Category Archives: KMFA on the road

Verdi’s La Traviata bears the test of time

~posted by Renee Beale, KMFA announcer… Renee was fortunate to have attended the ALO season premiere of La Traviata

“‘La Traviata last night a failure. My fault or the singers?’ Time will tell.” This has become Giuseppe Verdi’s most famous letter written about the opening night of his opera in 1853, when the performance was not met with success.

His written words convey his faith in the public’s awareness of what is good art and what is not. Opera audiences since then have proven that Verdi produced good art, and its popularity perseveres today. La Traviata has become one of the most performed operas in North America, and it doesn’t matter how many times I see it, I cry every time during Act II when Giorgio Germont requests Violetta to leave the younger Germont, because she is sullying their good name. The performances in Act II by Pamela Armstrong and Grant Youngblood were exceptional, not only in their singing performances, but in the connection they made with each other as actors. Ms. Armstrong’s accurate emotional portrayal of love mixed with shame, and acceptance of knowing the consequences of her choices would ruin her chance at true love, were captivating.

photo: courtesy of ALO's Facebook page! 🙂

While driving to ALO’s season premiere of this beloved opera, I was pleased to catch the on-air conversation that KMFA hosts Dianne Donovan and Jeffrey Blair had with Kevin Patterson, the General Director of the Austin Lyric Opera. Kevin mentioned quite emphatically that opera, and particularly La Traviata, have never been more relevant due to the social implications during that era that continue to exist today. I am always amazed how societies resist change, especially when it comes to whom one marries and whether that coupling will enhance social status (or dilute it). All the performances along with the stage design were extraordinar, and the emotionally charged connections between the actors were strong and believable. “Let’s drink to that sweet ecstasy” that is La Traviata. Bravo to ALO!

 

~posted by Renee Beale, KMFA announcer. You can read more about KMFA’s on-air hosts by visiting our website.

 

Preview of Austin Lyric Opera’s “La Traviata”

~posted by Dianne Donovan, KMFA’s mid-day host

On Wednesday’s episode of Classical Austin, we featured a spotlight on Austin Lyric Opera’s Production of “La Traviata,” by Giuseppe Verdi.

I had some special guests in the studio! Namely, the stars of the opera: “Violetta,” Pamela Armstrong (soprano),  “Alfredo,” Texas-born Chad Shelton (tenor), and the Principal Conductor of Austin Lyric Opera, Maestro Richard Buckley. We learned about some of the challenges and thrills of performing this stunning masterpiece. 

There was more to the interview than we could fit into the show, so if you would like to hear more, or if you missed the show,  click here for your listening pleasure.

(If you heard the show, the music I played was from a recording that featured Cheryl Studer, Lucian Pavarotti, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, under the direction of James Levine. Deutsche Grammaphon 435 797.)

Austin Lyric Opera performances will be November 6th, 10th, 12th & 14th, at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

KMFA will broadcast the opening-night event, Saturday, November 6th, with a “pre-game” show starting at 5:30pm.

More information about the performance can be found at www.austinlyricopera.org

~Dianne Donovan is KMFA’s midday announcer and host/producer of Classical Austin.


Dia de los Muertos at the Mexic-Arte Museum

The holiday “Day of the Dead” focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for, and remember,  the dearly departed.

One of the favorite traditions is the Grand Procession, featuring a parade of folks in costume honoring the souls of departed loved-ones. Last Saturday, this event was presented as part of Mexic-Arte’s Dia de los Muertos festivities.

My niece is a pretty talented shutterbug, and took a lot of great photos that I thought were too good not to share:

Dia de la Muertos is officially on Nov. 2nd. So, gather your sugar skulls and assemble your alters, and celebrate!

~posted by Alison @ KMFA 🙂

Appreciating Monet at the Blanton Museum

~posted by Carmel O’Donovan, KMFA announcer


I think Joni Mitchell hit the nail on the head when she sang: “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone?”

Certainly, moving as I did from London almost four years ago, I felt a great sadness as I packed the boxes and cases knowing that I had had some of the finest art galleries almost on my doorstep, and yet I had taken them for granted and consequently failed to visit them as often as I could have. Even the thought of the deeply irritating and wildly incontinent pigeons fluttering around the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square made me feel a little misty-eyed. But girding my loins, I carried on packing and before long I arrived here in Austin, Texas.

I am happy to tell you that I had not been here very long when I discovered our very own jewel in the heart of the city – The Blanton Museum of Art.  At that time my oldest son was a freshman at UT and his dorms were just around the corner, so when bringing food parcels and his clean laundry (yes I know I am a mug), I could “pop in” to the Blanton, have a swift chug of culture and drive home to cook and wash for my other children. It was a haven of civilization in my otherwise rather overly domestic existence. I became a member of The Blanton, and while I’m still guilty of not visiting as often as I could, every time I go it is quite simply a delight.

For those of you who have yet to visit The Blanton, I urge you not to miss the current exhibit, “Turner to Monet: Masterpieces of the Walters Art Museum.” The exhibit opened on October 2nd, and runs until January 2nd, 2011. It is, quite simply, world class, with 40 paintings by Degas, Monet, Turner, Manet and others, collected by the Walters family at the turn of the last century. Some of them will just take your breath away. My personal favorite is the portrait of Mrs. Monet reading under a blossom tree – the organizers clearly like that one too, as it is the picture featured on the brochure and adverts. I love being a member as I can visit as many times as I like and stay for even a few minutes and then go to the café and sample some of their delicious home-cooked goodies. And for those of you stuck for ideas for Christmas gifts (like me), what about a membership from the Blanton? Look out for me, I’ll be the one lurking under the Monet, determined to learn from my London mistakes and making the most of this treasure!

 

Carmel O’Donovan is a part-time announcer on KMFA 89.5; you can read more about Carmel and all our Music Hosts on our website.

A taste of La Vida Bona

~posted by Sara Hessel, KMFA music director

An excited crowd of several hundred gathered in Bates Recital Hall on the UT campus on Sunday evening to hear one of the biggest names in early music perform. Jordi Savall, the man credited with the modern rebirth of the viola da gamba, was in town with his groups Hespèrion XXI and La Capella Reial de Catalunya to perform music taken from his latest CD release: El Nuevo Mundo: Follías Criollas. Also featured were soprano Montserrat Figueras, and Tembembe Ensamble Continuo from Mexico. The concert was entitled “Route of the New World: Spain to Mexico – The musical dialogue from the Old Spain, the Mexican Baroque and the living Huasteca and Jarocho traditions.”

The excitement of the audience turned to exuberance once the musicians started to work their magic onstage. Tembembe vocalists Ada Coronel and Zenén Zeferino were greeted with cheers after their performance of the traditional huasteca El Cielito Lindo. One of my favorite moments was Ms. Figueras’ performance of Trompicávalas Amor. Her music seems to originate in the center of her being, to be disseminated in waves in time with her movements. I found her a joy to watch as well as to listen to. Another high point came from the viol master himself, Jordi Savall, during an instrumental improvisation. I could feel the entire hall hanging from his every bowstroke. I could sit for hours and listen to him weave a tale with his instrument (which I learned later was an original from the  16th century!) I was also blown away by the flawless choral singing of La Capella Reial de Catalunya, and the seemingly effortless way in which they switched between styles. My favorite choral piece was Chacona: a la vida bona by Juan Arañés.

The effervescent music made even my creaky German bones want to dance, but luckily that aspect was already taken care of by someone far more qualified! Donají Esparza wowed the audience with her footwork and graceful onstage presence. After the performance, the overwhelming applause resulted in an encore, and after that the musicians were called back for yet another curtain call. They were obviously touched by the passionate response their performance brought forth. I hope they will remember Austin as fondly as we’ll remember the incredible evening of music they gave us!

[Sara Hessell had the opportunity to interview Jordi Savall while he was in Austin; if you missed hearing it on Sunday’s broadcast of Ancient Voices, you can listen to it again here.]

~posted by Sara Hessel, KMFA Music Director and host of Ancient Voices.

Ballet Austin’s Studio Spotlight: an enlightening preview

~posted by Dianne Donovan, KMFA mid-day announcer

There are many of us who love to dance to anything and everything. I myself, have created dances to the Law and Order Theme, the Charlie Rose Theme and Ravel’s Bolero. However, when it gets right down to it, I don’t know much about real dancing.

Enter Ballet Austin’s “Studio Spotlight.” It’s an opportunity for dance-lovers and dancers to watch the pros dance, and to see excerpts of Ballet Austin’s upcoming productions, while still in rehearsal, up-close and personal. Last night, I attended the Studio Spotlight for “Carmina Burana and Kai.” Interspersed with the dance segments, Ballet’s Austin’s Associate Director, Michelle Miller, gave us some background on the works in question. Near the end of the session, the audience had an opportunity to ask questions of Artistic Director, and Choreographer, Stephen Mills. Aside from being informative, it was also exciting to see the dancers warming up and perfecting their moves. It’s great for the audience and it’s a fabulous way for Ballet Austin to extend their beneficial impact into the community.

Ballet Austin-Studio Spotlight – for more information, visit their website: www.balletaustin.org/studiospotlight

(Duration: 1 hour; Location: Ballet Austin’s Butler Dance Education Center – 501 West 3rd St.  … Dates/Times: Usually the Wednesday about a week and a half before performance dates.)

~Dianne Donovan is KMFA’s midday announcer and host/producer of Classical Austin.

Traveling Miles… or, How I Spent My Summer Vacation, by Dianne Donovan

~ posted by by Dianne Donovan, KMFA announcer

I had a little time away from my Austin home (and KMFA) this summer. For the most part, I was visiting family and friends in the Northeast. However, I heard about one very special exhibition that I just had to take in: The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts was presenting a multi-media retrospective of the jazz icon, trumpeter, composer, and artist, Miles Davis. As a huge jazz fan, singer, producer/host of jazz radio programs for over 25 years, this really piqued my interest.

“We Want Miles”: Miles vs. Jazz — is an exhibition from Paris that was designed by the Cité de la Musique, Paris, with support by Miles Davis Properties, LCC.

I wondered, how does one capture a lifetime of art from such a complex man who was constantly re-inventing himself? Also, how do you fill the museum with pieces from a man whose medium was, primarily, music?

The exhibition was divided into eight parts in chronological order, from Davis’s early days in St. Louis and New York and Paris, through his ground-breaking recordings in the late ’50s and 60s, to his electric days and to his superstar status, that status beyond anything the jazz world had previously produced.

Each part of the exhibition featured historic photographs, magazine articles, and letters.  There were classic album covers, sheet music with notes about the notes, and of course, music piped throughout, with dedicated listening rooms. The final room featured some of Miles’s own paintings and instruments used on some classic recordings.

While looking at some of the early photographs, I was lured into another room by some very familiar music. Isn’t that “Will O’ The Wisp” by Manuel de Falla…oh yes, from the album, “Sketches of Spain,” a masterwork from Miles Davis and the great arranger, Gil Evans, the focal point of which is a reworking of the adagio movement from the “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquin Rodrigo. This wasn’t your everyday jazz album, but as Miles put it, “It’s music, and I like it.”

That attitude served Miles Davis and music well, as the musician was constantly reaching for new sounds, ignoring barriers, both social and musical.

One part of the exhibit captured museum-goers in a kind of state of suspended animation. It was in the room that featured information and music from the recording, “Kind of Blue.”  This is the quintessential jazz album. It is also the best-selling jazz album of all time.  I’ve read countless articles and one entire book about the making of “Kind of Blue.” The extraordinary effect that this masterpiece has always had on listeners was once again on display, as one by one, folks stopped looking at the exhibit and just sat quietly, allowing the music to flow over them.

Another highlight was a film clip of Teo Macero, talking about producing Miles’s records. In all, Macero produced 99 Miles Davis recordings, including “Kind of Blue.” Their’s was a prolific if sometimes combative relationship.

Miles Davis was endlessly talented, outspoken and soft-spoken, often controversial and always interesting. He influenced not only jazz, but in tearing down musical boundaries, he helped to pave the way for all musicians who do not wish to be confined by musical parameters.

~Dianne Donovan is KMFA’s midday announcer and host/producer of Classical Austin. You can listen to a new episode of Classical Austin every Wednesday at 8pm, on KMFA-FM, 89.5.

Texas Choral Consort’s “Nature in Harmony”

~posted by Jules Brandon, KMFA announcer

photo: Robert Kelly

The Texas Choral Consort and their Artistic Director, Brent Baldwin, never cease to amaze me.  I had the privilege of attending their most recent concert entitled Nature in Harmony on August 13th at the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church.  Nowhere else in Texas can regular folks like you and me have the opportunity to sing in concert with a professional orchestra.  And Brent creates magic that dazzles with this marriage of music and voices.  You would never, ever guess that what you are hearing is an amateur and un-auditioned chorus.  That’s right, if you want to sing, they want you in their chorus! 

photo: Robert Kelly

They performed a beautiful mix of Vaughan Williams, Copland, and Thomspon as well as a piece by contemporary composer Nancy Bloomer Deussen.  If you missed it, you have plenty of  time to gear up for their next performance, The Sounding Joy. This is their holiday concert to be performed on December 11th, and this concert also marks the beginning of the their 2010-2011 season.  You can find all the details at http://www.txconsort.org/.
Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to begin your celebration of the holiday season!
~Jules Brandon is the host of KMFA’s Sunday Matinee. You can read more about KMFA hosts on our website.

See Brian Satterwhite at the Alamo Drafthouse

Are you a fan of KMFA’s weekly show, Film Score Focus? Have you always wanted to put a face to the voice of host/producer, Brian Satterwhite?

Well, this Sunday you can see him in person at the downtown Alamo Drafthouse! He’ll be introducing the screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, with special attention paid to the score composed by Bernard Herrmann. The Alamo website says, “Before the show, Brian will discuss the score, its history, construction and inspiration. You will truly come to understand how the pieces of film music fit together and how a score is constructed to convey drama, action and character. Then, when we watch the film, we can experience it not just as a film made by a master but as a great work of music as well.”

For more information about tickets and location, visit the Alamo Drafthouse website.

~posted by Alison @ KMFA 🙂

Having fun with Art in the Park at Symphony Square

~posted by Angelica Davila, KMFA programming intern

The Austin Symphony Orchestra’s Children’s Day Art Park is, quite simply, awesome. Held every Wednesday morning from June to July, the Art Park invites children and parents to enjoy some wholesome summer fun with music, arts and crafts, magicians, mimes and more. And for only 50 cents a kid, I think it’s much more than a bargain.

This past Wednesday—unfortunately the last session of the summer series—hundreds of kids piled into Symphony Square on Red River, ready for the fun to begin. Despite a few over-hanging rain clouds, the day started in the Square’s amphitheatre with some clowning around, a little magic, and a family-friendly performance by The Biscuit Brothers.

During these performances, a few colorful volunteers set up shop underneath a large red-and-white tent across the street. Markers, paint, balloons and chairs waited as The Brothers finished their set and the crowd moved from the theatre. The main event under the tent is face painting, but there are also coloring tables and arts and crafts areas, as well as a lemonade stand for just 10 cents a cup. And while you and your children are waiting in line (for that’s really the main event), you can enjoy a live brass band playing on a nearby porch or interact with one of the many clowns roaming through crowd. You can even get a photograph with that morning’s headliner—and I’m no sap, but seeing The Biscuit Brothers high-five a shy little 6-year-old is just adorable.

For the parents, the second half of the day could be a bit of a bummer—I mean, Mom and Dad aren’t waiting in a line for 20 minutes to get their face painted. But the whole park just radiates fun and energy because the kids are having the times of their lives. Even last week, when it was hot, humid and more than a little rainy, every child in the crowd was smiling and laughing. And though the festivities might be over for now, mark your calendars for next summer because the Art Park is fun, cheap and well worth the time.


~posted by Angelica Davila, KMFA summer Programming Intern (she also took all these great photos!)