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NOVEMBER 9, 2009
Early, Merciful Visit To St. Nicholas
by Vance R. Koven
Boston Musical Intelligencer
"Great credit is also due to Valerie Becker and her Treble Chorus of New England, who well negotiated Britten’s sometimes tricky rhythms and idiosyncratic melismas. Young soloists Nathan Goldthwaite, as the young Nicholas, and Graham Cook,, Francesca Lionetta and Alexander Mezdorian as the resurrected boys, were perfectly on top of their parts, and winsome as all get-out. Matthew Anderson had a clear, pure tone and impeccable diction, and a commanding dramatic presence as Nicholas. The orchestral forces, all top-flight Boston freelancers, were also in fine voice and responsive to the music and Karidoyanes’s lead."
Vance Koven studied music at Queens College and New England Conservatory and law at Harvard. A composer and practicing attorney, he was for many years the chairman of Dinosaur Annex Music Ensemble.
From the Haverhill Gazette
Published: March 04, 2009 12:53 pm
Haverhill students to perform in opera
By Cara Spilsbury
cspilsbury@haverhillgazette.com
Middle- and high-school aged students have found all sorts of ways to entertain themselves on Friday nights. Daniel Smith, 16, and Amanda Roy, 11, both of Haverhill, will be doing what they love this weekend with a group of young people who share their passion. They'll be singing in an opera.
The two are featured performers in the Treble Chorus of New England's opera production, "The Enchantress," hitting the stage on Friday, March 6, at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College.
The opera, by Victor Herbert, is based on the European style of royal courtship. It is a story about Prince Ivan from the fictional land of Zergovia. Ivan falls in love with an American heiress and must make the decision to marry for love and abdicate the throne or marry a true princess, which would let him maintain his royalty. The story thickens with a plot to overthrow the prince, a plot to save the prince, and an enchantress.
Daniel, who is home-schooled and has performed with the Treble Chorus for years, plays a secret service agent who is wary of the American and in disguise for most of the show. Amanda, a Whittier Middle School student in her third year with the Treble Chorus, plays one of the princesses.
As if hitting all the right notes wasn't hard enough, the need to act while singing makes performing in an opera an extra-difficult affair. But the challenge is part of the fun, according to the teens.
"In order to act as well, it almost feels like you have to humiliate yourself," Daniel joked. "But it's fun if you can just let go."
Amanda loves that opera challenges her naturally alto voice.
"It really makes me work on my voice to sing at a higher pitch," she said.
And the Treble Chorus of New England has opened a lot of doors socially for the teens. They've met famous people and been on tour in Germany, England and Canada, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. The chorus serves young people ages 6 to 19 from more than 35 area communities.
"I've met a lot of great friends," Daniel said.
"All the kids are really great," said Amanda. "We have a great time."
The teens hope more young people will expand their musical horizons and give opera a chance.
"I think everyone should get out there and listen to other kinds of music, music they've never heard before," Daniel said. "A lot of people have never heard opera, and they'll never know how amazing opera is."
ABOUT THE SHOW
"The Enchantress" is featured as this year's educational concert at Merrimack College. The opera will be performed at 10:30 a.m. on March 6 for the schools and that night at 7 for the public. Tickets are $5 for students and free for teachers/chaperons at the morning show and $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors at the evening show. Tickets for the evening show are available at the door. For more information about the morning school show, call 978-837-5461.
Copyright Haverhill Gazettte/Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. Used with permission. |
