Studio Class - Episodes Tagged with “Opera”

Episode 117: Masterclass - Bryan Register

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0500

American tenor, Bryan Register, has received great critical acclaim for his portrayal of roles including Tristan, Lohengrin and Enée, and has performed in many of the most prestigious theatres in Europe including, the Bavarian State Opera, the Semperoper Dresden, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, The Opéra Bastille and La Monnaie.

In the 2022/23 season he sang Verdi’s Otello with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Marco Boemi, and returned to the roles of Florestan in Fidelio at the Nationale Reisopera in the Netherlands, as well as Tristan in the new production at Cottbus State Theater and in a concert performance with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Xalapa in Mexico.

Also in the upcoming season 2023/24, he will be singing the male titular lead in Tristan und Isolde, this time at the Aalto Theater in Essen. Amongst others, he will also appear as Parsifal with the Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España under the baton of David Afkham and as Erik in Der Fliegende Holländer at Pittsburgh Opera.

My gratitude goes out to Hannah Boissonneault who edits our Masterclass episodes and to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

You can help support the creation of these episodes when you join the Sybaritic Camerata on Patreon. Get started at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Be on the Studio Class Podcast
Megan Ihnen is a professional mezzo-soprano, teacher, writer, and arts entrepreneur who is passionate about helping other musicians and creative professionals live their best lives. Studio Class is an outgrowth of her popular #29DaystoDiva series from The Sybaritic Singer. Let your emerging professionals be part of the podcast! Invite Megan to your studio class for a taping of an episode. Your students ask questions and informative, fun conversation ensues.

Special Guest: Bryan Register.

Episode 98: Masterclass - Whitney George

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 15 May 2023 11:00:00 -0500

Whitney George’s music traverses the affective terrain between tragedy and ecstasy, fragility and strength, bringing together romantically delicate intimacy and the spectacular darkness of the macabre. Haunted by ghosts and/of love, George’s operas, staged multimedia works, and chamber music coloristically explore the mysteries of irrationality, nightmare, and memory, sonically seeking lost objects and hidden subjects. Given George’s theatrical inclinations and preoccupation with the tragic, she has turned again and again to opera as both a composer and conductor. Recently, George has been awarded a number of operatic commissions, premieres, and recognition: in 2017; the Elebash Award for her orchestration of Gideon’s opera Fortunato, which premiered under George’s baton in May 2019. In the same year; the commission of the two-act opera Princess Maleine by dell'Arte and the video opera Julie by New Camerata which was publicly released in 2020. This 2023 season, Fresh Squeezed commissions Fizz & Ginger, an immersive jazz experience, and the second operatic endeavor with libretitst Bea Goodwin. George is the artistic director and conductor of The Curiosity Cabinet, a chamber orchestra formed in 2009. She holds degrees from the California Institute of the Arts (2008), Brooklyn College (2010), and the CUNY Graduate Center (2021).

My gratitude goes out to Hannah Boissonneault who edits our Masterclass episodes and to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

You can help support the creation of these episodes when you join the Sybaritic Camerata on Patreon. Get started at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Special Guest: Whitney George.

Episode 97: Masterclass - Jenni Bank

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 08 May 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Jenni Bank was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, grew up in Binghamton, New York, & studied at Peabody Conservatory. She has worked with Seattle Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Chicago Lyric Opera, New York City Opera, Anchorage Opera, Opera Delaware, Des Moines Metro Opera, Florentine Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, Knoxville Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Bard Summer Music Festival, Ash Lawn Opera, Amarillo Opera, Baltimore Concert Opera, Annapolis Opera, Mid-America Productions at Carnegie Hall, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester, Seoul Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, & the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Performances include Marcellina (Marriage of Figaro), Samira (Ghosts of Versailles), Mrs. De Rocher (Dead Man Walking), The Mother (The Consul), 3rd Lady (Magic Flute), Ruth (Pirates of Penzance), Buttercup (H.M.S. Pinafore), Mrs. Twist (Brokeback Mountain), Emilia (Otello), Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Mary (Flying Dutchman), Old Lady (Candide), Mrs. Peachum (Threepenny Opera), Golde (Fiddler on the Roof), Azucena (Il Trovatore), Witch (Hänsel und Gretel), Quickly (Falstaff), Dryad (Ariadne auf Naxos), Frugola (Il Tabarro), Principessa (Suor Angelica), Zita (Gianni Schicchi), Martha (Faust), Giulietta (Hoffmann), Marquise (Daughter of the Regiment), Petra (A Little Night Music), Fairy Queen (Iolanthe), Katisha (The Mikado), Filipyevna (Eugene Onegin), Verdi Requiem, Mozart Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, & Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. She is the leading interpreter of the Duchess in Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland, created the role of Firdaus Noman in Shalimar The Clown & is featured on the Cast Recording, won the Sullivan Foundation Award, is a Metropolitan Opera Competition semi-finalist, & is the Artistic Advisor for Tri-Cities Opera. Jenni is also the Analysis Operations Team Lead at the fast-growing tech startup DoWhatWorks and lives in Upstate New York with her husband and two adorable dogs (@theharleyandeo on instagram).

Find Jenni at www.JenniBank.com & @jenni_bank

My gratitude goes out to Hannah Boissonneault who edits our Masterclass episodes and to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

You can help support the creation of these episodes when you join the Sybaritic Camerata on Patreon. Get started at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Special Guest: Jenni Bank.

Episode 64: Masterclass - Laura Strickling

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0600

Grammy™ nominated soprano Laura Strickling was praised by The New York Times for her, “flexible voice, crystalline diction, and warm presence.” Celebrated for her work on the concert and recital stage, she has performed at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, National Sawdust, Trinity Church on Wall Street, Washington National Cathedral, Tanglewood Music Festival, Ravinia Music Festival, and so, so many more! A specialist in new music, she has collaborated with composers Libby Larsen, Tom Cipullo, James Matheson, Juliana Hall, John Musto, Reinaldo Moya, and Glen Roven. Her upcoming commissioning initiative – The 40@40 Project – will bring to life 40 songs by 40 composers. Find out more about her at https://www.laurastrickling.com/

Do you like these Masterclass episodes? You'll probably like the 29 Days to Diva series on The Sybaritic Singer too. Check it out here: https://sybariticsinger.com/category/29-days-to-diva/

A big thank you to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

Join the Sybaritic Camerata and support the creation of all things Studio Class at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Special Guest: Laura Strickling.

Episode 46: Masterclass - Susan Eichhorn Young

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0500

Susan Eichhorn Young is a Canadian soprano, actress, voice-over artist, voice teacher, and writer. Her website reads, "all things voice" and that is the truth!! It is a pleasure to welcome her as a guest for this masterclass episode where we cover Susan's feelings about "finding the singer" rather than making them "fit a mold"; how she focuses on the psyche of the artist; and how to recalibrate when your path goes a different direction than you thought it would. Susan drops so many pearls of wisdom. Don't wait to listen!

My sincere gratitude goes to Josh, Sarah, and Chris for supporting the creation of this episode through their membership in the Sybaritic Camerata's Listening Circle!

Ever wish you could ask our Masterclass episode guests a question? Here's your chance. As a Masterclass Scholar, you're invited to the recording of the Masterclass episode and you get to ask your questions during the exclusive Q&A afterwards. Get started at Patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

A big thank you to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

Special Guest: Susan Eichhorn Young.

Episode 44: Masterclass - Jillian Flexner

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 17:00:00 -0500

Composer, producer, and development professional, Jillian Flexner refuses to be labeled as one thing and that's exactly why I wanted her to join us for a Masterclass episode on Studio Class. Jillian Flexner is a composer, new music activist, and bassoonist. Originally from North Carolina, Jillian grew up around a diverse culture of music. In 2013, Jillian co-founded the Fresh Squeezed Opera Company, a group that continues its passion to present new operas today. Jillian received her Master’s in Business Administration from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College in 2016, and now works in Development with the Rubin Museum of Himalayan and Buddhist Art. Jillian’s music has been presented all over the United States and has been performed by many ensembles. Find out more at https://www.jillianflexner.com/.

A big thank you to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

Special Guest: Jillian Flexner.

Episode 40: Masterclass - Raehann Bryce-Davis

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0600

Hailed by the New York Times as a "striking mezzo soprano" and by the San Francisco Chronicle for her "electrifying sense of fearlessness," Raehann Bryce-Davis opens the 2019/20 season singing Verdi’s Requiem with conductor Kent Nagano and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal at the Olympic Stadium. She then returns to Opera Vlaanderen for her role debut as Eboli in Verdi’s Don Carlos and makes her LA Opera debut in the World Premiere of Aucoin and Ruhl’s Eurydice, a coproduction with The Metropolitan Opera, and sings Sara in Roberto Devereux opposite Angela Meade and Ramon Vargas. Further performances of the season include: Unknown, I Live With You at the Kurt Weill Festival Dessau, A Nation of Others at Carnegie Hall with the Oratorio Society New York, Nathaniel Dett’s The Ordering of Moses with the Harlem Chamber Players, Mendelssohn's Elijah with St. George’s Choral Society, and a recital series for the Art Song Preservation Society in New York with pianist Mark Markham. Last season she made her role debuts as Leonor in Donizetti’s La Favorite at the Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Marguerite in Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust conducted by Maestro John Nelson with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica, Ms. Alexander in Satyagraha at Opera Vlaanderen, Kristina in The Makropulos Affair at the Janáček Brno Festival, Verdi's Requiem with the Oratorio Society of New York at Carnegie Hall, Martinů’s Julietta with the American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.

Find out more about Raehann Bryce-Davis at http://www.raehann.com/

Do you like these masterclass episodes? You'll probably like the 29 Days to Diva series on The Sybaritic Singer too. Check it out here: https://sybariticsinger.com/category/29-days-to-diva/

A big thank you to Juanitos for the music featured in this episode.

Special Guest: Raehann Bryce-Davis.

Episode 38: Masterclass - Sharin Apostolou MacPherson & Ryan MacPherson

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 11:30:00 -0600

It's true! The #KiltedOlive couple is here for a Studio Class Masterclass. Soprano Sharin Apostolou MacPherson and tenor Ryan MacPherson talk about building musical interpretive power, knowing when it's time to leave professional singing, and what's keeping them hopeful right now.

Watch Front Porch Series presents an Evening with Charlottesville Opera featuring Ryan and Sharin: https://youtu.be/Ediwk0hWtXk

Get tickets for Urban Arias' "The Roost" (part of Decameron Opera Coalition’s "Tales From a Safe Distance") here: http://www.urbanarias.org/performances/the-decameron-coalition/

Do you like these masterclass episodes? You'll probably like the 29 Days to Diva series on The Sybaritic Singer too. Check it out here: https://sybariticsinger.com/category/29-days-to-diva/

A big thank you to Juanitos for the music featured in this episode.

Special Guest: Sharin Apostolou MacPherson & Ryan MacPherson.

Episode 20: Outcomes, Not (Mindless) Activities

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 13 May 2018 07:00:00 -0500

“Make Success Measurable enables you to avoid activity-based goals that can go on indefinitely, and articulate aggressive outcome-based goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.” “This is a how-to book, emphasizing outcomes as opposed to actions in setting goals.”

Get the book: ```
Make Success Measurable!: A Mindbook-Workbook for Setting Goals and Taking Action


Haven't read "BURNOUT IS A B****. LET’S AVOID IT."? Check it out: https://nmbx.newmusicusa.org/burnout-is-a-b-lets-avoid-it/

Find me online:
[@mezzoihnen](http://www.twitter.com/mezzoihnen)
[The Sybaritic Singer](http://www.sybariticsinger.com) & [Blog](http://www.sybariticsinger.com/blog)

Episode 19: Everyone Performs

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 06 May 2018 07:00:00 -0500

Examining the role of the audience in the creative process, emphasizing its creative role, and how much the "receiver" brings to the process of communication and the implication this has for practice.

"Everyone, performer and audience, plays a creative role. Everyone 'performs'."

Sources:
Managing Creativity: Exploring the Paradox edited by Barbara Townley and Nic Beech
Creative Industries: Contracts Between Art and Commerce by Richard E. Caves

Connect with Megan online:
The Sybaritic Singer
@mezzoihnen

Episode 18: Get a lay of the land

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 07:00:00 -0500

Divas, would you like to see me in your hometown? I’m putting together a tour of residencies and workshops for schools and institutions. I’d love to visit yours and do some of this work together in real life. It’s easy to get a hold of me, just head on over to http://sybariticsinger.com/services/ and fill in the contact form.

Episode 17: How To Change The World Through Classical Music - Part II

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 10:00:00 -0500

Join me for the second part of our “Change the World” music project episode!
In our last episode we started discussing:
1) How can music influence the body to support fitness and rehabilitation?
2) How can music motivate the mind to promote academic achievement?

In this episode we will be going over some questions including:
1) How can music reflect the psyche to improve mental health?
2) How can music foster intimacy to strengthen relationships?
3) How can music enhance connectedness to support communities?

Show Notes:

Garrison Keillor - "Good Poems and Good Poems for Hard Times” https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/garrison-keillor
Twyla Tharp’s “The Creative Habit” http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Creative-Habit/Twyla-Tharp/9780743235273
Voice of Calvary Ministries in Jackson, MS http://vocm.org/volunteer-opportunities/
Urban Servant Corps in Denver, CO. http://www.urbanservantcorps.org/
Single Words She Once Loved Recital - Megan Ihnen - https://www.facebook.com/events/1731284407149648
Theaster Gates - http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/theaster-gates-ingenuity-awards-chicago-180957203/#UkWBeOBJ5cpShR5v.99
Theaster Gates videos: https://www.google.com/search?q=theaster+gates&source=lnms&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjji_fEs_XVAhVD1oMKHeQlCgIQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1157&bih=736

SybariticSinger.com
SybariticSinger.com/services

Episode 16: How To Change The World Through Classical Music

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 10:00:00 -0500

Yes. It’s a hefty topic. With the world events going on at the moment, I have had this nagging feeling that I need to devote some of my attention to how my art can be a force for good. Divas, not only do I want to help you make it rain in your business but I want to help you change the world while you’re at it.

This episode covers:
1) The motivation behind our "Change the World" music projects.
2) How to identify passions, pain-points, and purpose.
3) How can music influence the body to support fitness and rehabilitation?
4) How can music motivate the mind to promote academic achievement?

Show Notes:

Olafur Eliasson | World Economic Forum “Why art has the power to change the world.” | https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/why-art-has-the-power-to-change-the-world/
Elevator pitch formula: “I’m a ______ (profession) who is passionate about _______ (things you’re into.) My mission is to _______ (how you’re changing the game) by _______ (secret weapon.)”
Katrina Skewes McFerran, Professor at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music | “How Music Can Change Your Life” | https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/why-art-has-the-power-to-change-the-world/
Florence Cohen | American Music Therapy Association | https://www.musictherapy.org/about/personal_stories/
ArtForceIowa | http://www.artforceiowa.org/

Episode 15: What Are Your Diva Metrics?

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 10:00:00 -0500

As Annie Dillard wrote in her incredible book The Writing Life, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour and with that one, is what we are doing.”

In this episode we go over:

My 10 Minute Meeting Formula
My Master List of Micro-Actions
My Singer Goals (Model Tasks) List ... and more!

Are you signed up for my email newsletter? Check it out at bit.ly/DivaSidekick

Episode 14: Brand Yourself - Personal Branding for Divas

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 10:00:00 -0500

Personal branding is the practice of people marketing themselves and their careers as brands -- the ongoing process of establishing a prescribed image or impression in the mind of others about an individual.

In this episode, we'll go over the "Branding in 7 Words" exercise, some basic questions you can ask yourself to better identify your own brand, and crafting your elevator pitch.

Thanks to Juanitos for the music featured in this episode.

Show notes:
Being Boss Podcast - https://beingboss.club/podcast/podcast-episode-10-personal-branding
Artists U - http://www.artistsu.org/

Episode 11: Goal Setting for Your Diva Life

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 15:00:00 -0500

This is a shorter podcast episode but you should plan to take time by yourself to complete the exercise after listening. This is a 15-25 minute activity - without taking time here you can go to as many business of music classes as your heart desires but you won’t learn a darn thing.

Who's ready to discuss seemingly impossible goals?!

Episode 9: Your Practice Plan

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 10:00:00 -0600

What's the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation when it comes to singing?

How can we use the ritual of setting intentions before our practice sessions to have more agency in our development as singers?

In this episode, I outline 12 points of my practice plan plus a few bonus memorization techniques.

Hope you enjoyed this plan - now, it’s your turn to tell me your favorite techniques

Episode 8: Kicking Perfectionism to the Curb

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 10:00:00 -0600

The praise and recognition of your talents are not achieved by deception, a congenial personality, or simple good luck. Divas, for our Studio Class assignment for this week, I want to you to prepare yourself for success.

Show Notes:
Great Pretenders: People Who Feel Their Success Is Undeserved by Birgit Spinath (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/great-pretenders/)
Sybaritic Singer - sybariticsinger.com/blog

Episode 7: The Post-Show Schmooze

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 10:00:00 -0600

Greet the audience members with warmth and appreciation. These people took the time and effort to attend your concert. Be gracious. Remember >> This is not a time to analyze your performance nor dismiss their congratulations for you. Accept their compliments with a simple “thank-you” or “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Thank them for coming!

Show Notes:
29 Days to Diva is in full swing: sybariticsinger.com/blog
29 Days to Diva: The Course: bit.ly/29daystodiva

Erica Sipes - Beyond The Notes: http://ericaannsipes.blogspot.com/2009/12/follow-up-thought-about-greeting.html
Sugar Vendil - Nouveau Classical Project: sugarvendil.com

Come say "hi" to me over on Twitter - I'm @mezzoihnen.

Episode 2: Wobble & Be Brave

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 10:00:00 -0600

The avoidance of what we fear, however, is exactly the same. Human beings fear rejection. Biologically wired with a longing to belong, we fear being seen in a critical way. We will actively avoid situations in which we feel the potential to be rejected.

Not singers, though. No, no, musicians pursue those opportunities. Divas put themselves out on a limb constantly. They open themselves up to feedback and constructive criticism from teachers, coaches, mentors, adjudicators, and audiences. They understand they will hear “no” more often than “yes.” But, it’s that dogged persistence in the face of rejection that makes the “yes” so much sweeter.

Show Notes:
29 Days to Diva: The Course = bit.ly/29daystodiva
Carol Kirkpatrick's "Aria Ready, The Business of Singing 2ND EDITION!" = http://a.co/8Y4OftN
Unfilth Your Habitat = https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unfilth-your-habitat/id542909191?mt=8

Thanks for listening to Studio Class. Please leave us a review on iTunes.

Episode 1: What's a Diva Audit?

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 10:00:00 -0600

It is the first day of January and you may be realizing that things are often easier said than done. In that first blush of 2016, many of us made those hastily scribbled lists of things that we would certainly accomplish this time around. Now, you may, or may not, have stuck to your New Years’ resolutions like a tenor to a mirror but something tells me that while the gym is getting a little more crowded - you haven’t been spending quite as much time in your practice room as you thought at the beginning of last year..

With that in mind, I’m starting Studio Class. We certainly support taking care of all of your resolutions, but together we’ll be focusing on your arts-career related goals.

Show Notes:
Diva Audit = bit.ly/diva-audit
29 Days to Diva: The Course = bit.ly/29daystodiva
Money: A Love Story by Kate Northrup = http://katenorthrup.com/book/