Telemann Opera Auditions
Dear Singers,
The San Francisco Early Music Society Baroque Music and Dance Workshop will produce a performance of Telemann's "The Patient Socrates" this summer. We are departing from previous practice by holding auditions ahead of time for the many solo roles in this opera (to be performed with the workshop orchestra). The workshop takes place June 20-26, and the auditions will be held in Berkeley at 2 pm June 6, 2004. (Those who are selected will have an opportunity to work with Jennifer Lane at a masterclass on June 12, 2004.)
We are holding the auditions early so that soloists in the opera can learn their parts ahead of time and don't have to use the valuable master class and ensemble time on only one or two numbers. Please note: our usual full program will be available to all singers - master classes in the morning, on repertoire you choose to bring; ensembles in the afternoon, and chorus. If you need more information about the workshop program, check our website, www.sfems.org (or contact me if you are not a surfer).
If you would like to attend the workshop and be considered for a role, let me know at once. For the audition, bring two Baroque arias, one lyrical and one florid. If you would like to see a sample of arias from the opera, I will see that you get copies of scores for roles appropriate to your voice, just let me know your your voice category, your address and/or FAX number. If you have not registered for the workshop, you can do so with the form on the website. If you do it soon, I will extend the deadline after which the tuition is raised (to May 15). If money is an issue for you, check the financial aid box when you send in the form
Telemann's opera contains many gorgeous arias and ensembles, some in German and some in Italian, easily worthy of Handel at his best. In reducing this four-hour opera to one hour, we have skimmed off the creme de la creme. The plot: The Senate of Athens, facing a huge loss in its male population after a war, has decreed that every man should take two wives. Socrates has two, and they are constantly bickering and making his life a hell. There are scenes including Socrates and his students in which Socrates tries to be philosophical. Melita has two lovely ladies in love with him, but has to choose between them because his father has already promised him to a third. He can't bring himself to choose. Antippo loves the two lovely ladies too, and would gladly have one or both.
These are the roles:
5 for soprano: 2 lovely ladies, 2 quarreling wives, 1 Cupid
2 for bass/baritone: Socrates and Melita's father Nicia
2 for tenor: romantic Melita and buffo Pitho
1 for countenor/mezzo-soprano: Antippo
Following the auditions, Jennifer Lane will hold a master class to work on this repertoire, from 2:30 to 4:30 on Saturday, June 12, in Berkeley.
If you want to be considered for a role but are unable to attend the audition, let me know and send in the registration form. If we are already familiar with your singing, you may not need to audition; if not, you should contact me about an alternate date. Or send a tape or CD of your singing which will reach me no later than June 1, to 1448 Josephine, Berkeley CA, 94703. We look forward to hearing from you.
"Patiently" yours (in a Socratic sense!),
Phebe Craig