operaramblings

John's opera ramblings

Show Me The Way

Posted on March 11, 2024 by operaramblings

Show Me The Way is a new double CD from baritone Will Liverman, pianist Jonathan King and various collaborators featuring vocal works by female American composers. It draws on a wide range of influences from Ella Fitzgerald to Will’s mother.

There are several song cycles; some composed for the album or not previously recorded. There’s A Sable Jubilee with music by Jasmine Barnes and text by Tesia Kwarteng. It’s a celebration of “blackness” in various moods incorporating jazz influences into a complex tonal structure. It’s beautifully sung by Liverman and very skilfully accompanied by King on piano. Continue reading →

I Capuletti e I Montecchi

Posted on January 31, 2016 by operaramblings

The story line for Bellini’s opera I Capuletti e I Montecchi will be familiar enough though it’s very condensed and based on the earlier source by Bandello rather than Shakespeare’s more elaborate reworking. So, lots of feuding but no back story, no balcony scene, no friar’s cell. But (spoiler alert) the ending is the same. Vincent Broussard’s production, originally from Munich but filmed in San Francisco in 2012, sets the work around the time of its composition and seems at times to reference that it was composed for the Venice Carnivale. It also veers around between being quite literal and trying to make the story something going on in Romeo’s head. The production is quite influenced visually by the fact that the costumes were designed by Christian Lacroix and it’s unclear whether he’s trying to support the production concept or promote his brand.

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