Music For Mankind®: La Torreador

Recently I was invited to be part of a surprise performance with artists from the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann's Young Artists Development Program. The concert took place last Thursday evening, August 18, 2011 at the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, Vermont. This was the final 2011 summer concert for the Manchester Music Festival, and featured Layla Claire, Soprano; Renée Tatum, Mezzo Soprano; Andrew Bidlak, Tenor; Edward Parks, Baritone; and Caren Levine, Piano.

A delightful and full two-hour concert, the audience was rockin' throughout, thoroughly enjoying the vocal and piano pyrotechnics, sweet melencholy and emotional pieces, and huge dynamic range of music, vocal and instrumental ability of all.

The last piece was "Votre toast, je peux le rendre", the famous "Torreador" from the George Bizet opera "Carmen" featuring Edward Parks, Baritone. He delivered the popular and famous song in rich and full voice. The surprise that we had in store was that, when the song arrived at the choral section, about twenty or so of us jumped up from our seats, the house lights came up, and we sang the chorus in full SATB! The audience was absolutely delighted. Then, as Mr. Parks sang the next segment, all of us choral folks walked through the audience welcoming and sharing such a delightful moment together. As Mr. Parks sang his second chorus section, we "wandered" up to stand in front of the stage and join in on the final chorus and coda.

Of course we were totally thrilled to be singing with artists from "The Met" and applauded them vigorously. And they graciously and enthusiastically applauded our efforts as well. We all of us completely enjoyed the opportunity and fun of singing together. And we rocked the house! What a treat!

It's only mid-August, and already this year I've been in my first opera, Mozart's "The Magic Flute", performed in the powerful and emotionally wrenching musical "Miss Saigon", sang with artists from The Met, been performing my own concert series "Give My Regards To Broadway" all around New England, and have sung our National Anthem at four baseball games. And the fun doesn't stop there.

I will be returning to Burlington, Vermont to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" on Sunday August 28 for the Vermont Lake Monsters, and again on Wednesday August 31 in Lowell, MA for the Lowell Spinners, the Single A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox! I am thrilled to once again honor our country with this great song.

And each time I perform, whether it's a Music For Mankind® event or not, I hold a thought close to my heart of those less fortunate and hope that somehow my small efforts can help them in their struggles to create their own lives in peace and fulfillment.

Yet what I do can only succeed because of all of you who help me in my continuing efforts. Please know how grateful I am to you for your support.

I hope to see you at a concert, game or other event soon.