Layla Vinson
Staff Writer
Across Chautauqua’s Performing and Visual Arts programming, there are ample opportunities for Chautauquans to watch artists grow and innovate through their disciplines. June 28 brought Chautauqua Opera Conservatory’s annual Sing-In, and 6 p.m. today in Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall brings Chautauqua Opera Company’s.
For Chautauqua Opera Company General and Artistic Director Steven Osgood, tonight is the audience’s “first chance to hear them sing and say, ‘Okay, here are the 16 singers we get to track through the whole season.’”
Tonight, these 16 artists — eight studio artists and eight apprentices — will select a piece of their choice to make their first impression on Chautauqua.
The Sing-In provides artists with the creative freedom to select something from their audition book, which typically consists of roughly five arias ranging in languages and styles demonstrating what they’re capable of performing. This contrasts with a typical operatic performance, in which roles are assigned to artists and a program is established.
“That’s kind of a superpower of being an opera singer — to have the right book,” Osgood said.
Several of the artists expressed great excitement for the event, as it is the sole opportunity they will have during their time at Chautauqua to maintain complete freedom over what they’re performing. Soprano and studio artist Faith Adams highlighted her decision to align her performance with the Week One theme, “Icons & Instigators: Women Who Change the World.”
“I think particularly to perform an American composer’s work at a time when American audiences really need to hear the message of this show and the message of American women and their resilience amongst evangelicalism being used as a weapon and a tool of oppression,” Adams said, referencing her chosen aria from Carlisle Floyd’s, Susannah. “I think that’s a really pertinent theme.”
While the artists have gotten the opportunity to know one another on a personal level since arriving at Chautauqua, their vocal introductions to the community and their colleagues have yet to take place.
“We’ve been in individual coachings a lot, so besides knowing a few people from before or knowing their work, then I feel like we haven’t had a chance to really get to know their music making as much,” said returning tenor and apprentice artist Tyrese Byrd.
Aside from the Sing-In and emergent rehearsals for this season’s triple-bill production, The Summer Place, the first two weeks of the Company’s time are highly focused on Sarah in the Theater. Renowned composer and librettist of the piece, Mark Adamo, best known for his debut opera Little Women will be working alongside artists to bring the piece to life.
“I’m just excited to share the music with people who also enjoy what I do,” said bass and apprentice artist Brian Linares, voicing great enthusiasm for the Sing-In and the season ahead. “Any day you get to sing is a good day.”
