Opera Archives - Page 2 of 2

Pretty Yende and Friends – Cape Town City Hall Wed 11 August 2010

Albert Combrink2010-07-23T14:28:18+02:00

Hear South Africa's top operatic talent in a concert to raise funds for the next generation's stars. Pretty Yende - on a brief return from La Scala Milan, and Luthando Qave - en route to New York's Metropolitan Opera - are joined by Elizabeth Frandsen and Given Nkosi, Cellist Sarah Acres, and Pianist Albert Combrink, in a Gala Concert to raise funds for the Diemersfontein "Excellence out of Africa" Bursary Trust. Pretty Yende recently performed with superstars Andrea Bocelli and Bryan Adams in the FIFA 2010 World Cup Closing Concert.

Pretty Yende and Friends – Cape Town City Hall Wed 11 August 2010Albert Combrink2010-07-23T14:28:18+02:00

Review of Isango Portabello’s Magic Flute – Duke of York’s Theatre 2007

Albert Combrink2010-01-13T21:07:20+02:00

Albert Combrink was the vocal coach and repetiteur for a very unusual version of Mozart's Magic Flute at various theatres across the world, including the Duke of York's Theatre in 2007, winning the Laurence Olivier Award (2008) for Best Musical Revival and the Theatre Goers’ Choice Award.

Review of Isango Portabello’s Magic Flute – Duke of York’s Theatre 2007Albert Combrink2010-01-13T21:07:20+02:00

The Operas of Samuel Barber: Some recorded materials of “Vanessa” and “Antony and Cleopatra”

Albert Combrink2009-07-09T12:26:30+02:00

Samuel Barber was a fine Baritone, nephew of a famous contralto Louise Homer and long-term partner of opera composer Gian Carlo Menotti. By all accounts he was an avid opera-goer and –lover. Therefore it seems odd that, his first opera, “Vanessa” was written when he was 48. It seems he took his preparations very seriously indeed. Commissioned by the Metropolitan in New York, its first performance was so successful it commissioned a second opera “Antony and Cleopatra”. After it’s first triumphant season at the Met, “Vanessa” was however unable [read more…]

The Operas of Samuel Barber: Some recorded materials of “Vanessa” and “Antony and Cleopatra”Albert Combrink2009-07-09T12:26:30+02:00

Rossini’s “La Scala di Seta”: meet the players

Albert Combrink2009-06-08T20:59:35+02:00

I have been a repetiteur for many productions, from Operas to Musicals to Cabarets. But I have enjoyed few of them as much as this production conducted by Alex Fokkens and directed by Lara Bye. The story is delightfully funny and charming. A young couple are in love and already secretly married, and this becomes the engine that drives the farce. I think it is a real “Closet-Opera”: there is always at least one closet on the stage, with always at least one person hiding in [read more…]

Rossini’s “La Scala di Seta”: meet the playersAlbert Combrink2009-06-08T20:59:35+02:00

“La Scala di Seta” – Synopsis

Albert Combrink2009-06-07T19:53:45+02:00

Catch “La Scala di Seta” 12 and 13 June 2009 at Atrscape Theatre

Synopsis

Dormont is the teacher and guardian of the beautiful Giulia, and he is determined that she will marry Blansac despite her continual rejection of his advances. The fact is that Giulia is already married to Blansac’s friend Dorvil, who every night is able to exercise his conjugal rights because Giulia lowers a ladder made of silk down to him from [read more…]

“La Scala di Seta” – SynopsisAlbert Combrink2009-06-07T19:53:45+02:00

Dangerous Liaisons – Albert Combrink talks to Sunnyboy Dladla

Albert Combrink2009-05-25T20:46:39+02:00

The tenor who was almost a nurse

DANGEROUS LIAISONS: Bel Canto Arias and Duets of Love & Intrigue

Beau Soleil Music School
12 Salisbury Rd, Kenilworth
Adults R50, Children R20
SUNDAY 31 MAY 5pm

I love listening to Sunnyboy’s voice. It is a clear and bright sound that goes up and down the scale without sounding tight, tense or pinched. He can reach those stratospheric high notes that are so thrilling in operatic music. Sunnyboy sounds young and fresh, no wobble in sight, without any of the suicidal gasps and chest-beating one expects [read more…]

Dangerous Liaisons – Albert Combrink talks to Sunnyboy DladlaAlbert Combrink2009-05-25T20:46:39+02:00

Some Lyric Tenors

Albert Combrink2009-05-25T20:17:17+02:00

Here are some lyric tenors from the past singing repertoire which Sunnyboy Dladla and I will be presenting on 31 May in our concert, “Dangerous Liaisons”.

Fritz Wunderlich – Il mio Tesoro from Don Giovanni (M0zart)

More Wunderlich – Ecco Ridente from Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini)

Luigi Alva – Una furtiva Lagrima from L’Elisir d’amore (Donizetti)

Luigi Alva – Quanto e bella from L’Elisir d’amore (Donizetti)

Luigi Alva – Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini)

Juan Diego Florez – Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini)

Juan Diego Florez — Ecco Ridente Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini)

William Matteuzzi – La Scala [read more…]

Some Lyric TenorsAlbert Combrink2009-05-25T20:17:17+02:00

The story of Katia Ricciarelli: Did the wrong repertoire ruin a voice?

Albert Combrink2009-05-25T20:11:10+02:00

The almost godlike power of twentieth-century conductors may have prematurely ended some singing careers. Riccardo Muti pushed Cheryl Studer into singing everything from Mozart's "Queen of the Night" to the complete opposite vocal spectrum of Wagner's "Isolde". And then when her voice wobbled its objections, he fired her. The power to hire and fire lay with the conductor, as did the ability to shape careers, and (in the case of Karajan) to exercise total control over a singer's recorded legacy. Not that Karajan was the only culprit. Far from it. Nonetheless, his power to make and break careers was absolute and singers followed his advice if they wanted to work in the top European opera houses.

The story of Katia Ricciarelli: Did the wrong repertoire ruin a voice?Albert Combrink2009-05-25T20:11:10+02:00