Master Class With Kevin Murphy

I heard some of the Merolini for the 1st time Tuesday evening, at a master class led by Kevin Murphy, pianist & Director of Music Administration at New York City Opera. Mr. Murphy has a calm, reassuring manner, & he focused on the singers' sound & expression. He emphasized clean vowels, often asking the singers to speak the Italian text conversationally.

Tenor Joshua Baum sang & acted "Che Gelida manina" comfortably. He is a capable & confident singer, & his high C was hefty & bright. Mr. Murphy commented that no one worried about him not hitting it. Baritone Joseph Lattanzi sang "Bella siccome un' angelo" from Don Pasquale. He has a nice resonant, metallic sound, as well as a dapper appearance. Mr. Murphy encouraged him to put more character into the aria & to "find words that you like." Mezzo Sarah Mesko sang a dramatic aria from La Clemenza di Tito with a full & mature-sounding voice. Mr. Murphy praised her authenticity & worked on getting her to make a more consistent sound. Kevin Miller was her engaged & florid accompanist. Bass-baritone Matthew Scollin sang the Catalog Aria from Don Giovanni with an appropriately comic face. His fellow Merolini clearly adore him. He has a low-sounding voice, which Mr. Murphy worked to make more bright & open. Pianist Francesco Fraboni played with clarity & bite. Mr. Murphy did not neglect the accompanists, & he sat down at the piano a couple of times to demonstrate things for them.

§ Master Class With Kevin Murphy
Merola Opera Program 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 | 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Herbst Theatre

"Che gelida manina" from La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini
Joshua Baum, tenor
Artem Grishaev, piano

"Bella siccome un' angelo" from Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti
Joseph Lattanzi, baritone
Elena Lacheva, piano

"Deh per questo istante solo" from La Clemenza di Tito by W.A. Mozart
Sarah Mesko, mezzo-soprano
Kevin Miller, piano

"Madamina, il catalogo è questa" from Don Giovanni by W.A. Mozart
Matthew Scollin, bass-baritone
Francesco Fraboni, piano