.There will be 2 other operas being performed while I am there: Coronation of Poppea (Monteverdi) and Barber of Seville (Rossini). We are scheduled to give several if not weekly concerts/recitals.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you were/are curious, below are the dates - some, if not all, are subject to change:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Rehearsals:</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">-La Boheme, orchestra rehearsals (July 2,5, 7-Generale)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">-Barbiere, orchestra rehearsals (July 3,4,6-Generale)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">-Poppea,General rehearsal (July 3)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Concerts:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">St. Pietro Cathedral (June 28)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">LA BOHEME: July 9 (San Marino), 12 (Cesena), 15 (Novafeltria), 18 (Alfonzine), 19 (Pesaro).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">There will be one more performance of La Boheme.</span></div>
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POPPEA: July 3 (Rimini), 7 (Novafeltria), 9 (Novafeltria), 11 (Montegridolfo).</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">BARBIERE: July 8 (Novafeltria), 10 (Fusignano), 14 (Novafeltria), 17 (Cesena).</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Studio Concerts (June 22, June 26, July 6)</span></span></span></div>
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Artist Concerts ( June 21, June 27, July 4)</div>
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Scene di Opera Concerts (July 13, and July 16)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I do not know which of the 6 Boheme dates I will be singing, hopefully several!!!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to performing a typical day with La Musica Lirica will be</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Italian classes: 8:30-12:30 M-F.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Coachings and lessons: throughout the day, starting 12:30, M-F</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Opera Rehearsals: Six days a week and, once shows go up, seven
days a week.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Week days: start 2:45 and go until 10:00
pm with one hour break for dinner around 6:30 or 7:00; Saturdays 10:00 am to 1:00
pm; 2:00 to 6:00 pm.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Looks like am going to be pretty busy... what a dream come true :-)!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">More to come, thanks for reading</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">- Joe</span></div>
</div>Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991002778826958955.post-88718457499773145772012-05-26T09:59:00.003-07:002012-05-26T10:05:07.978-07:00What Are Your Thoughts?Readers,<br />
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In preparation for my summer engagement I have been tirelessly translating Peanuts Cartoons, the often surreal fruit of Charles Schultz' imagination, and observing hours of Boheme recording/videos. It may seem obsessive, but I have been reviewing the Illica/Giacosa text [the librettists of Puccini's La Boheme] to uncover which words are further from my vocabulary than others. For example: in the first act when Schaunard makes his portentous entrance launching coins throughout the squalid turret, he asks "This man, who is he?" and Rodolfo responds "Luigi Filippo m'inchino* al mio Re." In review I realized that though I have translated and memorized the text [<i>Louis Philip (</i>Monarch of France<i>), I prostrate myself to my King</i>], I never use the verb <i>inchinarsi </i>when speaking Italian. <i>Inchinarsi </i>- to prostrate oneself, to bow. So, I have decided to write sentences and tables trying to incorporate the words that are not yet fluent to my italian memory.<br />
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Additionally I have been writing out tables of conversions of Weight, Volume, Temperature, Distance and Speed in order to acclimate myself to the European systems.<br />
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I have been to Europe. Last year I was in both Italy and Greece for the entire summer, first as a teaching assistant for Dr. Masciadri (double bass teacher at UGA) and performer with the Festival of the Aegean/Greek Opera Studio <a href="http://www.greekoperastudio.com/video.htm" target="_blank">Greek Opera Studio Gala Videos 2011</a><br />
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I have a premonition though, that this experience will be somehow more vocational than my previous trips. I will have an apartment with a kitchen, I will be in a town where I have no friends - though I plan to make many - and entirely enveloped by my studies and the culture.<br />
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With all of this in mind, what type of advice or memories do you have from your own experiences abroad? Have any of you been to Italy? Are you fluent in English and another language?<br />
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Mi consigliate su qualcosa, per favore!<br />
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-<br />
Joe<br />
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*notice <i>m'inchino </i>is not <i>minchione </i>- the topic for another post ;-)<br />
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<br />Joseph Michael Brenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04476071129048463850noreply@blogger.com1