Upcoming LectureJune 2, 2020 Plagiarism or Homage?As we delve into lesser-known operas and songs, we're often startled to find a phrase we know from Carmen, La traviata, or L'elisir d'amore. Today a songwriter's agent would call in the lawyers. What does it mean that the 19th century saw things so differently?
June 9, 2020 Wagner's Hymn to NormalcyDie Meistersinger von Nürnberg stands out among Wagner's major operas: The only one that is historical rather than mythical, the only one without supernatural elements, the only comedy. (And the only comedy in all operatic history whose last act is best.)
June 16, 2020 A Perfect OperaThe 21st century is so rich in revivals of little-known Bel Canto masterpieces that we can sometimes take Lucia di Lammermoor almost for granted - but in fact it has as strong a claim as any to be considered a flawless example of music-drama.
June 23, 2020 Forgotten Greats, Season TwoSince so many members mentioned enjoying the first installment on this topic: Artists who for one reason or another did not find major careers, but left enough souvenirs to show that they deserved them.
June 30, 2020 Maestro VaccaiNicola Vaccai (1790-1848) was only moderately successful as an opera composer in the Age of Rossini - but he had one hit that would have made him a multi-millionaire if international copyright laws had existed in 1832. His bright idea: distilling the main skills of Bel Canto into 22 catchy little ariettas, lasting less than a minute each, for the vast amateur market.
Recent LectureMay 19, 2020 Song BirdsIt's the long line of "song-birds" (a.k.a. coloratura sopranos) that have kept Bel Canto popular even in the days when it was out of fashion among opinion-leaders. From Nellie Melba and Luisa Tetrazzini (who had dishes named after them), down through Sills and Sutherland, and finally a couple of the brightest lights on the current scene. There's an element of sheer athletic fun here, and some of the most delightful and surprising records ever made come from these vocal nightingales.
May 12, 2020 The Two MélisandesAmong the most curious stories in all of opera: not one but two natives of the British Isles won the hearts of the Parisian public in Debussy's controversial masterpiece when it was new. The first was Mary Garden, who went on to run the Chicago Opera, star in silent movies, and serve as a talent scout for Hollywood in the golden days of the 1930s. The second was Maggie Tate (she changed it to Teyte so that the French would pronounce it correctly), who ranged from West End musicals to the modern French mélodie. Both were mavericks, to say the least, and both left a wealth of delicious recordings.
May 5, 2020 Cinco de MayoMexico in music’s history and music in Mexico’s - with some beautiful surprises and super-rare recordings.
April 28, 2020 Forgotten GreatsAgain the original topic should wait for performances. Instead: a handful of truly great singers who, for extra musical reasons, have never become "household names." The reasons vary - geographical isolation, premature demise, neglect by record companies, career change - or in two cases, marriage (one happy, one not). But the voices are worth remembering alongside the legendary celebrities.
April 21, 2020 The Art of AccompanimentToday, top pianists routinely take a turn at song recitals (Kissin with Renee Fleming; Thibaudet with Gerald Finley, just to name a few from this season). The unlikely career of Gerald Moore (1899-1987) paved their way.
April 14, 2020 Special discussion sectionWho knows what the fast-changing Covid-19 situation will be by April 14? But meanwhile, the conflict that would have kept me away has been canceled, and there will be a lot to discuss about how the arts world is affected, the different responses that have emerged and will keep emerging, and....what, if anything, each of us can do!
April 7, 2020 Looking at Singing (New Vistas)The original topic should wait for the next time we have performances to anticipate. So instead I will take advantage of the way we can share visual elements in our "remote" classes, and show you some of the new ways technology (especially spectrography) can help us understand the human voice. It's been fascinating and fun to discover - and oddly beautiful to "see" great vocalism in action.
March 31, 2020 Beethoven: The First Quarter-MillenniumHere we are at another anniversary year, with sonata, symphony, and quartet cycles in progress every week. No composer so embodies the concept of good music as moral uplift. Has that become a burden? Is Ludwig holding up or rolling over?
March 24, 2020 The Wearing of the GreenOne week past St. Patrick’s Day, a celebration of Irish singers - especially Irish tenors - especially the greatest of them all, Count John McCormack.
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About Will's online lectures
Every Sunday before a Tuesday class, an e-mail invitation with a link to the upcoming lecture will be sent to all Members and Friends of the class. If we have already received your tuition for the semester, you will be invited as a "subscriber," meaning you don't have to pay to get in. All others will receive a simple invitation, and will be asked to "pay and register" at the single-admission rate when accessing the webinar.
To register for the entire series, please send your tuition of $500 in any of the following ways:
1) Mailing a check (Will Crutchfield, 820 West End Ave. 9F, NYC, NY10025)
2) Using any of the following payment methods, with WillCrutchfieldAssistant@gmail.com as the payee:
PayPal
Venmo
Zelle (through your online banking)
If you receive an invitation that does not say "subscriber," but think you have already paid for the series, please write to WillCrutchfieldAssistant@gmail.com immediately at the address above.
If you need more detailed log-in instructions, this link will take you to Zoom's own explanation
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115004954946-Joining-and-participating-in-a-webinar-attendee-
If you have trouble logging in during class session, please call class assistant at 646-363-6638 for help.
To register for the entire series, please send your tuition of $500 in any of the following ways:
1) Mailing a check (Will Crutchfield, 820 West End Ave. 9F, NYC, NY10025)
2) Using any of the following payment methods, with WillCrutchfieldAssistant@gmail.com as the payee:
PayPal
Venmo
Zelle (through your online banking)
If you receive an invitation that does not say "subscriber," but think you have already paid for the series, please write to WillCrutchfieldAssistant@gmail.com immediately at the address above.
If you need more detailed log-in instructions, this link will take you to Zoom's own explanation
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115004954946-Joining-and-participating-in-a-webinar-attendee-
If you have trouble logging in during class session, please call class assistant at 646-363-6638 for help.