Editorial by Wah Keung Chan
/ March 18, 2011
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Last Valentine’s Day,
La Scena Musicale helped spread romantic cheer through our first
Singing Valentines fundraiser. Seven singers, including members of the
Atelier Lyrique of the Opéra de Montréal, mezzos Aidan Fergerson and
Emma Parkinson and baritones Philip Kalmanovitch and Pierre Rancourt—who
took time out of their busy rehearsal for this month’s production
of Menotti’s The Consul—mezzo Rebecca Harvey, baritone Jeremy
Carver-James and yours truly, serenaded 25 valentines over the phone.
Thanks again to our volunteer singers (see the ad on page 14 and visit
their websites).
The most popular
request was Saint-Saëns’s “Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix,” followed
by “My Funny Valentine.” Other songs offered included “L’invitation
au voyage,” “Morgen” and “Che gelida manina.” Helping make
the day for the valentines was the reward, as the singers from the Atelier
Lyrique reported, showing again what live music can do. The idea was
inspired by my many years of phoning birthday greetings to friends and
family, and the surprise and thrilled reaction it got. Based on the
positive feedback, we plan to offer birthday greetings as well as greetings
for Mother’s Day. To order a song or to be volunteer singer, please
email donation@lascena.org.
In celebration
of International Women's History Month, this issue shines a spotlight
on women in music: on the cover, we feature Canadian soprano Shannon
Mercer; our jazz section is devoted to the newest from great female
jazz musicians; our monthly Discovery CD (free to subscribers, courtesy
XXI Records) presents the recordings of violinist Anne Robert, one third
of the Trio Hochelaga; and as homage to one of the most controversial
female characters in opera, we offer a musicological survey of some
of the most innovative and beloved renditions of Salome, which
will be staged by the Opéra de Montréal on the 19th. An
intro to the Fach system of vocal classification will enlighten readers
about the inner workings of the opera world. In our ‘musical cities’
feature, we focus on Vancouver and hear what Maestro Bramwell Tovey
of the Vancouver Symphony has to say about his adopted city's musical
culture and trends.
Our 14th
annual summer camp guide will feature an extensive list of music and
arts camps, helping parents make summer plans for their musical child.
Live music is in abundance this month—our regional calendar is one
of the largest of the year with 586 listings (also searchable online
at scena.org). We’ve also updated our list of radio shows dedicated
to classical music. And there's plenty more!
Have a great musical
March!
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