Opera Manhattan Goes to Camp

On Monday, August 22, Opera Manhattan took its Magical Opera Trunk show to East Hampton to entertain the campers at East End Hospice's Camp Good Grief, a summer day camp for children who have experienced a loss. Here are some photos of the fun.

Baritone Nathan Fuhrman waxes poetic about
Don Giovanni's romantic history in "Madamina" 

Soprano Mary Langston sings "Summertime"
Saffron Chung on the keyboard

Junko Watanabe as Zerlina is appalled at
Don Giovanni's advances in "La ci darem la mano"

Mary Langston with new opera fans

FEATURED EMERGING ARTIST: JUNKO WATANABE

Opera Manhattan's renewed mission to support artists has led to the creation of this blog post in which an artist currently participating in the Artist Development Program will be highlighted.  Opera Manhattan is proud to be able to support them in monthly features and help them grow through unique opportunities not offered anywhere else.  This blog feature will be your chance to get an inside look at Opera Manhattan and get as excited as we are to help these talented young singers.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Junko Watanabe, Japanese soprano, has been thrilling audiences worldwide with her "Honey-strong voice" (The New Haven Register). On her debut of Cio-Cio-san in Madama Butterfly with Opera Theater of Connecticut in 2007, The Shore Arts wrote, "She was not pretending to be Butterfly. She became her right before your eyes and drew a sustained standing ovation...."

Last season Junko sang Mimi in OMRT's ground-breaking production of La Boheme. She has sung Liù in Turandot at Alice Tully Hall with New York Asian Symphony Orchestra, and also with Dicapo Opera Theatre. She has sung the title role in Madama Butterfly with Opera Theater of Connecticut (OTC) and also appeared with OTC in a Gala Concert at the Sanibel Music Festival. Awards include a Citation Award as an outstanding Artist from the Sate of New Jersey in 2010 and The Artist International Special Presentation Award in 2005, which led to her debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall.


Junko has also been an enthusiastic presenter of Japanese music with Koto, a traditional instrument, at churches, schools and in concert halls. She was selected to sing the Japansese national anthem at the Emperor's 77th Birthday celebration at Japan embassy.

Junko received her Master of Music and Professional Certificate from Manhattan School of Music.

FEATURED ALUMNUS: TYLER WAYNE SMITH

Opera Manhattan's renewed mission to support artists not only focuses on the ones who are currently participating in the Artist Development Program.  There are many who have steadily advanced their careers and Opera Manhattan is proud to be able to honor them in monthly features.
_________________________________________________________________________________

TWS as the Witch in OM's Hansel & Gretel

Countertenor Tyler Wayner Smith is known to Opera Manhattan audiences as Tolomeo in Giulio Gesare, the Witch in Hansel and Gretel and the Sorceres in Dido and Aeneas ("utterly fantastic" according to ReviewFix.com).

He will soon make his Broadway debut as Mary Sunshine in Chicago, the Musical, after a stint in the National Tour. Of his tour performance, Chicago Theater Beat reported "And, memorably, T.W. Smith's toxic depiction of a sob-sister reporter is as deceptive as her crime stories." and This Week in Texas Magazine said "Wichita Falls native T.W. Smith plays Mary Sunshine, and he, yes he, does an amazing job in this female role. He has many operatic credits under that dress, and was great fun to watch."

Tyler sang La tasse chinoise and La libellule in Pocket Opera New York's production of L'enfant et les sortileges. He was featured in a leading role in the North American Premiere of the German Opera 3x3=Infinity in Boston, MA, with Juventas New Music Ensemble, and he also sang Ruggiero in Handel's Alcina with NY Opera Forum at Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Auditorium. Tyler performed the title role in Opera Breve New York's production of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice under the direction of renowned mezzo-soprano Eugenie Grunewald, and sang Sesto in Camerata Baroque's premiere production of Handel's Giulio Cesare.

Tyler was educated at New York University, one of the premiere drama schools in the U.S., and has studied voice with several disciples of revolutionary vocal pedagogue Cornelius Reid, including his current teacher, Lenora Eve. 

Brand New Season, Brand New Company

Greetings Opera-Lovers everywhere!

Opera Manhattan has recently gone through a major over-haul to the structure of the company, the mission and vision of where the company fits into this crazy world of witches and cowboys, gods and water nymphs, humans and mythical serpents.  I am excited to report that we have returned to our original mission in this enchanted world -- development of the entrepreneurial-minded artist.  Simply put, Opera Manhattan is returning to its roots.

You might say that  many companies already cater to young and emerging artists through YAP's (Young Artist Programs).  That is true.  Yet, there seems to be a black hole into which artists fall between their education and the career for which they are expected to be prepared.  They receive little or no on-stage experience singing full roles.

Additionally, YAP's typically have age limits and do not help worthy singers grow into a career that for some artists might not start until their late 30's.  One day 10 years down the road, these young artists are expected to step out onto a big stage and be able to perform an opera with larger-than-life characters and be great.  Yet, how do they do this if they never get the opportunity to grow as an artist ON THE STAGE?

That is where Opera Manhattan comes in!  Identifying talented emerging artists and giving them a home where they can: cultivate the roles they will become known for in the future; research and develop these amazingly dramatic characters; learn marketing, taxes, networking, entrepreneurship and assertive communication; and simply grow through self-exploration.  These are the simple things artists so desperately need to learn and develop, yet never seem to learn in a traditional YAP or educational setting.

Opera Manhattan -- A Company for Artists by Artists -- is returning to its roots!  It will be the company for artists that are local, organic, home-grown American talent.

Join our campaign and help us to support them!

Thank you,

V.W. Smith
Executive Director