Opera-Loving Catholic Cardinal Edward Egan Of NYC Dies At Age 82

Cardinal Edward Egan listens to opera tenor Bryan Hymel
at the Waldorf-Astoria in October 2014

"Cardinal Edward M. Egan, a stern defender of Roman Catholic orthodoxy who presided over the New York Archdiocese for nine years in an era of troubled finances and changing demographics, died on Thursday in Manhattan. He was 82. Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, said Cardinal Egan died of cardiac arrest at NYU Langone Medical Center. As archbishop of New York from 2000 to 2009 — the spiritual head of a realm of 2.5 million parishioners, an archipelago of 400 churches and a majestic seat at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan — the cardinal was one of America’s most visible Catholic leaders, invoking prayers for justice when terrorists struck on Sept. 11, 2001, and escorting Pope Benedict XVI on his historic visit to the city in April 2008. In February of 2009, the pope announced that Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee had been selected to replace Cardinal Egan in New York on April 15, concluding a reign that had not been popular with many Catholics but had come to grips with hard decisions on church finances and had walked the line of Catholic doctrine against winds of change. But a month before retiring, Cardinal Egan seemed to soften his stance on the centuries-old requirement of priestly celibacy by suggesting the church would someday have to consider allowing priests to marry. 'I think that it’s going to be discussed; it’s a perfectly legitimate discussion,' he said on the Albany radio station Talk 1300. He added: 'I think it has to be looked at. And I am not so sure it wouldn’t be a good idea to decide on the basis of geography and culture not to make an across-the-board determination.'" New York residents know that Cardinal Edward Egan was known for his strong Catholic faith, but few had the knowledge that it was his love of opera that carried on a tradition of bringing operatic talent of the highest level to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Annually at services for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass visitors can hear the likes of Susan Graham, Renée Fleming, Hei-Kyung Hong, James Valenti, Danielle de Niese, Carl Tanner, Joyce DiDonato, Stephen Costello, Ramón Vargas, Maureen O'Flynn, Marcello Giordani, and Michael Fabiano. In 2007/2008, the Archdiocese of New York celebrated its Bicentennial with many celebratory Masses and events. Edward Cardinal Egan hosted a much-heralded concert featuring various choirs and stars from the Metropolitan Opera. [Source, Source, Source] Read more biographical information about Cardinal Egan here.

Hei-Kyung Hong Wins $300,000 Ho-Am Prize From Samsung Group

The soprano in the MET Opera gallery.

"Samsung Group yesterday honored the five winners of the annual Ho-Am Prize, who were announced last month. Lee Sang-yup, a professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kaist), operatic soprano Hong Hei-kyung and three others received the prestigious award along with 300 million won ($294,319) each at the Ho-Am Art Hall in central Seoul. The other winners are Nam Hong-gil, a professor at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology in Daegu, Seung K. Kim, a professor at Stanford University, and the Rev. Kim Ha-jong. 'The brilliant achievements of the recipients are proud assets for Korea and these people are models to emulate in our era,' said Kwun Sook-il, head of the National Academy of Sciences, during a congratulatory speech at the award ceremony yesterday. 'The winners of Ho-Am awards are the hope and future for our society.' About 550 leaders of Korean politics, business, academia, media, culture and sports, as well as foreign emissaries based in Korea, were in attendance, according to the Ho-Am Foundation. The Ho-Am Prize is given to Korean citizens who make the biggest contributions each year in science, engineering, medicine, the arts and philanthropy. The foundation said the winners are chosen through a four-month review process with seven expert panels screening candidates in each area." [Source]

Hei-Kyung Hong Eyes Madama Butterfly As Next Career Challenge

Opera Veteran: Hei-Kyung Hong (Photo: J. Henry Fair)

"Prima donna Hei-kyung Hong beamed at reporters of the JoongAng Ilbo’s bureau in New York after learning she was the winner of the 2014 Ho-Am Prize for her contribution to the arts. 'I am so glad that I’ve achieved my goal,' said Hong, who has been an established international opera star for the past three decades. 'When I went to New York to study in the Juilliard School back in the 1970s, I was the only Korean kid in the entire class. Asians were still marginalized in U.S. society at that time, and explicit discrimination was all around,' recalled the virtuoso. 'At that time, I had this feeling I was representing Asian society as a whole; so I wanted to become a formidable soprano who would gain everyone’s respect, regardless of the color of their skin.' Hong is known as a pioneer in Korea because she paved the way for musicians junior to her. After she made her astounding debut in 1984 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, many young, aspiring musicians in her home nation dreamed of following her. Though she has become a national icon for opera music in 21st-century Korea, her path wasn’t initially rosy. Having a remarkable debut was not enough to beat competitors. 'I didn’t win a big title as soon I first started my career in New York. It did not come immediately,' Hong said. 'I guess practicing self-control definitely helped me. Some young vocalists merely accept all the requests of international producers, hoping to become big stars in the opera world,” she continued. “But if you are not ready for the stage, you should be brave enough to say no to the offer.' After having performed on stage more than 350 times at the Met, Hong, who will celebrate her 55th birthday in July, notes that it has been tough to maintain the quality of her voice. 'In Juilliard, I saw so many talented vocalists losing their gifted talents due to overstraining their voice,' said Hong, adding that she has done her best to preserve her vocal chords. A female soprano’s voice reaches its peak between the mid-40s to 55 years old, according to Hong. 'As she becomes 55, she needs to step down from the throne,' she said. But Hong still wants to take on other operatic roles, such as Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. 'When I was younger, I deliberately avoided Madama Butterfly’s character because I did not want to conform to the rigid stereotype that Asians should play Asian roles,' the prize laureate said. 'But now, I dream to show the best version of Butterfly, or Cio-cio san, as a veteran soprano.'” [Source] Watch a stunning video of Hei-Kyung Hong's artistry by clicking here.

Cincinnati Opera Gets Ryan Seacrest to Host Gala on June 19

TV and radio personality Ryan Seacrest is scheduled to serve as special guest host for Cincinnati Opera's Saturday, June 19 Gala Concert at Music Hall. Seacrest, who is best-known as the host of the highly-rated American Idol, will appear in person at Music Hall for the celebratory event. 'Ryan Seacrest is one of the finest and best loved television hosts,' said Cincinnati Opera's Artistic Director Evans Mirageas. 'His work on American Idol is inspiring, and his personal passion for music is clear. We're thrilled that he'll be joining us to lead our anniversary celebration.' [Source ] Read about the prestigious guest list for the event after the jump.

Evans Mirageas, Ryan Seacrest, Angela Brown and Richard Leech

PHOTOS: Hei-Kyung Hong as Violetta at the Metropolitan Opera

Click here to see more photos from the Willy Decker production of Verdi's La Traviata featuring Hei-Kyung Hong at the Metropolitan Opera.

"Turandot" To Take Hollywood Bowl By Storm Under Dudamel

"Turandot, Puccini’s extravagant portrayal of a legendary China, comes to the Hollywood Bowl in a concert production. Opera star Christine Brewer stars as the icy princess who challenges her suitors to a game of riddles to win her heart. Conducting his second opera at the Bowl, Music Director Gustavo Dudamel leads this story of love, featuring some of the most beloved arias of all time, such as 'Nessun dorma.'" [Source]

Sunday, July 17, 2011, 7:30PM

ARTISTS:
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Christine Brewer, Turandot
Francesco Hong, tenor, Calaf
Hei-Kyung Hong, soprano, Liù
Alexander Vinogradov, bass, Timur
Timothy Mix, baritone, Ping
Daniel Montenegro, tenor, Pang
Beau Gibson, tenor, Pong
Greg Fedderly, tenor, Emperor Altoum
Craig Verm, baritone, Mandarin
Los Angeles Master Chorale, Grant Gershon, music director
Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Anne Tomlinson, artistic director
(Photos of Christine Brewer by Christian Steiner)

Hei-Kyung Hong Has Her Moment in the Sun

The soprano has sung nearly 360 performances at the MET and covered countless other evenings
(Photo: Natalie Kessyar/Wall Street Journal)

A native of Seoul, South Korea, the soprano starting studying at the Juilliard School of Music at age 15. Now a highly successful opera singer of 51, she makes her home in Bayside, New York, with her husband. They have three children: two daughters, 30 and 31, and one son that is now 17. Read the Wall Street Journal article about her decisions to make the Metropolitan Opera the central focus of her career, even if that meant not being front-and-center of fame. She also discusses what helped her find the focus that created the longevity in her singing and why the voice maintains a wonderful gleam. You'll also find out if she is really kissing her Roméo et Juliette co-star Piotr Beczala during the performance! [Source]

High Praise for Hei-Kyung Hong as Gounod's Juliette

"...the soprano Hei-Kyung Hong, one of the best and most indefatigable of these singers, has performed with the Metropolitan Opera no fewer than 348 times since her debut in 1984. Stalwart artists like Ms. Hong are the ones ready to step in when international stars call in sick. On Wednesday, the soprano Angela Gheorghiu, citing an unspecified illness, announced that she was dropping out of the Met’s revival of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, which opened Thursday evening. She was replaced by Ms. Hong, who in true Met veteran style had gone on for another ailing Juliette back in 1996. Ms. Hong rose to the occasion with an elegant, touching performance. Her voice is cool and slender, but

(Photo: Sara Krulwich/NYTimes)

the understated detail of her singing makes it feel more imposing than it is: the way she poignantly colored her farewell to Roméo at the end of the balcony scene; her dreamy murmur of his name in the bedchamber duet. Though not the most galvanizing stage presence, she is a fine, subtle actress. It’s not easy for a 51-year-old singer to impersonate a teenager, but Ms. Hong was convincing and true, resisting every temptation to overplay. When she saw Roméo for the first time, her posture changed almost imperceptibly. She stood up taller; her gestures relaxed; she seemed to mature in front of your eyes. Her performance was full of such telling touches." [Source]