Blog Archives
Radames & Aïda in Act III of Aïda
Drew Slatton & Marie-Adele McArthur in a scene from Act III of Aïda.
I am in the male chorus of Phoenix Opera’s production of Aïda at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. I got permission to take photos of the show during Act III, which I’m not in, and it was thrilling to capture dramatic moments in this grand opera. Another photographer turned to me while I was snapping photos and he had a smile on his face that showed me he was on a photographer’s high– it was that look that one person gives another when he’s so bubbling over with happiness he has to turn to his fellow man and say, “isn’t it great?” Turns out the photographer is Howard Paley, the Executive Director of Phoenix Opera. I told him how I would put these photos on Flickr and send him a link to them. I only had enough time to get six hours of sleep and put up a few photos for now, but I look forward to putting up more later this afternoon.
P.S. Back home from work now, I must add that what is astonishing in the chemistry you see here is that Drew Slatton, our new Radames, flew in just before this final dress rehearsal to replace an ailing tenor. He has played Radames several times, and he was able to jump in at the last minute to Save Our Ship. The nimbleness of Phoenix Opera, Drew Slatton, Marie-Adele MacArthur, and all the performers who adjusted to him goes to show the amazing talent and dedication of the opera world!
Production credits: lighting design by Paul Black, costume design and production direction by David Castellano, artistic direction by Gail Dubinbaum, musical direction by John Massaro and stage direction by Albert Sherman. More info at phoenixopera.org
Sitzprobe at the Orpheum Theatre
First rehearsal with the orchestra for Aida, which opens this Friday night ( get tix from phoenixopera.org ). Also my first time on the stage of an Orpheum Theatre. My grandmother, Audrey Arent performed here as Linda Preston in the late days of vaudeville. Who knows? I may be standing in her "footprints" right now!
Singing Experiences
- Started taking weekly singing lessons from mezzo soprano Dianna Ruggiero from July 2003, and I’ve been delighted with the results.
- Sang as a member and soloist with the Shir Hadash Choir at Congregation Dor Hadash 1999–2000, 2003.
- Sang for nine holiday seasons with Janet Hammer’s Full Measure Carolers from 1993–2003.
- Recorded vocals for Voices of American History Volume II: American Revolution—The Journey Toward Independence, Creative Partners, 2002.
- Sang at Piano Zinc in Paris, November 1, 1997.
- Performed a solo cabaret concert at A Better Worlde Galleria, June 9, 1996.
- Sang in choruses of San Diego Comic Opera’s productions of Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado, 1993, 1994.
- Sang with the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego, 1993.
- Sang in choruses of SGI-USA (an international Buddhist world peace organization), 1978–1990.
