April 02, 2020
Lyric Family Favorites: July 3
As we head into a much-needed holiday weekend, we’re determined to find some brightness and hope in a challenging time (beyond the Fourth of July fireworks). Perhaps we can take some inspiration from feisty Rosina, who swears to win at love in “Una voce poco fa” from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.
If you’re familiar with this famous aria, maybe you’ve wondered about the rapid, floral type of singing found here, known as “coloratura.” Learn more about this style in a Lyric interview, then read up on a rising opera star and Ryan Opera Center alumna, J’Nai Bridges, who has faced enormous challenges during the pandemic.
Marianne Crebassa sings the famous aria
"Una voce poco fa"
Watch mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa take on the notoriously difficult aria in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, a beautiful example of coloratura singing. In this scene, Rosina has just heard a voice serenading her; it was her love, Lindoro, and she swears she will win his affection.
Vito Priante, Lawrence Brownlee, and Isabel Lenard in Lyric's 2015/16 Season production of Cinderella.
Vito Priante, Lawrence Brownlee, and Isabel Leonard in Lyric's 2015/16 Season production of Cinderella
The joys and challenges of coloratura singing
What is coloratura singing and what makes it distinctive? Lyric’s Dramaturg Roger Pines interviews soprano Isabel Leonard, tenor Lawrence Brownlee, and baritone Vito Priante on the joys and challenges of this florid and virtuosic style of performance.
The joys and challenges of coloratura singing
"There's a right way and a wrong way" says Isabel Leonard, "but when it is right, it's just fun."
Roger Pines, Isabel Leonard, Lawrence Brownlee & Vito Priante
The challenges of being an opera star during a pandemic
A Met Opera Star Was Born, “Then Everything Stopped”
Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, an alumna of the Ryan Opera Center, recently made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Nefertiti in Phillip Glass’s Akhnaten, then immediately found herself out of work due to the pandemic. Learn more about the challenges facing Bridges and countless other artists in this New York Times feature, and get excited to see her perform in our virtual Ryan Opera Center concert with Lawrence Brownlee and other special guests, on July 26!
Watch on PBS or stream on Facebook
A Capitol Fourth with Renée Fleming
On Saturday, July 4th, at 7pm CT, watch a star-studded concert and fireworks display hosted by John Stamos and Vanessa Williams and featuring performances by Renée Fleming, Patti LaBelle, The Temptations, and more!
Music is the shorthand of emotion.
Leo Tolstoy