Going out with (verismo) style!

To finish a brilliant season, the Lisbon Opera House—soloists, orchestra and choir—will present Mascagni's famous one-act opera "Cavalleria Rusticana", the first verismo opera, dating from 1890, tonight and tomorrow at 9:30pm. Verismo basically means that there are no ten-minute arias sung while someone dies; if you die, you die FAST! The performances will surely be extra true-to-life as they are part of the July Festival outdoors on the square in front of the Opera House—very picturesque, as well as occasionally windy and noisy—near the Chiado area (see photo below), tuk-tuks and all.

Along with well-known, wonderful Portuguese singers, the production features a fellow American-Expat, Mary Elizabeth Williams, singing the role of Santuzza with both astounding power and subtlety—such an inspiration!

For those preferring creature comforts, Saturday's performance will be broadcast live on Portuguese TV—either way, enjoy!

Tuk-tuks at the top of Chiado, near the Lisbon Opera House

Aldo Baerten to perform and teach at the Summer Flute Academy

We are delighted to welcome the Belgian Flutist Aldo Baerton to the 4th Summer Flute Academy (AFV). Aldo is Principal Flute of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, and Professor at the Conservatories in Antwerp and Utrecht. As a Powell Artist, he comes to Porto through the sponsorship of Powell Flutes, USA—thank you, Boston! 

Along with a master class for AFV participants, he'll be presenting an exciting recital accompanied by Jon Ayerst of REMIX ENSEMBLE, joining us for our teacher's opening recital, and making his first proper visit to Porto and Portugal. Bemvindo, Aldo, and thank you so much for joining us! (Time to break out a decent bottle of wine!). His classes are filled, but auditors may of course attend—Tuesday and Wednesday morning, July 26 and 27.

Aldo Baerton, flutist

Summer Flute Academy - almost time!

Next Monday, already, the 4th Summer Flute Academy (Academia de Flauta de Verão) will start up, and it's going to be the best, ever! We'll all be busy playing for 6 intense days, with workshops and ensemble playing and so much else I can barely remember it all. This year for the first time, we'll have the added excitement of a master class and recital by the wonderful Belgian flutist Aldo Baerten, courtesy of Powell Flutes, who we thank very much. More about Aldo soon! 

Just two things I want to say about the AFV: there is still time to sign up as a auditor on the AFV website! Secondly, what an honor it is to work in tandem with my wonderful colleagues Stephanie Wagner (REMIX ENSEMBLE) and Raquel Lima (ESMAE). Along with being fabulous flutists, who are always pushing the envelope (or several!), they are THE BEST collaborators ever! We've been working behind the scenes all year, so come over and see what's up! Here's a happy photo from last year's edition:

Professors Raquel Lima and Stephanie Wagner, Ana Sofia Domingues, and myself—3rd AFV, 2015

Lisbon abuzz!

There is so much going on right now, it's simply insane! July is filled with music here in Lisbon, with the fantastic Festival held nearly every night on the square in front of the Lisbon Opera House, off of Chiado, the chicest street in Lisbon. The Orchestra Sinfónica Portuguesa has already performed three different programs, two of which were live on TV (smile!). Everyone loves the "urban arena" created by the beautiful 18th century buildings and the energy of the rapt crowd, many of whom stand through the entire program. Classical music dead? Don't think so! Here are two photos of the setting a couple hours before showtime Sunday—within an hour, every chair and standing place would be occupied. The program was versions of Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky, Gounod, and Prokofiev, with outstanding singing by the young soloists: Christiana Oliveira, soprano and Airam Hernández, tenor, in the Gounod.