The Whole Review Vol. 2 Issue 1- Feb-Mar '21

QUARTERLY VERSE

HOUSE UPON A HILL

Restoring the National Negro Opera House 63RD ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS NOMINATIONS

STYLE

FINDING THE REAL YOU AND WEARING IT COMFORTABLY

SHUT UP AND SING Marsha Thompson on artistry, advocacy and activism in America

FEB- MAR 2021

a C o u r t n e y 's Sta r s o f To m o r r o w p u b l i ca t i o n

EDITOR IN CHIEF Courtney Carey CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTOR Emily Zier COPYEDITOR Justin Cohen CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Liz Colavita Daland Jones Jeffrey Mitchell Richard Oliver Leah Partridge Deandre Simmons STYLIST J LeVe CONNECT WITH US cstarsoftomorrow cstarsoftomorrow wholereviewmag cstarsoftomorro Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow

www.cstarsoftomorrow.com www. wholereviewmag.com

2

FEB- MAR 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY Francisco Fernandez Ella Olsson Jonathan Riley Shutterstock.comIgor Bulgarin Threestars Johnny Food-o-graphy Mariana Medvedeva Zarzamora UnsplashCaio Coelho Ruslan Mitin Harry Wedzinga Halil Mescioglu Courtney Carey Joseph Siffred

REFERENCES Armstrong Journal 1 https://armstronghistoryjournal.wordpress.com/2018/11/23/ scandalous-by-profession-opera-in-eighteenth-century-europe/

© Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow 2020. All

or in part in all editions of the magazine. All

Rights Reserved. No part of this magazine

material is sent at your own risk. Although

may be reproduced without written per-

every care is taken, neither Courtney’s Stars

mission of the publisher. All information

of Tomorrow, nor its employees, agents or

contained in this magazine is, as far as we

subcontractors shall be held liable for loss

are aware, correct at the time of going to

or damage. Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow

press. Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow can-

endeavors to respect the intellectual prop-

not accept responsibility for errors or inac-

erty of the owners of copyrighted material

curacies in such information. If you submit

reproduced herein. If you identify yourself

unsolicited material to us, you automati-

as the copyright holder of material we have

cally grant Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow a

wrongfully attributed, please contact the

license to publish your submission in whole

office.

wholereviewmag.com

Amelia Rose Jewelry 707.595.0811 • www.ameliarosejewelry.com Wholesale Inquiries West Coast Showroom Agency Showroom @ The Cooper Building • 860 S. Los Angeles St. #214 • Los Angeles, CA 90014 Phone: 213-624-3629 • agencystacy@gmail.com East Coast Showroom Susan & Company, LLC • 16 West 36th Street • New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-502-0960 • susan@susan-company.com

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

3

EDITOR'S LETTER

W

elcome to 2021 and happy Women's History Month.

So much has happened since our Christmas 2020 issue. The United States of America has a new president, there are multiple COVID-19 vaccines in distribution, and Spring is almost here. I, like each of you, ran into 2021 with open arms after a very long, difficult 2020.

Hopefully this issue of The Whole Review will inspire you to keep pressing forward this year. We have come across some wonderful stories to share with you.

The National Negro Opera House came to my attention randomly. I was scrolling my Facebook feed, and Chantal Braziel crossed my screen. She was making a pitch to help save and restore the National Negro

4

FEB- MAR 2021

Opera House. The story was so beautiful and compelling that I immediately reached out to her and asked if we could present the story here. The second story is that of Marsha Thompson. Again, I was on Facebook and saw a post that you'll have to read to believe. The post was so provocative that I completely changed the direction of this issue of the magazine and began speaking with Richard Oliver about ways to thoughtfully share this story. Activism and advocacy are not just buzzwords. They are words to live by, and Marsha Thompson is a good example of an artist doing her part to bring awareness to injustices both on and off stage. These women are taking matters into their own hands and making a difference in this world, and I could think of no better way to celebrate Women's History month than by sharing their stories with you.

I am happy to welcome JLeVe, Richard Oliver, Leah Partridge, and Jeffrey Mitchell to our family of contributors. This issue would not have been possible without their contributions, as well as the contributions of our established network including Liz Colavita, Daland Jones, and Deandre Simmons.

Before I close, I want to highlight a few updates and chang-

wholereviewmag.com

es to The Whole Review.

You likely noticed it when you clicked the link, but we have a barcode! This is a major step in advancing the magazine and I am looking forward to sharing this publication internationally and securing a barcode was a significant step toward that goal. What does that mean?

In the coming weeks, we will be implementing a subscription system with a third-party vendor through which you can purchase print copies of the magazine. The print is superior quality, and you will be very happy with the copy. The digital version will continue to be available for purchase on Issuu.com, and you will be able to download it to your devices so that you can read it wherever you are.

It's time to kick it up a notch, and with that in mind, I am happy to announce that we will move to bi-quarterly distribution. This means twice per quarter you will receive an issue.

Soon, we will be updating the website, sending out subscription notices, and unveiling a YouTube channel with exclusive content that will entertain you.

Until then, enjoy the issue.

Courtney Carey

CONTRIBUTORS

LIZ COLAVITA Writer/Amplified

DALAND JONES Health and Fitness

J LEVE Style and Beauty

Liz Colavita is a freelance writer and editor. Previously, she worked as Associate Editor at The Business Year (TBY) in their head office in Istanbul. At TBY, she also worked on the journalistic side in the field in Jordan, the UAE, and Kuwait.

She managed the editorial content for TBY’s special reports and publication analytics. Additionally, she worked for UN Women and Oxfam as a report development consultant, editing and drafting documents for regional programs in Europe and Central Asia. She graduated with a degree in Public Policy and Economics from Duke University.

Baritone Daland Jones holds a BM in Voice from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and a MM in Opera and Vocal performance from the Manhattan School of Music. He has performed with Mississippi Opera, Festival South, Aspen Festival, and Opera Memphis. Jones has also performed with the Corinth Symphony as guest soloist in tribute to Martin Luther King and his idol Leontyne Price. Recently, Jones performed a series of recitals and concerts in Paris, France with the Lyrique International. Jones is also a private vocal instructor and personal trainer in the South Florida area.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, J began as a classically trained singer, allowing them to travel the world and encounter a multitude of cultures. J then found their spark for fashion through the discovery of gender fluidity, sass, 90's Parisian fashion, rebellion and sophistication. J LeVe is a published wardrobe stylist based in New York, NY.

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

5

Jeffrey Mitchell is Vice-president, Client Services for ArtsVision and has previously worked as Director of Artistic Operations for Palm Beach Opera and an Artist Manager at Zemsky/Green Artists. As a flutist he has performed in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, Kaufman Music Center and Symphony Space and has presented recitals for the Atlanta Flute Club, Red Door Concerts, and Winter Harbor Music Festival. He earned degrees from the University of Georgia (BM) and the Yale School of Music (MM).

6

FEB- MAR 2021

CONTRIBUTORS

JEFFREY MITCHELL Food

wholereviewmag.com

RICHARD OLIVER Writer/Amplified

Richard Oliver is a performing arts critic, music educator, artistic director, and creative based in Dallas, Texas. His arts journalism is featured in several publications from North Texas to Chicago and New York. He received his BFA in vocal performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, where he also received his BA and MA in journalism and new media journalism.

In his spare time, Richard writes and produces original multi-genre music and works as a creative consultant for various arts organizations and independent artists in North Texas.

Leah Partridge is an American soprano, born in Lincolnton, near Augusta, GA. She attended Mercer University and pursued graduate studies in opera at Indiana University, all the while performing in international opera productions. She has been critically praised for her bel canto singing, notably in the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor, as well as in the roles of Violetta in La Traviata, and Gilda in Rigoletto.

In the 2008 season, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the First Niece in a production of Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes. Her recording Finding Home is available on Apple Music.

CONTRIBUTORS

LEAH PARTRIDGE Columnist

wholereviewmag.com

DEANDRE SIMMONS Critic/Star Pick

Deandre Simmons is quickly gaining recognition for his velvety voice and incisive musicianship. He has performed successfully with several companies and symphony orchestras including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Collegiate Chorale of New York, Opera Panama, Bohème Opera of New Jersey, The Kansas City Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, Castleton Festival under Maestro Lorin Maazel and others.

DeAndre is a three-time fellow of the Music Academy of the West and an alumnus of The Curtis Institute of Music.

FEB- MAR 2021

7

CON TEN TS VOL. 02

ISSUE FEB-MAR 2021 NO. 01

QUARTERLY VERSE 10 House Upon a HIll National Negro Opera House 16 Arts@Future A celebration of tomorrow's musicians in the IDAGIO Global Concert Hall, presented in cooperation with Thomas Hampson & the Hampsong Foundation 18 63rd Annual Grammy Awards • Classical Music Nominees

28

24 The Best Seat in Town • Shonda Rhimes' Netflix hit Bridgerton

Feature story and Style section photography by Francisco Fernandez 8

FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

AMPLIFIED

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

FEATURE STORY 28 Shut Up and Sing: Marsha Thompson on artistry, advocacy and activism in America

FTINESS

36 Breaking a New Sound Barrier Drawing on the elevating power of music, three unconventional operas are breaking barriers on and offstage

59 "Eyes on the Prize" Warmup Routine

58 Healthy Lifestyle

60 "Eyes on the Prize" Workout 62 Pushup Challenge 2.0

Style & beauty Style

63 Post workout snacks

44 Finding Your Style Beauty

FOOD 65 Savory Pomegranate Molasses • Recipe 66 Pork Tenderloin with Savory Pomegranate Molasses • Recipe

54 Skin Care

67 Roasted Brussel Sprouts • Recipe 68 Blood Orange and Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail • Recipe

Encore 70 Star Pick • Leontyne Price at The Met 72 Leah Partridge Returing to the stage after the Great Pause of 2020

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

9



national negro opera house

National Negro Opera House; Photo: Courtesy Jonnet Solomon

quarterly verse

10 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

national negro opera house



quarterly verse

NATIONAL NEGRO OPERA HOUSE

house upon a HILL

by Liz Colavita

O

utside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sits a house upon a hill. The 19th century Victorian was once the grand home of the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC), the first African American opera company in the U.S. From 1941– 1962, under the direction of Mary Cardwell Dawson, the NNOC and its physical home went through ups and downs, strides and shifts.

But the figurative foundation of the National Negro Opera House held strong: to be a bedrock of culture, education, and artistry for Black people in Pittsburgh.

This treasure of African American history today sits unassuming on Apple Street in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood. Jonnet Solomon, undeterred by its deterioration over decades of neglect, bought the house in 2000. In a 2020 interview for NPR, she commented on not only its architectural beauty but the richness of its past: “It’s a gorgeous structure, but the energy within the house was

wholereviewmag.com

just amazing.” In talking with The Whole Review recently, Solomon noted that former owner William “Woogie” Harris “gave people like Madame Dawson, Lena Horne, Roberto Clemente, and Paul Nesby a place where they [could] be who they are and nurture their talents with other people. This type of creative space impacted sports, jazz, opera, and the community.”

Mary Cardwell Dawson Photo: Library of Congress

FEB- MAR 2021

11

quarterly verse



national negro opera house

Solomon elaborated, “Here in Pittsburgh, you had a living structure that literally housed American history that is both inspiring and motivating, but no one knew it existed.” Chantal Braziel, a volunteer and a classically trained soprano, learned about the house only a few years ago. She became involved in raising awareness about the landmark last year. Sydni Goldman, Creative Media Director for the National Negro Opera House, had never heard of it until Solomon reached out to her. Solomon brought Goldman on board because of her experience as a TV producer.

Goldman, an African American media professional, understands the importance of telling the house’s stories. “Not only was it the birthplace of the National Negro Opera Company, but it was also a place where some of the most influential African Americans of our time would go and stay because discrimination laws prevented them from staying at hotels in downtown Pittsburgh.”

Solomon’s push to save the house started over 20 years ago.

As a result of her hard work, there has been local recognition of the site over the years. In 2008, the National Negro Opera House was named a Pittsburgh City Historic Landmark. Moreover, in 2003 and 2008, the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh named it one of their top 10 historic Pitts-

12 FEB- MAR 2021

burgh sites worthy of preservation.

Following years of incredible local efforts, a major catalyst for raising awareness is the National Trust of Historic Preservation’s 2020 recognition of the National Negro Opera House as one of our Most Endangered Historic Places. This leveling up in awareness is paired with the country-wide dialogue about race, racism, and recognizing Black people’s contributions to society. Solomon sees this as “the perfect time to get this project completed.” Braziel believes “Madame Dawson’s vision is even more important in today’s political climate. Although more

wholereviewmag.com

Black voices are heard today, there is still racism and prejudice within the industry.”

Pictured below: Mary Cardwell Dawson and La Julia Rhea National Negro Opera Company Collection- Library of Congress.

national negro opera house

Goldman adds, “The achievement and ambition of Mary Cardwell Dawson should be no secret.

She was truly a trailblazer for the opera world. She brought people of color and all backgrounds together on stage. At the center of her heart was a yearning for unity during a time when it was the opposite of that.... The vision for the opera house is for it to become a center for artists and creatives



quarterly verse

to gather together again. It would also be a beacon of hope in the Homewood community.... There's a lot of African American history in Homewood and the opera house is a big part of that.”

Performance/G. Verdi's Aida on August 28, 1941 after Mrs. Dawson negotiated an opportunity for African American violinist Lawrence Peeler to play in the orchestra.

Pictured above: Lawrence Peeler, violinist and The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

National Negro Opera Company Collection- Library of Congress.

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

13

quarterly verse



national negro opera house

National Negro Opera House (current state); Photo: Courtesy Jonnet Solomon

The house upon a hill—the beacon of hope—is poised for rebirth.

These three ambitious womenSolomon, Goldman, and Braziel-

14 FEB- MAR 2021

are not only repairing the landmark building, but they are also revitalizing Dawson’s legacy and reaching out for support. Such an

wholereviewmag.com

endeavor comes with a hefty price tag, estimated at $5 million.

national negro opera house



quarterly verse

SUPPORT Chantal Braziel and Candace Burgess singing outside NNOH

TO SUPPORT THE RESTORATION OF THE NATIONAL NEGRO OPERA HOUSE CONTACT Jonnet Solomon-412-212-8479; email-info@nationaloperahouse. org; donate-nationaloperahouse. org/donate.

The National Negro Opera House Photo: Courtesy Chantal Braziel

Braziel and her fellow soprano Candace Burgess invite artists and performers to participate in their Opera Challenge, in which they perform selections outside the opera house to spread awareness and fundraise. Participants can perform a selection of their choice; share it on social media with an

explanation about the cause, and use the hashtags #NationalNegroOperaHouse, #operahousechallenge, and #RebuildTheHistory; and encourage other artists to do the same.

Everyone is invited to spread the word and contribute at nationaloperahouse.org/donate.

wholereviewmag.com

Goldman urges, “Right now, it's critical we spread the word about the opera house so everyone will know about it. The best way people can help is by spreading the word as well as [through] financial support.” 

FEB- MAR 2021

15

quarterly verse



arts @ future

Arts@Future: A celebration of tomorrow's musicians in the IDAGIO Global Concert Hall, presented in cooperation with Thomas Hampson & the Hampsong Foundation

The Hampsong Foundation recently announced the launch of the Arts@Future series in the IDAGIO Global Concert Hall. This series of online performances, presented during the 2020-21 season, is a unique opportunity to experience the brilliance of tomorrow's artists and to support their development during this challenging time. High-quality performances from a variety of music conservatories, universities, festivals, young artist pro16 FEB- MAR 2021

grams, and arts organizations will give audiences a unique glimpse into the creativity and talent of the next generation of classical artists poised to launch their onstage careers.

The COVID-19 crisis has the potential to stunt the careers of many young, talented, and hard-working musicians who are just beginning to make their artistic mark on the world. In purchasing tickets for these concerts, audience members will be wholereviewmag.com

providing direct financial support to the education and growth of these young artists. 70% of the net revenue from ticket sales will go directly to the organization or educational institution making each live presentation possible.

Thomas Hampson and the Hampsong Foundation have worked with partners and colleagues to put together a diverse and captivating series of concerts. From contemporary music in Karlsruhe (Germany) to

arts @ future



quarterly verse

Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe (Germany) - inaugural Arts@Future GCH event, took

PA R T N E R S

place in October 2020 Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow (USA) University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (USA) Internationale Hugo-Wolf-Akademie (Germany) Internationales Opernstudio - Opernhaus Zürich (Switzerland) Manhattan School of Music (USA) Naumburg Foundation (USA) Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien (Austria) Merola Opera Program - San Francisco Opera (USA)

classical saxophone in Michigan (USA) to young opera singers in both Europe and North America, audience members are in for an extraordinary digital experience.

“I am thrilled and honored to announce the newly launched Arts@Future series on IDAGIO, featuring an exclusive, international slate of events that will celebrate the next generation of artists. This series of conversations and performances in the Global Concert Hall, curated by

myself and the Hampsong Foundation, features a fantastic roster of emerging solo musicians and ensembles from universities, music conservatories, young artist programs, and other arts organizations.

Young artists worldwide are struggling to find performance opportunities, purpose, and hope for their future in the classical music industry. We are counteracting these challenges by connecting them with audiencwholereviewmag.com

es across the globe through this innovative platform, and providing educational resources and inspiration along the way. We hope you will join us in celebrating and supporting these wonderfully talented young musicians, and the institutions guiding them in their careers.”

The IDAGIO Global Concert Hall (globalconcerthall.com) is your gateway to the best concerts, streamed live from around the world. 

FEB- MAR 2021

17

quarterly verse

grammy nominations

2021

e• ppina • Prince Agri of

• Farinelli • Agripp y a l ina tP •P A s or r se

•The Passion of Y s s esh e dB ua n a • y

ag th Ca

g



GRAMMY

Pla ye

GUIDE

rs

c an •S

ry tua

Road • America

nC om p o

by The Whole Review The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards airs on Sunday, March 14, 2021 on CBS. We have compiled a list of classical music nominees for Best Solo Vocal Album, Best Contemporary Classical Composition, Best Choral Performance, and Best Opera Recording.

18 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

grammy nominations

2

1G 02



quarterly verse

rammy

Gu

e d

i

BEST CLASSICAL

SOLO VOCAL ALBUM

Award to: Vocalist(s), Collaborative Artist(s) (Ex: pianists, conductors, chamber groups) Producer(s), Recording Engineers/ Mixers with 51% or more playing time of new material.

• AMERICAN COMPOSERS AT PLAY -WILLIAM BOLCOM, RICKY IAN GORDON, LORI LAITMAN, JOHN MUSTO Stephen Powell (Attacca Quartet, William Bolcom, Ricky Ian Gordon, Lori Laitman, John Musto, Charles Neidich & Jason Vieaux)

• CLAIRIÈRES - SONGS BY LILI & NADIA BOULANGER Nicholas Phan; Myra Huang, accompanist • FARINELLI Cecilia Bartoli; Giovanni Antonini, conductor (Il Giardino Armonico)

wholereviewmag.com

• A LAD'S LOVE Brian Giebler; Steven McGhee, accompanist (Katie Hyun, Michael Katz, Jessica Meyer, Reginald Mobley & Ben Russell) • SMYTH: THE PRISON Sarah Brailey & Dashon Burton; James Blachly, conductor (Experiential Chorus; Experiential Orchestra)

FEB- MAR 2021

19

quarterly verse

20



Gr 1 2

grammy nominations

ammy

Gu

id e

BEST CONTEMPORARY

COMPOSITION CLASSICAL

A Composer's Award. (For a contemporary classical composition composed within the last 25 years, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year.) Award to the librettist, if applicable.

• ADÈS: CONCERTO FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA Thomas Adès, composer (Kirill Gerstein, Thomas Adès & Boston Symphony Orchestra) • DANIELPOUR: THE PASSION OF YESHUA Richard Danielpour, composer ( JoAnn Falletta, James K. Bass, Adam Luebke, UCLA Chamber Singers, Buffalo Philharmonic

20 FEB- MAR 2021

Orchestra & Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus) • FLOYD, C.: PRINCE OF PLAYERS Carlisle Floyd, composer (William Boggs, Alexander Dobson, Kate Royal, Keith Phares, Florentine Opera Chorus & Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra) •ROUSE: SYMPHONY NO. 5

wholereviewmag.com

Christopher Rouse, composer (Giancarlo Guerrero & Nashville Symphony) • HEARNE, T.: PLACE Ted Hearne, composer (Ted Hearne, Steven Bradshaw, Sophia Byrd, Josephine Lee, Isaiah Robinson, Sol Ruiz, Ayanna Woods & Place Orchestra)

grammy nominations

rammy

quarterly verse

Gu

i

d

2

1G 2 0



e

BEST

CHORAL PERFORMANCE

Award to the Conductor, and to the Choral Director and/or Chorus Master where applicable and to the Choral Organization/Ensemble.

• CARTHAGE Donald Nally, conductor (The Crossing) • DANIELPOUR: THE PASSION OF YESHUAH JoAnn Falletta, conductor; James K. Bass & Adam Luebke, chorus masters ( James K. Bass, J'Nai Bridges, Timothy Fallon, Kenneth Overton, Hila Plitmann & Matthew Worth; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus & UCLA Chamber Singers)

•KASTALSKY: REQUIEM Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Charles Bruffy, Steven Fox & Benedict Sheehan, chorus masters (Joseph Charles Beutel & Anna Dennis; Orchestra of St. Luke's; Cathedral Choral Society, The Clarion Choir, Kansas City Chorale & The Saint Tikhon Choir)

riweather & Laquita Mitchell; Oratorio Society of New York Orchestra; Oratorio Society Of New York Chorus) • ONCE UPON A TIME Matthew Guard, conductor (Sarah Walker; Skylark Vocal Ensemble)

• MORAVEC: SANCTUARY ROAD Kent Tritle, conductor ( Joshua Blue, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Dashon Burton, Malcolm J. Mer-

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

21

quarterly verse

grammy nominations

G r a m my G 1 2 u

id

Award to the Conductor, Album Producer(s) and Principal Soloists.

e

20



BEST

OPERA RECORDING

22 FEB- MAR 2021

• DELLO JOIO: THE TRIAL AT ROUEN Gil Rose, conductor; Heather Buck & Stephen Powell; Gil Rose, producer (Boston Modern Orchestra

wholereviewmag.com

Project; Odyssey Opera Chorus)

grammy nominations

• FLOYD, C.: PRINCE OF PLAYERS William Boggs, conductor; Alexander Dobson, Keith Phares & Kate Royal; Blanton Alspaugh, producer (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Florentine Opera Chorus) • GERSHWIN: PORGY AND BESS David Robertson, conductor; Frederick Ballentine, Angel Blue, Denyce Graves, Latonia Moore & Eric Owens; David Frost, produc-



quarterly verse

er (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus)

producers (Orchestra Of The Deutsche Oper Berlin; Chorus Of The Deutsche Oper Berlin)

• HANDEL: AGRIPPINA Maxim Emelyanychev, conductor; Elsa Benoit, Joyce DiDonato, Franco Fagioli, Jakub Józef Orliński & Luca Pisaroni; Daniel Zalay, producer (Il Pomo D'Oro)

The 63rd GRAMMY Awards air on Sunday, March 14, 2021 on CBS. 

• ZEMLINSKY: DER ZWERG Donald Runnicles, conductor; David Butt Philip & Elena Tsallagova; Peter Ghirardini & Erwin Stürzer,

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

23

quarterly verse



bridgerton

the best seat in TOWN: shonda rhimes' opera box

by Courtney Carey

F

or those who have been living under the proverbial rock, emerge and join the rest of us who have our collective pearls clutched and hearts palpitating after binge-watching the Netflix/Shondaland hit show

24 FEB- MAR 2021

Bridgerton. Shonda Rhimes is no stranger. The Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal creator has written her way into the homes of millions of viewers over the years. Her dramas have taken them from the hospital ER to the classroom and the

wholereviewmag.com

courtroom. But Bridgerton marks the first time her avid fans go to the opera. Before seating yourself in Rhimes’ grand opera box, take a moment to read the libretto.

bridgerton

The Netflix Bridgerton series, written by Chris Van Dusen, is a 19th-century Regency era-inspired drama based on Julia Quinn’s popular novel series of the same name.

The first season of the anticipated eight-season run centers upon the aristocratic Bridgerton family and the onset of the social season, the period of courtship and betrothal that is the height of the calendar year. The widow Violet, Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton, is the mother of eight children. There are four boys, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, and Gregory; and four girls, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, and Hyacinth. Starting on the day of the 1813 season, as the Bridgerton family excitedly prepares to pres-

ent the eldest daughter Daphne to the Queen, Daphne’s elder brother Anthony (played by Jonathan Bailey) is seen having an encounter with his mistress, the opera singer Siena Rosso (played by Sabrina Bartlett). It is their story line that leads us into the complex inner workings of aristocratic society. As Felicity Moran points out in the Armstrong History Journal1, “[opera singers] entertained all levels of society, including the aristocracy, [but] they did not have an acceptable place in that same society.” In addition, “the paradoxical disreputability of opera singers was based in the openly licentious lifestyles they frequently led and their behavior on stage.”

wholereviewmag.com



quarterly verse

It is for this reason that Anthony’s relationship with Ms. Rosso is kept secret, although—despite his best efforts—their dalliance is common knowledge, as both the Viscountess and the Duke allude to it in later episodes.

What is not a secret, however, is the dominance of the operatic genre during the 18th and 19th centuries. The show is heavily guided by classical music, which was the music of choice during the period. Twenty minutes into the first episode, the soprano can be seen and heard vocalizing in preparation for that night’s operatic foray. Throughout, the series’ music department, led by composer Kris Bowers, delivers a wide

FEB- MAR 2021

25

quarterly verse



bridgerton

array of classical fare including Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, and Shostakovich’s Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2. But it is those operatic moments, which always seem to appear at just the right time, that are truly attention-grabbing. So, what are those moments?

1. Episode 1

Composer: Christoph Willibald Gluck Opera: Iphigénie en Tauride, 1781 (Revised Edition) Introduction—“Grand dieux!

Soyez-nous secourable”

2. Episode 3

Composer: Vincenzo Bellini Opera: I Capuleti e i Montecchi, 1830 Aria—“Oh quante volte”

3. Episode 4

Composer: Jacques Offenbach Opera: Les Contes d'Hoffmann, 1881 Barcarolle—"Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour"

26 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

bridgerton



quarterly verse

V. Bellini

C. Gluck

Fun Facts: Golda Rosheuvel, who plays Queen Charlotte, is a trained singer as well as stage actress. She played Serena in George and Ira Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess in 2014.

Jonathan Bailey has singing chops and musical theater credits which include Company, The Last Five Years, American Psycho the Musical, and Les Misérables.

J. Offenbach Bridgerton is onto something really great musically. Not since Warner Bros.’ 1949 and 1957 animations Long-Haired Hare and What’s Opera, Doc? has opera been so prominently featured. Yes, arias can be heard in films like Pretty Woman (La traviata), Hopscotch (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Mission Impossible (Turandot), Mr. Bean’s Holiday (Gianni Schicchi), and of course Philadelphia (Andrea Chénier). But to have a television series prominently feature opera throughout is epic. Taping for Bridgerton’s second season is set to begin in late April in London, England. The second installment of the series will focus on the eldest Bridgerton brother, Anthony. However, for those hoping to see more of Sabrina Bartlett, it looks like you’re out of luck. After the heartbreaking end to their relationship during the first season finale, Anthony gets a new love interest in the second. Let’s just hope that the operatic highs still manage to find their way into this dynamic, fun series. 

wholereviewmag.com

Sabrina Bartlett posted a coaching session with Paul Farrington (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden) on her Instagram page. They worked on an aria from Iphigénie en Tauride, and she really sounds pretty good!

The voice of Siena Rosso is the young Yorkshire-born soprano, Rowan Pierce. The 30-year-old soprano was tapped to offer vocals during the Barcarolle.

FEB- MAR 2021

27

amplified



shut up and sing

FEATURE STORY

shut up and SING! Marsha Thompson on artistry, advocacy and activism in America

by Richard S. Oliver, II

“Why aren’t our arts organizations ahead of the curve on this?”

This was American soprano Julia Bullock’s passionate question during a virtual panel discussion on racial disparity and inequality—particularly as they pertain to Black Americans in classical music and opera—presented by LA Opera on Facebook Live last summer.

It’s a simple question on the surface. But in essence it’s loaded with

28 FEB- MAR 2021

implication. Historically and culturally, artistic communities and creative circles have often been at the center of the zeitgeist, pushing social perceptions toward progressive ideas that champion inclusivity, innovation, and understanding.

The sad reality is that the seemingly exclusive, esoteric world of opera and classical music is hardly removed from the path of sweeping racial acrimony poisoning the

wholereviewmag.com

nation at present. It is not, by and large, identifiable by gross, blatant offenses. Instead, it is subliminal, systemic, and subtle, made manifest through microaggressions and the intimate denials of our individual senses of self and agency. A glaring example of this dissonance can be found in Marsha Thompson’s story.

shut up and sing

wholereviewmag.com



amplified

FEB- MAR 2021 FEB- MAR 2021

29

amplified



shut up and sing

Texas-born and bayou-bred, Thompson is no stranger to the effects of micro- and macro-aggressions and implicit bias, and she has openly taken to social media to confront them.

“Artists throughout history have always been active in the social movements of their time,” says Thompson. The list of musical contributions in this category is quite literally endless, and ranges from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, seething with class conflict, to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” championing self-expression and supporting LGBTQ+ rights.

So when Thompson was confronted by a major patron for her outspoken, politically charged online presence, it was disconcerting to be told that she should “be more neutral and just focus on making music.”

This concept is certainly not new.

I’m sure we all remember when in 2018, conservative Fox News host Laura Ingraham unleashed a bitter, racially-tinged rant toward Lebron James and Kevin Durant after they spoke openly about their experiences with the ever-growing racial tensions in America at the time. They openly disapproved of then-president Trump’s tone-deaf, often incendiary political rhetoric.

Ingraham’s rebuttal was a chilling “shut up and dribble.”

The direct, and frankly dismaying, correlation between that nationally regarded exchange and

30 FEB- MAR 2021

Thompson’s personal one leaves a litany of questions and fears as it pertains to the roles and rights of Black celebrities in America.

We here, as Thompson puts it, are so quick to pick and choose when people should and should not speak up and speak out.

wholereviewmag.com

“The real issue,” she says, “is that there is a contingency of people in the United States of America who do not want Black people to say anything, because they want you to sit back and wait until they are good and ready to give you a piece of justice, equality, and eq-

shut up and sing



amplified

"Artists have always been at the forefront of addressing human rights issues and political strife."

uity.”

But how has this warped view of roles and responsibility been able to proliferate so thoroughly within a society in which Black individuals actively claim major successes and achievements?

Thompson, for example, is re-

nowned by numerous critics for her brilliant artistry. Her operatic Abigaille has been heralded as “exquisite,” and her Sieglinde “thrilling.” These roles, as we know, are no small feats, to be sure; and her list of accomplishments and accolades stretches to include Violet-

wholereviewmag.com

ta, Aida, Bess, and many others, with noteworthy houses across the globe that include New York City Opera, Teatro Municipal de São Paulo, and Opera Carolina. Like James in basketball, she has proven herself a force in her genre, and yet she is still somehow subject to

FEB- MAR 2021

31

amplified



shut up and sing

the swift debasement of her person due directly to the color of her skin.

“It is acceptable for White America to observe Black suffering and pain,” says Thompson. “It is harder for some people to accept Black success and gain.” One of Thompson’s most notable roles was as Harriet Tubman in Nkeiru Okoye’s Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line to Freedom at American Opera Projects in New York. Thompson would “transform,” as she puts it, in order to embody the depth and dimension of a woman whom she calls an American hero (and I am certainly inclined to agree with that designation). The creative process by which Thompson

32 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

shut up and sing



amplified

"Black people do not have the privilege or the liberty to be neutral." adorned this character certainly pulled on her own life experiences as a Black woman in America, and the portrayal she provided earned her high praises from mixed audiences.

It is this cognitive dissonance that I feel requires a working approach. Our society praises the concepts of radicalism, activism, perseverance, and individualism, when they are packaged in stage makeup and costumes and framed within a historical narrative. But then we denounce the same people who embody these tenets in their waking lives.

According to Thompson, this false dichotomy is an immediate result of a deeply ingrained racist

ideology that we deal with in this country. The concept of “shut up and sing” is an evocation of the time of slavery, when Black bodies were expected to perform as the soul was diminished.

“Black people could not have any self-esteem,” says Thompson.

Thus, “ Black people do not have the privilege or the liberty to be ‘neutral’.”

So, the call to action? It’s very simple. “People [artists] should do what they are moved to do … we have to continue to encourage each other.”

This seems rather reductionist.

But in this particular lane of society, we as Black artists find ourselves at a unique intersection of

wholereviewmag.com

privilege and responsibility. To be endowed with the blessings that afford the ability to pursue the rarefied, often inaccessible fields of art and music is a privilege that not all of us are afforded. At the same time, we inevitably must face the weight of our daily lives as they are permeated by the ever-present effects of racism and bias in this country. How we do so, Thompson says, is an individual choice.

But by living into the freedom of that choice, and consequently the truth of ourselves, we give weight to the power of agency and self-determination.

FEB- MAR 2021

33

amplified



shut up and sing

Yes, there are certainly specific, quantitative changes that can be made at the institutional level— from conservatories hiring more culturally sensitive instructors, to arts organizations restructuring on an administrative level to include more Black board members, general directors, casting directors, and others.

However, there is also work to be done on the subconscious level in order to make it all sustainable.

“It’s important for our humanity to be seen,” says Thompson. “And, since the United States has participated in colonization, it’s important for this country to make space for Black excellence, because we’re here.”  Photography: Francisco Fernandez 2fphotography.com

34 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

35

amplified



breaking a new sound barrier

36 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

breaking a new sound barrier



amplified

breaking a new sound BARRIER Drawing on the elevating power of music, three unconventional operas are breaking barriers on and offstage.

By Liz Colavita

T

“The most ancient human language is music,” says Joshua Banbury, librettist of The Illustrator.

This sentiment is echoed by Derek Lee McPhatter, who is currently developing NightQueen, calling music the unifying element. Will Liverman’s The Factotum aims to connect people—specifically, new audiences—with music.

Liverman adds, “If we want new audiences in the opera house, it helps them to have a meaning-

ful connection to what they are experiencing and listening to.”

These three men are using the language of music to bend norms and reimagine the opera experience, infusing new styles and influences to create nontraditional operas.

Following the notion that music is Homosapiens’ oldest form of language, Banbury’s The Illustrator transports us back 5,000 moons to primeval Africa where

wholereviewmag.com

three princes, after the destruction of their kingdom, embark on a quest to kill Death. The fairytale begins as the triplet princes prepare to become men on their twentieth birthday. In a kingdom-wide celebration, they sing and dance around a roaring fire.

But the revelry does not last; a foreign wind lifts the fire into the sky and then down upon the kingdom’s people. As the sole survivors of this macabre event, the

FEB- MAR 2021

37

amplified



breaking a new sound barrier

enraged and heartbroken princes vow to avenge their kingdom by finding and murdering Death.

After a harrowing pilgrimage, the discovery of Death alters their preconceptions and enlightens a new civilization.

This epic tale is enhanced with music heavily informed by Indian Carnatic singing, American jazz, and Western classical music. “The spellbinding power of music is one of the greatest tools we have to elevate written language,” says The Illustrator’s librettist. Banbury began studying Carnatic music under the guidance of Roopa Mahadevan and was “compelled by

In a similarly mythical vein, McPhatter’s NightQueen blends “theater, music, and oral storytelling traditions to conjure a mythology.” But in contrast to

38 FEB- MAR 2021

the precision, creativity, and discipline of Carnatic vocalists. Furthermore, the notion of adopting vocal practices beyond my limited Western classical training intrigues me greatly.” Banbury recently began researching the connection between Indian classical music and ancient African music, finding striking similarities between them. Both are derived from centuries of oral tradition, improvisation, and rhythm. Carnatic music’s connections to African music—plus its highly spiritual nature, and the belief that it is the most ancient musical art form still in practice—make it a fitting

The Illustrator, McPhatter aims to reflect on the contemporary black experience through an Afro-surreal, future-past lens.

Drawing from D. Scot Miller’s

wholereviewmag.com

choice for this fairytale.

Illustration by Joshua Banbury

2009 Afro-surreal Manifesto: “Afro-futurism is a diaspora intellectual and artistic movement that turns to science, technology, and science fiction to speculate on black possibilities in the future. Afro-surrealism is about the present. There is no need for tomorrow’s-tongue speculation about the future. Concentration camps, bombed-out cities, famines, and enforced sterilization have already happened.... The future has been around so long it is now the past. Afro-surrealists expose this from a ‘future-past’ called RIGHT NOW.” McPhatter finds Afro-surrealism to be a compelling perspective “when considering the recent

breaking a new sound barrier

rise of ethnocentric populism and intensified state-sanctioned violence against communities of color.” NightQueen’s protagonists are anxious about the meaning of “home” in a city becoming unbearably hostile—especially, ecologically hostile. Chicago—a natural choice of setting with its diverse and ever-morphing population, its central role in the nation’s transportation infrastructure and economy, its history of engineering innovation, and its legacy of cultural renaissances for people of African descent—is a city threatened by moving waters. The city is literally sinking.

McPhatter adds, “While our characters struggle with questions of history, home, and ancestry, the powers that be attempt to combat environmental collapse with feats of engineering.”

The three-part epic suite will feature music as the common thread, but the musical influences of each evening-length performance vary. Part one, entitled Underdrown, is being developed as a play with music, specifically drums. Part two features activists staging a “Damn the Dam” protest inspired by several twenty-first century movements. This plot is accompanied by cyber-

wholereviewmag.com



amplified

punk-rock-infused opera stylings, as well as protest songs from the blues, hip-hop and trip-hop, and African American folk traditions.

The final installment is synced with an acid jazz song cycle.

This expansive set of musical influences is congruent with McPhatter’s approach as a dramatist who is writing to engage new and diverse communities.

“NightQueen is an affirmation of the diversity, beauty, creativity, and resilience of Black life in opposition to modern-day forces that continue to debase Black communities.” The main protagonist—a queer black public intel-

FEB- MAR 2021

39

amplified



breaking a new sound barrier

lectual—searches for a platform to tell his truth, an experience that resonates in today’s political, economic, and cultural climate.

While the suite focuses on disenfranchised peoples coping with ecological collapse and its compounding effects, it is simultaneously imbued with “moments of radical compassion and ingenuity to forge a path into a brighter future.”

Photo credits: p. 38 bottom: Jaclyn Simpson, p. 39 and 40 Daria Borovkova and Dionna McPhatter

Will Liverman, co-creator of The Factotum, is equally interested in celebrating Black life by infusing different styles that people listen to every day into his opera, which is set in a Black barbershop. With a setting all about community, people, and stories, The Factotum is an adaptation of Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, with a musical combination of barbershop quartet, gospel, hip-hop, funk, and R&B—“a soul opera.” Rossini’s original opera buffa, one of the greatest examples of comedy within music, lives on as a popular work.

The prevailing idea driving all three norm-bending operas is, as Liverman puts it: “In order to

40 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

breaking a new sound barrier

bring in diverse audiences, we have to tell stories that they can truly connect to because they have lived those stories.” He sees an expanding body of work highlighting Black stories. The Factotum, NightQueen, and The Illustrator are a few examples making notable headway in this space.

Liverman and DJ/recording artist K Rico are developing The Factotum alongside Lyric Opera of Chicago, and hope to take the work as far and to as many places as possible. In workshopping the piece, the creators are enjoying the truly collaborative process and giving artists the creative freedom to play around with the music and bring more meaning

to the piece.

What started out as a passion project, an idea conjured up on the road in between performances of The Barber of Seville, is taking on a life of its own. Liverman and K Rico have had more time to develop their contemporary comedy, a silver lining in a global pandemic. Liverman, a baritone dubbed by Bachtrack as one of the most versatile singing artists of today, is an alumnus of the Ryan Opera Center. He has joined forces with Lyric Opera of Chicago to workshop the opera.

While much remains up in the air due to COVID-19, they are making strides and hope to bring The Factotum to audiences in a year

wholereviewmag.com



amplified

or two.

Photos: Courtesy Willliverman. com/ Chicago Lyric Opera

FEB- MAR 2021

41

amplified



breaking a new sound barrier

Derek McPhatter

Joshua Banbury

Will Liverman

McPhatter has also collaborated with Lyric Opera of Chicago, having written five musicals for their Lyric Unlimited division. He is developing NightQueen as a 2021 Creative Capital awardee, though he conceived the vision in 2019 as a participant in the Djerassi Resident Artists Program in partnership with Leonardo.

McPhatter’s three-evening suite is perhaps the largest undertaking of the three operas. He joined

forces with Prop Thtr for a virtual staged reading of Underdrown, with Olivia Lilley as Artistic Director and Mikael Burke as Director.

Part one’s premiere is tentatively set for fall 2022. The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago hosted a winter 2020 residency for the musical development of Part two, Water Riot in Beta: A Cyberpunk Rock Opera. The final installment, Ruptr, awaits development.

The Illustrator’s librettist, Josh-

ua Banbury, and its composer, Jasmine Barnes, are actively looking for companies to workshop their opera. In recent years, they have received invitations from the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts and Forth Worth Opera in 2018 and 2020 respectively. With enthusiastic responses from these workshops, Banbury and Barnes are moving forward organically with a meditative approach. Banbury adds,

42 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

breaking a new sound barrier



amplified

Night Queen

The Illustrator

The Factotum

“We hope to partner with an opera company that will believe in our mission and aid us to realize our vision through mentorship and innovation.”

This moment in history is not without its hardships. From finding creative solutions, to developing and workshopping in a pandemic, to navigating questions of identity during societal upheaval, the challenges and barriers are real. But so is the will to address

difficult challenges and knock down barriers. The time to pause, reflect, and reimagine the genre has provided these three visionaries with an opportunity. And without a doubt, they are seizing it.

In the words of K Rico in Lyric Opera’s video, Creating The Factotum: “There’s not a lot of Black representation in opera, so that’s why we’re here … to tell our stories and break these barriers that

really shouldn’t have been up in the first place.” The ultimately uplifting, shared vision of an enlightened future found within these musical works is an example to strive for offstage. The world of opera, and likewise our evolving society, will surely be changed for the better without these barriers.

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

43

style & beauty Key tips to finding your style and wearing it comfortably.

by COURTNEY CAREY & J LEVE

44 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

finding your style



style & beauty

FINDING THE REAL

YOU AND WEARING IT

COMFORTABLY wholereviewmag.com

Does looking at this pile of clothes remind you of your room or closet? Good news- you're not alone.

That pile of clothes represents the very real struggle that many of us face- choosing what to wear. Let's face it, sometimes it is hard to pick out an outfit. But, face facts, picking out the right outfit is pretty important. Your style choices let people know who you are before you even open your mouth to say your name. But, if you have not identified your style, you likely will spend time head-scratching and eyebrow-raising while trying to find something to wear. What ends up happening as a result? You grab any

FEB- MAR 2021 FEB- MAR 2021

45

style & beauty



finding your style

old thing, throw it on and march out of your front door. What is personal style anyway? Personal style is how one expresses oneself through aesthetic choices in clothing, accessories, and hairstyle- simply put, style is self-expression. Finding one's style is a journey- it is a journey of self-discovery and reflection, and we are here to help find the real

you and wear it comfortably!

Step 1 Start

How do you begin the journey to finding your style? Start! Walk around your house and grab tons of books. Don't just look for fashion books, although those are useful.

Grab any books you have. They can be opera scores, biographies, cookbooks, and novels. All of these books can help you gather some critical information. Do you recognize patterns in the material you read? What attracted you to a particular book? Was it the subject matter, or the imagery on the front cover? Was it the color of the spine of the book as it sat on the shelf that first caught your eye? Taking a few books and magazines off your bookshelf might not seem like a big step, but actually, it is. Style is impacted by lots of factors and books are a great way to identify the things that you're drawn to. Those things ultimately will help you draw inspiration for the clothes you put on your back.

Photos by Francisco Fernandez; Styling by JLeVe 46 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

finding your style



style & beauty

FEB- MAR 2021

47

Step 2

Look for Inspiration

Once you've compiled your books and magazines, thumb through the pages to find patterns you like, typography that catches your eye, ads that compel you, and looks that draw your attention. Elephant ear those pages, and refer back to them and jot down notes about the things you like and even the things that you dislike about those selections.

wholereviewmag.com

style & beauty



48 FEB- MAR 2021

finding your style

wholereviewmag.com

finding your style



style & beauty

Step 3

Spend Quality Time

It is easy to flip through a book or a magazine and skim its pages, toss it aside, and move on to the next.

We all do it. But, take the time to study what's on each page. If you're looking at a particular page and it has your attention, figure out why.

We may be beating you over the head now, but this point cannot be stressed enough- everything you look at and are drawn to affects your style. Knowing what you like and dislike is one thing. Knowing why you like or dislike something is also important.

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

49

style & beauty



finding your style

Step 4

Don't Stress If you find yourself feeling burdened or overwhelmed, take a break. It is okay for this to feel like a project and work. It should feel like work. Uncovering, and defining your style is not a fifteen-minute undertaking. It's a process, which is why we have decided to break this up into segments. We are going to help you find your style and wear it comfortably. So relax. We are in this together!

50 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

finding your style

wholereviewmag.com



style & beauty

FEB- MAR 2021

51

style & beauty



52 FEB- MAR 2021

finding your style

wholereviewmag.com

finding your style

Step 5

Assess and Save After looking at your books and magazines and determining the things you like and dislike, it is time to assess the information you've collected and save it onto your hard drive. That hard drive can be your memory, a handwritten scrap of paper, a fashion journal, or a MS Word document. However you decide to do it, just be sure to put some stuff down in writing and refer back to the list as you begin to figure out what style reflects your personality and speaks to you the most. Take this short little quiz and keep the answers tucked away.

You'll come back to these answers in the next issue. 



style & beauty

CIRCLE ONE Read each question and choose one answer from the list

1. My books and mag-

4. If you were to win a

azines are predomi-

closet makeover from 3

nately the following

of your favorite stores,

theme/subject:

which would that be?

A. Art, Arts & Culture

A. Banana Republic, Gap, and Ann Taylor.

B. History, Non-fiction C. Comics, Humorous fiction D. Fantasy & Romance

2. I am drawn to: A. Bold patterns and print

B. Topshop, Macy's, and H&M. C. Max Mara or any fashion couture store.

D. Urban Outfitters, Free People, vintage and thrift stores.

B. Solids

5. I like:

C. Some print, but not a lot

A. Serif fonts

3. Pick one color:

B. Sans Serif fonts

A. Blue B. Green C. Yellow D. White E. Tan

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

53

style & beauty



beauty

A good skincare regimen is important to ensure beautiful, healthy skin. Here are a few products that might help you achieve the fresh and rejuvenated skin you want and deserve.

SKIN CARE

DR. BOTANICALS Pomegranate Superfood Regenerating Sleeping Mask | $9.90 The pomegranate, as you'll notice, is a major part of the food section of the issue. So, it is only fitting to include some pomegranate to feed your tummy and your skin too. This pomegranate sleeping mask is rich in Vitamin C, and is the ideal overnight skin treatment for thirsty, dull skin.

BALANCE ME Congested Skin Serum | $23.00 Balance Me is a favorite brand of The Whole Review. This calming serum refines pores and balances skin without drying it out. This skin serum doubles as a spot treatment, and is ideal for combination, oily and blemish-prone skin.

54 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

beauty



style & beauty

DR. LIPP Original Nipple Balm for Lips | $14.50 This multipurpose, 100% natural formula works to rehydrate skin and lips. Dr. Lipp is famous for its gloriously thick, ultra-long lasting & instant hydrating effect! Historically used as a nipple balm, Dr. Lipp's luxurious formula will re-balance, hydrate, nourish, soothe, plump and even help heal all types of dry, sore, cracked, itchy or sensitive skin anywhere

AVEDA Tulasara Concentrate for Unisex, Bright | $60.00 *Editor's Pick Aveda's products are the gold standard in skin care treatment. This serum is particularly good for those looking to instantly restore radiance and visibly even skin's tone while reducing discoloration over time. I have dark spots on my nose from wearing eyeglasses. This skin treatment has significantly reduced those spots from the bridge of my nose.

wholereviewmag.com

SKIN CARE

FEB- MAR 2021

55

style & beauty



men's grooming

SKIN CARE

OARS + ALPS Natural Face Moisturizer + Eye Cream | $22.00 This face and eye moisturizer uses the power of nature to restore skin's youthfulness. This product is alcohol free and won't irritate or burn post shave.

VASANTI Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator | $34.00 This exfoliating treatment works hard to improve dullness, dark spots, and wrinkles.

56 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

mens' grooming



style & beauty

JACK BLACK Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20 | $28.00 This lightweight formula visibly improves the skin's overall appearance. This moisturizer hydrates and also works as a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Billy Jealousy Beard Wash Hydrating Mens Beard Shampoo | $20.00 *Editor's Pick This wash gently detangles, softens, and cleans your beard for a healthy look.

wholereviewmag.com

HAIR CARE

FEB- MAR 2021

57

healthy section lifestyle name STANDFIRST COPY, Fitness nonsul ta Routine dieme nonsultin vesulu Idea morum sero ute et ine rei&publicae horum tus, coerfen PUSHUPbyCHALLENGE 2.0 AUTHOR

by DALAND JONES

58 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

T

he pandemic continues to rage on, even though the number of infections seems to be curbing a little. While the infection rate is going down in certain areas, the one set of numbers that I see rising is of those who are experiencing pandemic fatigue. I get it, life is not normal right now, and no matter how hard we try, our regular daily routines just don't feel right. Let me quote the words of a favorite spiritual"Keep Your Eyes On the Prize!" I try my best to remain positive and focused on my health and fitness goals. Studies tell us that physical health and mental health are related, and poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health problems. So, again, I say "Keep Your Eyes On the Prize!"

Your physical health should remain a top priority, especially during this time. Morning workouts like the one I put together for you in the Fall may not always be possible, but a workout of some sort during the day is essential. I have put together another short workout routine that will keep you mobile and feeling energized.

I am also bringing back the Pushup Challenge, but this time with a twist! Just because you're at home or unable to hit the gym doesn't mean you can't achieve your fitness goals. Let's do this together and "keep our eyes on the prize!"

"eyes on the prize" WARMUP Stretch: • Ear Drop • Yes Stretch • Elbows-Out-Chest-Stretch • Standing Chest Expansion • Arm Circles

Warm Up: • 60 sec march in place • 60 sec jumping jacks • 60 jog in place

HOW TO EAR DROP 1. Start by placing your hands behind your back.

2. Interlace your fingers while resting your hands on the small of your lower back.

3. Pull your shoulders down and back while maintaining the interlaced hand position.

4. From here, drop your right ear to your right shoulder, and hold for a few breaths. Then switch sides.

The Yes Stretch 1. Stand with your feet shoulderwidth apart.

2. In an exaggerated nod, say "yes' with your head.

3. Lift your head up towards the ceiling and look up as high as you can, and then drop your chin down towards your chest as far as you can.

wholereviewmag.com

4. Repeat this 5-10 times.

Elbows-out-Chest Stretch 1. Sit or stand and bring your hands to the back of your head.

2. Point your elbows to the sides of the room.

3. Allow your head to fall back into your hands as you open your chest and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds.

Standing Chest Expansion 1. Stand with your feet shoulderwidth apart.

2. Interlace your fingers together behind your tail bone.

3. Press your knuckles toward the floor as you open your chest out and up. The farther you draw your clasped hands away from your tailbone, the greater the intensity.

Arm Circles 1. Lie on your side and bend your knees to 90 degrees.

2. Place your bottom arm on your knees and push them to the ground.

3. Reach your top arm out and away from your body.

Without bending your elbow, make a circle as wide as you can without discomfort, then reverse the circle back to the start.

FEB- MAR 2021

59

healthy lifestyle



fitness

WORKOUT • 20 JUMPING JACKS

• 60 SEC MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS

• 20 SQUATS

• 20 LEG RAISES

• 20 LUNGES

HOW TO Jumping Jacks

LUNGES

MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS cont'd

1. Stand up tall with your legs together, arms to your sides.

2. Bend your knees slightly, and jump into the air.

3. As you jump, spread your legs shoulder-width apart. Stretch your arms over your head.

4. Jump back to starting position and repeat.

1. Stand up tall with your feet shoulder-width apart.

2. Step forward with your right leg, placing the weight onto your heel.

3. Bend the right knee and lower it so that it is parallel to the ground.

4. Pause at the bottom of the exercise for 1 sec.

5. Stand back up tall, pushing off using the right foot.

6. Repeat the process for the left leg.

out and bringing the other knee in.

5. Keep your hips down, run your knees in and out as far and as fast as you can. Alternate inhaling and exhaling with each leg change.

SQUAT 1. Stand with your hands behind your head and your feet shoulder-width apart.

2. Lower your body so that your thighs are parallel to the ground.

3. Hold this position for 3 secs.

4. Return to starting position and repeat exercise.

60 FEB- MAR 2021

MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS 1. Get into a plank position, making sure to distribute your weight evenly between your hands and your toes.

2. Check your form—your hands should be about shoulder-width apart, back flat, abs engaged, and head in alignment.

3. Pull your right knee into your chest as far as you can.

4. Switch legs, pulling one knee

wholereviewmag.com

PROPER FORM: • Do not bounce on your toes during the exercise. By bouncing on your toes you actually reduce engagement of your core muscles.

• Keep your hips down and this too will allow you to fully engage your core muscles.

• Avoid allowing your toes to touch the ground when driving your leg toward your chest. The foot should be 1 to 2 inches off the ground as your drive your leg toward your chest.

fitness

Leg raises 1. Lie on your back, legs straight and together.

2. Keep your legs straight and lift them all the way up to the ceiling until your butt comes off the floor.

3. Slowly lower your legs back down till they’re just above the floor. Hold for a moment.

4. Raise your legs back up. Repeat.



healthy lifestyle

COOL DOWN •10 seconds hands stretched to the sky with smooth controlled breaths.

•10 seconds slowly down to touch toes • 10 seconds slowly rise to normal standing position •10 seconds downward dog pose.

Repeat Cool Down twice.

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

61

healthy lifestyle



fitness

PUSHUP CHALLENGE 2.0 HOW TO EXECUTE A PROPER PUSHUP 1. Get down on all fours, placing your hands slightly wider than your shoulders.

2. Straighten your arms and legs.

3. Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the ground.

4. Pause, then kick your right leg into the air. Push yourself back up.

5. Repeat the process, kicking the opposite leg into the air. 

Disclaimer: All information provided by The Whole Review/ Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow in partnership with Daland Jones is of a general nature and is furnished for education/entertainment purposes only. No information is to be taken as medical or health advice pertaining to any individual’s specific health or medical condition. For further details on terms of use please visit cstarsoftomorrow.com/terms-of-use.

62 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

post workout snacks



healthy lifestyle

POST WORKOUT SNACKS

that you'll enjoy!

01 KALE CHIPS

02 MIXED BERRIES

03 BANANAS

Unlike potato chips, kale retains its nutritional value when made into chips. Kale is high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A and calcium, as well as B vitamins, vitamin C and potassium.

Berries are loaded with antioxidants and may help improve blood sugar and insulin response.

Berries are high in fiber provide many nutrients.

Mixed berries also help fight inflammation.

Eating a banana after a workout may help boost muscle glycogen production, reduce inflammation, and possibly even help your body utilize protein more effectively — all of which may result in a quicker recovery. Bananas also thicken smoothies.

04 DATES

05 MIXED NUTS

06 PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

Dates, specifically Medjool, are high in carbohydrates, potassium, and other minerals. Dates are a solid fuel for performance and recovery.

A handful of nuts after a workout provides protein, fiber and healthy fats, keeping your stomach satisfied until you can get something more substantial to eat.

Smoothies are a great way to fill up on proteins and nutrients. Adding fruits, nut butters or other types of protein like Whey powder will help subdue food cravings and keep you away from eating junk food.

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

63

pomegranate section mania name STANDFIRST Using pomegranates COPY, nonsul to shake ta dieme up meals nonsultin and drinks vesulu Idea morum sero ute et ine rei publicae horum tus, coerfen

by JEFFREY

by AUTHOR MITCHELL

64 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

Savory Pomegranate Molasses

INGREDIENTS 2 cups pomegranate juice 1 tsp fresh grated ginger ½ cup packed light brown sugar 1 tsp apple cider vinegar ¼ tsp dried sage Dash of cayenne pepper DIRECTIONS Combine all ingredients together in a saucepan and stir together until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow to simmer for approximately 1 hour until the molasses has reduced and coats the back of a spoon. The molasses will thicken as it cools but will not be as thick as sugarcane molasses.

NOTE: If you want to go crazy and make your kitchen look like a scene from Sweeney Todd, make your own pomegranate juice!

To make your own pomegranate juice you’ll need the seeds from 3 large pomegranates to get the 5 cups of arils (pomegranate seeds) you’ll need to render

enough juice. To seed a pomegranate cut the pomegranate into quarters and working with one quarter at a time, submerge into water and work out all of the arils. It is important to separate the membrane from the arils to make sure your juice is not bitter. By submerging the pomegranates into water, you reduce the blood streaking effect on your white tile back-splash and white cabinets with the added benefit of the arils sinking to the bottom and the membrane floating to the top!

wholereviewmag.com

Remove all of the membrane from the bowl, drain the arils and transfer to a food processor. Process until all of the arils are completely pureed. Pour the pomegranate puree through a fine mesh sieve to separate the juice from the solids. Discard the solids, and you should have 2 – 2 ½ cups of juice. 

FEB- MAR 2021

65

food



recipes

Pork Tenderloin with Savory Pomegranate Molasses INGREDIENTS 1 ½ - 2 pounds pork tenderloin 2 tbsp light brown sugar 1 tsp kosher salt ½ tsp black pepper ¼ tsp dried sage Pinch of red pepper flakes Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 tbspn of unsalted butter ½ cup Savory Pomegranate Molasses, divided DIRECTIONS Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F Rinse the pork, pat dry, remove excess fat and any silver skin.

Lightly brush pork with olive oil.

Combine the brown sugar, kosher salt, pepper, dried sage and red pepper flakes and generously coat the pork with the spice blend. Allow the pork to marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour. NOTE: This allows the salt to draw out some of the natural juices that will break down the brown sugar and other spices.

Set a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork and sear on all sides until nice and brown, about 2 minutes

66 FEB- MAR 2021

per side. Brush the pork with 2 tbsp of pomegranate molasses, add ¼ cup of water to the skillet and transfer to the oven. Roast the pork for 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 145F and not more than 160 degrees F. I prefer around 150 degrees F. Remove the pork from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Cover the pork with aluminium foil and allow the meat to rest 10 minutes

wholereviewmag.com

before slicing. While the pork is resting set the skillet over medium high heat and add the remaining pomegranate molasses and ¼ cup of water to the skillet. Season with kosher salt and pepper to taste, swirl in 1 tbsp of unsalted butter, scrape up any brown bits, and bring the sauce to a boil.

Pour the pan sauce through a fine mesh sieve if desired. Reserve to serve with the pork. 

recipes



food

Roasted Brussels Sprouts INGREDIENTS 2 pounds Brussels sprouts 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp kosher salt ½ tsp black pepper ½ tsp dried thyme 1 tsp lemon zest 2 oz goat cheese Balsamic Glaze * ¼ cup pomegranate seeds

25-30 minutes, tossing once midway through cooking.

DIRECTIONS Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F

Balsamic Glaze Balsamic glaze is really easy to make. You can use the recipe below to make your own, or you can buy a really good quality brand.

NOTE: Dodi makes a good quality Crema di Balsamico (Balsamic glaze), which you can purchase online or at an Italian specialty foods store.

Clean and trim your Brussels sprouts. Toss the sprouts with olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme.

Transfer the sprouts to a cast iron skillet and roast in the oven for

INGREDIENTS 2 cups Balsamic Vinegar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 granulated sugar 1/8 tspn kosher salt

wholereviewmag.com

DIRECTIONS Place a small saucepot over medium heat. Add the vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix the ingredients to incorporate. Bring the mixture to a boil. Stir occasionally, and cook until the glaze has reduced by half (about 30 minutes). The mixture will thicken as it cools.

Once cooled, store in an airtight container and leave at room temperature.  Recipes by Jeffrey Mitchell & Courtney Carey (Balsamic Glaze)

FEB- MAR 2021

67

food



recipes

68 FEB- MAR 2021

wholereviewmag.com

recipes



food

Blood Orange & Pomegranate Champagne Cocktails INGREDIENTS 1 cup pomegranate juice 1 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice (from about 4 medium blood orange) 1 teaspoon sugar 2 cups Prosecco sparkling wine (or champagne/sparkling wine of your choice) 1 cup of ice Additional blood orange slices & pomegranate arils and rosemary sprigs for garnish DIRECTIONS Add pomegranate juice, orange juice, sugar and ice to a blender.

Mix well and fill a Champagne Flute 1/4 way with the juice blend. Fill the cups almost to the top with Prosecco. Drop in a few pomegranate arils and garnish with a blood orange slice and rosemary.  Recipe by Courtney Carey

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

69

encore



star pick

star PICK:

Leontyne Price at The Met 2 Disc Set

by Deandre Simmons

I

n her two and a half decades at The Metropolitan Opera, soprano Leontyne

70 FEB- MAR 2021

Price brought vocal opulence and lyrical splendor to the heroines of Mozart, Verdi, and Puccini. The

wholereviewmag.com

vast array of vocal colors she could employ are on full display in this double-disc set released by The

star pick

Met in September 2020 in celebration of the ninety-four-year-old’s decades-long career there. The two-disc cd set features 34 live performances of Miss Price in some of her most shining vocal moments onstage at The Met, ranging from her 1961 debut as Leonora in Verdi’s Il Trovatore to her opening of the new Met at Lincoln Center in 1966 as Cleopatra in Samuel Barber’s Antony and Cleopatra, to her

farewell performance as the title heroine in Verdi’s Aida in 1985.

Leontyne Price was the first black major international artist with a career at The Met. Often coined a “pioneering barrier breaker”, Ms. Price’s long list of achievements include the President Medal of Freedom, an astonishing 18 Grammy awards, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The Met's engineers have done a fine job



encore

of remastering these tracks, but the limitations of recording technology run shy of truly capturing Price's luminescent vocalism. The compilation does give a glimpse of what it must have been like to hear her live. The compilation fittingly closes with "O patria mia" from her final Aida, a performance that received an equally thunderous ovation as her Metropolitan Opera debut 24 years earlier. 

www.blackoperafilm.com/live @ blackoperafilm

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

71

encore



a motivational word

EDITOR'S NOTE: Just a few moments before finalizing this issue of The Whole Review, I ran across a Facebook post by soprano Leah Partridge that was so inspirational and motivational

72 FEB- MAR 2021

that I immediately contacted her and asked if we could publish it and use it to close out this issue.

She is on the same journey as most of you, and I could not think of a more helpful, motivational, and in-

wholereviewmag.com

spirational way to close this issue than with these steps to getting back onto the stage after the Great Pause of 2020. Leah, I think you're onto something great. - C. CAREY

a motivational word



encore

steps to getting back on stage after the GREAT PAUSE OF 2020

by Leah Partridge

I

have been invited to sing Violetta in La Traviata with Opera Naples. We are performing outdoors in a park with mics and a smaller orchestra. We've been tested regularly for Covid and have maintained a strict social distancing protocol and quarantine with our pods for the past two weeks.

We open this week, and tickets are SOLD OUT! Like many singers, I found it challenging to sing opera or practice much during the lockdown. Once we emerged and started to go about life with masks and social distancing, I still was left with very little desire to plow through opera scores. If I sang at all, it was usually something I was helping a student learn, or some Dolly Parton or Margo Price tune.

Then in September, I was asked to sing Violetta.

I knew better than to think I would just jump back into shape after many months of a singing hiatus.

Not only was my voice going to need some special care, but so was my body. My regular exercise and

eating habits had gone to the wayside. I had succumbed to emotional eating and drinking and realized I had always used a singing gig to get me back on track. I’m always my healthiest when I am in training for a role. Without it, I’m pretty much a goner.

Having some years under me, I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to do it all at once. Nothing veers me off course more than trying to bite off more than I can chew. I need to be successful and achieve something each day, or else I am not going to do it. So, I set smaller goals that set me on course to achieve the larger outcome. Now, I didn’t always know how to do this; I’ll guide you on that another time.

Here are some strategic steps to get you back into vocal and mental shape after some time off from singing. All you need is three months and a plan of action!

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

73

encore



a motivational word

MONTH 1 Getting Started

1. Get your score out and put it on your piano or in your designated practice space. Yep, simple baby steps to start.

2. Drop the needle. This means practice without concern or planning. Just practice. Crack open the score at random places and see what comes up for you. Take notes for later. Pay close attention to spots that make you nervous, or you may need to tend to for technical assistance.

20 MINUTES

3. Let go of any expectations. You are not the same as you were before the pandemic. You are not the same as you were when you last sang this role. If it’s a new role, you are not the same as you were the last time you took on a new project. Try to allow yourself to be in this new place, with these new sensations, and resist trying to

74 FEB- MAR 2021

recreate what your voice was doing before.

You’ve moved on. The world has moved on.

So, move on.

4. Practicing small intervals of 15-20 minutes daily is non-negotiable for this month.

wholereviewmag.com

a motivational word



encore

MONTH 2 Get Moving

1. Start a physical practice. Move your body. Walk, run, do yoga, bike, or dance, but do it every day without fail, even if it’s for just ten minutes. I placed my yoga mat on the floor, where I had to see it every day, and I put a calendar on my wall and used fun stickers to mark my progress.

2. Make your practice more deliberate. Take one week and do one act, focusing just on the character’s notes and energy for that one act.

3. Keep your practice sessions short and your movement sessions long.

4. Moving your body every day for at least 15 minutes is non-negotiable for this month.

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

75

encore



a motivational word

MONTH 3 Health and Wellness

1. Change your diet. Chances are, the pandemic got you into some bad habits. I know it did for me!

Daily wine? Um, yes. Carb overload? Pretty much. I did Whole 30 to reset my system, and it works wonders for my voice.

2. Schedule at least 4-6 voice lessons. Try online lessons with your teacher or someone new. You’ll be surprised at the improvements that have been made in hosting online lessons in the last year. (Depending on your level, you may want to start lessons in Month 2. Give yourself Month 1 to build stamina and reconnect with your instrument.)

3. Start practicing larger portions of the opera or musical theater role during one consecutive practice session. For instance, I would practice Act One and Act Two in one day and then Act Two and Act Three the following day. I also allowed myself to skip some days after singing for longer periods to give the proper rest my voice needed while getting back into shape.

4. Keep moving your body at least three times a week while paying attention to how your voice feels when you don’t move or when

76 FEB- MAR 2021

you move too much.

5. Changing your diet is non-negotiable for this month.

wholereviewmag.com

a motivational word



encore

FINALE Good Luck

By following these steps, in three months, you will have layered back in your Pre-Covid era regimen and be closer to feeling like the vocal athlete you were. You can try to do all of these things at once, but my experience has shown me that when I am calm and patient with myself, the more I am likely to succeed.

We have all been through tremendous changes and on an emotional roller coaster this past year. I expect we will get back to the stage more regularly soon. My hope is you will do it with care and respect for where you’ve been. Good Luck and let me know how it goes! 

Leah Partridge www.leahpartridge.com Performance photos: Courtesy Leah Partridge

wholereviewmag.com

FEB- MAR 2021

77

WHOLEREVIEWMAG.COM