UBCOperaTONIC

APRIL 22, 2012 —This month, UBC Opera’s Leah Giselle Field was 1 of 3 Winners of the Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for 2011/2012 in the Faculty of Arts. The award is in recognition of the valuable role that teaching assistants play in undergraduate programs at UBC. Leah had been honoured for her commitment to secondary voice instruction in the School of Music which she had taught since 2009 under Professor Heather Thomson-Price.

APRIL 17, 2012 —Baritone Alan Macdonald will complete his Master of Music in Opera from UBC this May. He takes a few moments to share his experience singing in Vancouver Opera’s chorus for Verdi’s masterful grand opera, Aïda.

(JK) Have you had much chorus experience prior to this? If so, how does Aïda differ?

(AM) Over the past two years at UBC I’ve sung in the choruses of Don Giovanni, Cendrillon, and most recently Rusalka.  Before that I was in the chorus of Opera New Brunswick’s production of Tosca (where I was both an altar boy and firing squad gunman – how’s that for versatility?) Aïda is, by far, the most chorus-heavy production I’ve ever done.  I’d say the sheer amount of music would be the biggest difference!

(JK) What is it like being part of such a large-scale professional production such as Aïda? Can you please describe the process a little?

(AM) The biggest adjustment in being a part of a professional production is the timeframe you have to work in.  Our first chorus music rehearsal was only four short weeks ago and we started staging rehearsals the week before last.  After less than a week of staging rehearsals the entire opera was “on its feet” and we were doing full runs!

(JK) Have you had any previous involvement with Vancouver Opera?

(AM)  This will be my first time on stage with Vancouver Opera, but I was lucky enough to participate in VOA’s Pre-Professional Internship Program this year (where I understudied the roles of The Father/Witch in the school-touring production of Hansel and Gretel) as well as taking part in the Young Artist Coaching Intensive where I was able to spend a week working one-on-one with Maestro Robert Tweten (conductor of VOA’s production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia).

(JK) Aïda is a dream role for some sopranos. What is your dream role and why?

(AM) Does that mean I can’t say Aïda? My “baritone” dream roles would have to be Figaro in Il Barbiere di Sivilgia and Pelléas in Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande.  Figaro because he is one of the most fun characters (both musically and dramatically) in operatic repertoire and Pelléas because I’m a sucker for Debussy’s music (seriously, it’s so beautiful) and a sucker for a good tragic love story.

(JK) What do you feel has been the most valuable aspect of this experience?

(AM) There are so many invaluable elements of working in a professional environment, but for me I have to say being on stage and in rehearsals with the leads has had the biggest impact – being able to watch professional singers “on the job” isn’t something a lot of young singers get to experience in school!  Shadowing these artists and watching how they work in rehearsals has been so educational and inspiring, just watching them embody these characters and sing this music so beautifully is worth countless hours in the practice room.

(JK) If you could sum up Aïda in one word, what would it be?

(AM) Awesome (in both the pre and post 80′s definition of the word).

(JK) Thank you for your time Alan. Can you tell us where we can find you next after Aïda?

(AM) Absolutely!  In June, I’ll be singing and dancing on stage as Danilo in The Merry Widow with UBC Opera and then this summer I’m headed to Alberta to perform in Irish composer Stephen McNeff’s adaptation of The Secret Garden with The Banff Centre’s Opera as Theatre program.

Don’t miss Vancouver Opera’s production of Aïda which runs April 21 – May 3 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Other UBC Opera students in the chorus: DJ Calhoun, Matt Chittick, Jordan Collalto, Julia Kot, Kwangmin Brian Lee, Nickolas Meyer, Heather Molloy, Saygin Ozgu, Richard Petroski, José Ramirez-Solano, Micah Schroeder, Brandon Thornhill, and Christopher Max van Wyck.

UBC Opera Alumni in the chorus: Andrey Andreychik, Ricarido Gimena, Paul Just, Lisa-Dawn Kilthau, Katherine Landry, Margo Levae, Martin Sadd, Sylvia Szadovszki, and Christine Turingia.

UBC Students as Supernumeraries in the production: Adam Da Ros and Mark Pepe.

More than 900 people attended the 91st annual Big Block awards for athletes last week. The winners at this prestigious affair included UBC Opera’s very own Andrew Robb who was honoured with the Bobby Gaul Memorial Award (Outstanding Graduating Male Athlete) for his achievements in golf over the course of his studies. Andrew led UBC to the NAIA team title in 2008 and won the individual competition at the Canadian university championships in the same year. He has also been honoured as an NAIA all-American, NAIA All-Tournament team, and first team All Canadian three times. As well as a NAIA Champion of Character award winner and an Academic All-Canadian.  Andrew Robb’s play helped UBC Men’s golf have four of the most successful years in UBC Men’s golf history. 

MARCH 24TH, 2012 —Saturday March 24th, 2012 afternoon marked the annual Strauss and Kandler Scholarships Competition. The Johann Strauss Foundation: Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Scholarships for Advanced Study of Music in Austria are for 3 individuals to study for a minimum of 4 weeks in Austria. The Joseph and Melitta Kandler Scholarship for Advanced Music Study is for an individual to study for a minimum of 2 weeks in Europe. Candidates submitted study-abroad proposals earlier in the month and on Saturday auditioned and were interviewed by the judges, Mr. David Agler and Ms. Keiko Alexander. Conductor David Agler is artistic director of Wexford Festival Opera, director and conductor of the opera program at the Banff Festival, and former musical director of the Vancouver Opera. Pianist Keiko Alexander is a graduate of the Juilliard School in New York and has both performed and adjudicated extensively throughout Canada, the United States, Japan, and Germany. In addition to the level of performance at the auditions, other criteria considered includes, past artistic achievements, future professional intentions, nature and length of proposed program of study, and financial need.

The Strauss Scholarships have been awarded to (in alphabetical order): Evanna Chiew (3rd year B.Mus, Opera), Kayleigh Harrison (M.Mus Candidate, Opera), and Julia Kot (M.Mus Candidate, Opera). Runner-up: Bahareh Poureslami (3rd year B.Mus, Voice)

The Kandler Scholarship has been awarded to Hillary Young (4th year B.Mus, Voice). First Runner-up: Jocelyn Lai (3rd year B.Mus, Piano) & Second Runner-up: is Richard Petroski (M.Mus Candidate, Opera).

Special thanks to Roelof Oostwoud for organizing and administering the competition. For more information on the scholarships click here.

MARCH 6, 2012 —The UBC Opera Program and the Physics & Astronomy Program have both been selected to receive the 2011-2012 Alfred Scow Award. This annual UBC award is given to an undergraduate program or department to honour its significant positive impact on student life and student development.

A UBC Alumnus, Judge Scow was the first Aboriginal person in British Columbia to graduate with a Bachelor of Law degree, and in 1962, he became the first Aboriginal lawyer in BC. He served as a judge for the Provincial Court of British Columbia from 1971 to 1992. His tireless efforts to support First Nations students contributed to the establishment of the First Nations House of Learning. The award that carries his namesake was established in honour of his commitment to UBC and his vision, integrity, and dedication to social justice.

A special thanks is required to those that participated in the award nomination process. Thanks to efforts made by Iain Taylor (Project Director, UBC Botanical Gardens), Alan Macdonald (M.Mus Candidate), Julia Kot (B.MUS’11 & M.Mus Candidate), and Evanna Chiew (3rd year B.Mus). All wrote detailed statements outlining their various experiences with the UBC Opera Program which was accompanied by an in-depth description of the program’s advancement over the years written by Nancy Hermiston (Head of the Voice & Opera Divisions).

Salmon Arm native soprano, Stephanie Nakagawa, graduated from UBC with her undergraduate in opera in 2009. She then went on to complete her Master’s Degree at Indiana University, where she is currently pursuing a doctorate. This weekend, Stephanie graces the recital stage along with talented pianist Joni Chan at the Nikkei Place in Burnaby. Joni currently serves on the faculty of the Vincennes University, and is a doctoral candidate in Piano Performance at Indianan University’s Jacob’s School of Music. These two young stars will present a variety of works including Japanese and Canadian art songs, opera arias, as well as solo piano pieces.

Their recital tour started in Burnaby, before the young, talented pair continues on to perform in Enderby as well as Stephanie’s hometown of Salmon Arm. To read an article about her tour click here.

Why do young people choose to study opera? Alexandra Gibb asked three UBC Opera students why they pursue this amazing discipline. Alexandra is a  dual Canadian-American citizen and UBC Masters of Journalism student specializing in national defence and security reporting.

UBC Opera is thrilled to have had Adéla Velová, Prague native, study as an exchange student here since the fall. Adéla arrived in Vancouver, and was immediately thrust into the active lifestyle of UBC Opera, studying voice and acting with Nancy Hermiston and singing the role of Mercy Lewis in The Crucible this November. She graduated from the Prague Conservatory where she studied under Professor Brigita Sulcova, and more recently studied at the Prague Music Academy under Professor Helena Kaupova. For the past two years, Adéla has been a guest singer at the Theatre Liberec (Reichenberg) where she performed the role of The Princess in The Devil and Kate. This past July, Adéla sang the role of the Foreign Princess with the UBC Opera Ensemble at the European Music Academy in Ústí nad Labem and Teplice, Czech Republic. This Friday and Sunday, Adéla reprises the role of the Foreign Princess as a part of her student exchange at UBC, and we couldn’t be happier to have her here with us!

The Little Mermaid has always resonated with me. It might be because it’s more than a tragic tale about the plight of a young woman in love. It’s a story about boundaries—a story about overcoming limits and growing up, realizing responsibilities and understanding the inconsistency of love.

Heading into the show, I did not know what to expect as this fairy tale has been adapted so often that the real account undoubtedly lies somewhere at the bottom of a lake. Antonín Dvorák’s Czech masterpiece is darker than the typical Disney tale and, in my opinion, far better.

UBC Opera did not disappoint. The set was magical and yet highly simple, and the costumes dazzled in the light. Kayleigh Harrison warmed the audience with her chilling portrayal of the independent and doomed Rusalka while Scott Brooks brilliantly played her protective, yet caring father, Vodník. A much needed comic relief was provided by Ana Toumine as the frightened kitchen boy and Aaaron Durand, the plump gamekeeper.

Choosing her own fate and defying tradition, Rusalka plunges into the human world only to resurface as a rejected love. In doing so, she grows from an infatuated child into adulthood. The transition is painful but honest, sad but beautiful. It is also a transition that many students make at UBC throughout their four years. Often, it means casting off defunct prejudices and finding the will to walk on our own two feet.

Wanting to dive into a refreshing take on the Little Mermaid? Consider going to the UBC Opera as they recreate the ethereal and magical world of Dvorak’s Rusalka—no packs with an evil witch required!

In Anna Theodosakis’s final episode of her video blog, she takes to backstage at the Chan Centre for the final Rusalka rehearsals.