Last night was the first meeting of the Madison Opera High School Apprenticeship Program. The apprentices were treated to a rehearsal of the opening section of Madama Butterfly:
Three of Madison Opera’s High School Apprentices at rehearsal
Goro (Jason Ferrante) presents the maid Suzuki (Heather Johnson), a cook, and a servant to Lt. Pinkerton to go along with the house he will rent in Nagasaki
These dancer/actors practice the Suzuki method in preparation for their job as “kurogo” in Madama Butterfly. In traditional Japaense Kabuki theater, “kurogo” means “onstage assistant.” Click here for a more detailed explanation.
Listen to Outside the Box with Mitch Henck this morning at 10 a.m. on WIBA-AM 1310 News/Talk radio for a discussion of our upcoming production with General Director Allan Naplan and Maestro Leonardo Vordoni!
Sorrow, Cio-Cio-San’s son in Madama Butterfly (sometimes called Trouble), will be played by Simon Jenks in our upcoming production, and he had his costume fitting Tuesday night. The pictures will give you an idea of Jun Kaneko’s whimsical costumes, and they’re really cute to boot!
Simon, in Sorrow’s Act II costume
Simon with tenor Arnold Rawls (Lt. Pinkerton, Sorrow’s father)
Getting fitted for the Act III costume
The artists are here! Rehearsals for Madama Butterfly got underway yesterday, and I swung by day 2 this morning. The principal singers were reading through the score with conductor Leonardo Vordoni and pianist Yasuko Oura. Though many of our guest artists know each other and have worked together before, this is the first time they really get a sense of the conductor’s interpretation of the score and how they will need to work to blend their voices. Here are some photos:
L-R: Jason Ferrante (Goro), Grant Youngblood (Sharpless), Arnold Rawls (Pinkerton), Maria Kanyova (Cio-Cio-San), and Heather Johnson (Suzuki)
General Director Allan Naplan, Stage Manager Jill Krynicki, and Maestro Leonardo Vordoni all wrapped up in the score
Arnold belting it out
Maria’s first notes
Three of Madison Opera’s High School Apprentices at rehearsal
Goro (Jason Ferrante) presents the maid Suzuki (Heather Johnson), a cook, and a servant to Lt. Pinkerton to go along with the house he will rent in Nagasaki
These dancer/actors practice the Suzuki method in preparation for their job as “kurogo” in Madama Butterfly. In traditional Japaense Kabuki theater, “kurogo” means “onstage assistant.” Click here for a more detailed explanation.
