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captivating performances Old to New: Inspiration of Die Fledermaus
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Entering its 16th year, Asheville Lyric Opera will enchant audiences with their production of Die Fledermaus.
The Asheville Lyric Opera presented an exclusive performance by world-renowned Metropolitan Opera tenor, Lawrence Brownlee at the historic Grove Park Inn. This memorable event gave the creative directors of Asheville Lyric Opera the inspiration for an opera set in western Appalachia. When asked why and how he began to entertain the idea of opera set in the mountains, Executive Director David Starkey stated “This kind of project really came out of our exposure to so much history of the musicianss, famous families, iconic homes and estates in the region.” The flexibility to adapt Die Fledermaus to different cultures, communities, and countries makes it an ideal operetta for individualization.
An opera is set in western Appalachia.
Dr. Jon Truitt
Cornelia Laemmli Orth
Working with Starkey to rewrite the libretto into a charming mountain cocktail is Asheville Lyric Opera’s artistic advisor and longtime ALO director, Dr. Jon Truitt. Having performed Die Fledermaus three times and directed it twice with various adaptations, he is well prepared to direct this very unique performance. For this exciting masterpiece ALO will collaborate with Cornelia Laemmli Orth, conductor of Symphony of the Mountains, based out of Kingsport, TN. In her eighth season as music director of Symphony of the Mountains, internationally acclaimed conductor Cornelia Laemmli Orth will be contributing her considerable talent to the musical direction of this exciting performance.
As an advocate for Contemporary Music, Cornelia brings a variety of new music to the region. She has conducted several operas and will be providing excellent musical leadership to ALO’s singers and chorus members. Setting Die Fledermaus in a well known western North Carolina home, the “Giltmore” and tailoring the “Vanderburghs” to have certain Southern mountain charms will, without a doubt, create a humorous and original production, one that will create a deeper sense of appreciation for Western North Carolina’s culture. IF YOU Die Fledermaus, Friday, October 3 at GO 8 p.m., and Sunday, October 5 at 3 p.m.
at the Diana Wortham Theatre. Tickets available by calling the box office (828) 2574530, or online at www.ashevillelyric.org. Students and other groups may purchse tickets to the Appalachian Party Preview Dress Rehearsal, held October 1 at 7 p.m., by calling the ALO at (828) 236-0670.
Asheville Area Piano Forum’s Fall Benefit Concert
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Always a highlight of the fall, the Asheville Area Piano Forum will present its 14th annual fall benefit concert on Sunday, September 28. The event will showcase the talents of 12 of its professional pianists including: Karen Boyd, Scott Camp, Elizabeth Child, Leslie Downs, Polly Feitzinger, David Francis, Anna Hayward, Ruth Nussbaum-Borden, Nathan Shirley, Michael Jefry Stevens, Teresa Sumpter and Brian Turner, in addition to guest artist, Mark Morales and AAPF student competition winner Ren Zhang. The program will include solo and two piano selections featuring both “the classics” and jazz. Its two annual benefit concerts, held in the fall and spring, are the main source of income for the AAPF educational outreach programs. These include: providing financial assistance to deserving students facing challenges paying for piano lessons, as well as support for the Keys for Kidz group piano classes which introduce music and the arts to underserved students in our community. The 501 © 3 non-profit organization provides lectures open to the public, master classes, student recitals, monthly performance groups, and the sponsorship of the Asheville Piano Competition for pre-college students. 2014 AAPF Student Competition Winner, fifteen-year-old Ren Zhang, will be a sophomore this fall at TC Roberson High School. He plays trumpet in the Marching Band, is a member of the Symphonic Band,
6 September 2014 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — Vol. 18, No. 1
was a member of the math team which won the regional competition in the North Carolina State Math Contest, while at the same time continuing his studies as a classical pianist and winning piano competitions. Fifteen-year-old pianist, Ren Zhang Brian Turner (L) and Born in ShangScott Camp hai, his early years were spent in Totalent the AAPF seeks to mentor.” According ronto and then his family moved to Charlotte to AAPF President, Nathan Shirley, “Chilwhere he began piano studies at age nine. He dren derive countless benefits from early won several awards in competitions sponsored piano instruction and music education.” by the Charlotte Piano Teachers Association AAPF membership is open to profesbefore moving to Asheville in 2011. In 2013, sional and amateur pianists, teachers, and all he was the first place winner in the Difficult who support the outreach programs, which Division. enhance the music education of both children “This year he won the most Advanced and adults in our community. Division and has been invited to perform in the Forum’s Fall Benefit concert,” says Polly For more information about the AAPF and Feitzinger, Ren’s piano teacher and a founding the program for the September Benefit Concert, member of the AAPF. visit www.ashevillepiano.org. “When offered selections from which to chose his piece to perform at the Fall Benefit IF YOU Asheville Area Piano Forum annual fall – a difficult Rachmaninoff Prelude or an even GO benefit concert, Sunday, September 28 more difficult work, the famous Fantasieat 3 p.m. at the Diana Wortham Theatre. Impromtu by Chopin, Ren selected the more General admission $28, Patron $50, free difficult work to learn this summer. for students 12 and under; students 13-21 $3. “His enthusiasm for music and making Tickets are available through the Diana Wortham music is very inspiring and gratifying,” says Box Office, (828) 257-4530, or purchase tickets Feitzinger. “He is a fine example of the young online at www.dwtheatre.com/boxoffice.