July 18, 2023

Once a year I get invited into a very special world, one created by the legendary voice teacher Marlena Malas. In this world, Marlena surrounds herself with the finest people: top notch coaches, teachers, stage directors and of course she attracts the finest students. I always feel very fortunate when I have the opportunity to be a part of that team.
 
The annual event is our collaboration between her program and mine that results in a staged opera in Chautauqua’s Amphitheater. This is a tradition that Marlena and I started just a few years after I started my position at CHQ back in the 20th Century. We felt, and rightly so, that this could be an excellent experience for our students and the audience. The fact that I love to conduct opera might have had something to do with it as well.  
 
I don’t know the exact year off the top of my head, but we are well into two decades of these productions. The last 10 or so have been with John Giampietro doing the stage production. I love working with John. He brings a truly inspired vision to all of his work.  These productions are always done on a shoe-string budget, minimal props, no sets and just very basic lighting. I joked last night that, give John a flashlight and a roll of duct tape and he’ll give you a beautiful opera.
 
Our production was a double bill of two of Puccini’s Il Trittico:  Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica. Everything came together beautifully for the performance. I wish we could do them again. Like I said, I love to conduct opera.
 
Back to Marlena’s remarkable students. when I first started this job, I used to be surprised when I would see her former and current students show up in reviews in the NY Times, Washington Post or Wall Street Journal at least weekly mentioning their successes in the major opera houses of the world. I soon realized that was not something about which to be surprised. Many of the world’s greatest singers have come through her studio. I hesitate to single out any singers from last night for fear of leaving someone out. Suffice it to say that the entire cast was fabulous, but I do feel compelled to say keep an eye on Marquita Richardson who sang the title role of Suor Angelica. She is on her way to something very big.
 
Bravo to all involved in last night…what a thrill it was to be a part of it.  
 
My next concert here will be our final of the season. My conducting fellow, Ryo Hasegawa will bring Copland’s wonderful Billy the Kid to life, and I’ll wrap up with Mahler Symphony No. 5.
 
#ChautauquaOperaConservatory #MarlenaMalas #JohnGiampietro #ChautauquaInstitution #marquitarichardson
 
NEXT UP
 
Chautauqua Institution
Music School Festival Orchestra
August 7, 2023 8:15 p.m.
Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater
Chautauqua, New York
 
COPLAND        Billy the Kid Suite (Ryo Hasegawa, conducting)
MAHLER          Symphony No. 5