Marilyn Horne Returns to New Jersey To Celebrate Opera

Days Gone By: Marilyn & Henry

"Do the stars predict a promising future for Opera New Jersey? It certainly seemed so Sunday night, as diva Marilyn Horne and three of her former students — now rising stars themselves — lent their luster to the organization’s 'Celebrate Opera' Gala. The event, which was held Sunday evening at the Hyatt Regency Princeton, honored Ms. Horne for her long and glorious singing career and her continuing work as a teacher and promoter of young artists. For her part, Ms. Horne said that she was delighted to be back in New Jersey. She said she remembered fondly the nine years she had spent in the state with the late Henry Lewis, who was then her husband, as well as the conductor and music director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra....After dinner, three young singers entertained the gala audience with a half-hour concert. All had been associated with the Marilyn Horne Foundation, which presents young singers in recitals throughout the country. (In May 2010, the foundation’s programs became part of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.) Baritone Keith Phares sang 'Largo al factotum' from The Barber of Seville, as well as arias by Ravel and Korngold. He recently appeared with Opera New Jersey as Falke

Keith Phares

Rinat Shaham

Erica Strauss

in Die Fledermaus and has sung with many major companies, including San Francisco Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, and Glimmerglass Opera. Mezzo-soprano Rinat Shaham sang art songs by Richard Strauss and Poulenc, as well as 'Habanera' from Carmen. She just performed the title role in that opera with The Opera Company of Philadelphia. As a recital artist she has sung with some of the world’s pre-eminent conductors. Soprano Erica Strauss has sung with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Metropolitan Opera, and Sarasota Opera. Also a recital artist, she sang an aria from Rusalka as well as songs by Chaminade and Rossini. All three singers joined in the trio 'Soave sia il ventro' from Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte.” [Source]

Australia's 2011 Helpmann Award-Winners Announced

"The annual Helpmann Awards® recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia's vibrant live performance sectors, including musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, theatre, dance and physical theatre. The Helpmann Awards also incorporates the JC Williamson Award for outstanding contribution to the Australian live performance industry. The Helpmann Awards®, named in honour of Sir Robert Helpmann and to commemorate his memory and achievements, were established in 2001 by Live Performance Australia (LPA) to recognise, celebrate and promote our live performance industry, similar to the Tony Awards on Broadway and the Olivier Awards in London. The principal objective of LPA in establishing the Awards is to nationally and internationally serve and promote the Australian live performance industry by:
- recognising distinguished artistic achievement and excellence
- ensuring the Awards are administered and produced with integrity
- ensuring the Awards are celebrated by the industry and the Australian community
- ensuring the Awards are the most prestigious awards in the industry and the highlight of each Season." [Source]

Nominees this season included (pictured above left to right): Rinat Shaham, Rachel Durkin, Emma Matthews and Patricia Racette. A complete list of this year's nominees (and winners) by category is after the jump.

Rinat Shaham Keeps Horses Off Stage

The theatre adage "never work with children or animals" has some resonance for opera singer Rinat Shaham. The mezzo soprano has no problem at all with the many children in a production of Bizet's Carmen at the Sydney Opera House, but cannot tolerate horses. Animals, including horses, donkeys and chickens, were a spectacular part of the production when it was first staged here in 2008. But for Israeli-born Shaham, who has made the title role her own in productions from Tel Aviv to New Orleans, the animals have been removed from the production. Between acts at a rehearsal in Sydney yesterday, Shaham was at pains to point out that her aversion to animals is medical, not a diva's demand. [Source]