FESTIVALFOCUS YOUR WEEKLY CLASSICAL MUSIC GUIDE
SUPPLEMENT TO THE ASPEN TIMES
MONDAY, JULY 17, 2023
VOL. 33, NO. 4
Opera Program Brings Patchett’s Bel Canto to Life BY LAURA SMITH
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Author Ann Patchett’s best-selling novel Bel Canto is described on her own website as “a spellbinding story about love and opera.” On Friday, July 21, at the Benedict Music Tent, the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) presents an opera based on the book, bringing Patchett’s dramatic story to life with all the tenderness and tension for which her novel was so highly acclaimed. Set during a real-life hostage situation that took place in 1996 in Lima, Peru, the story is driven forward by the main character, Roxane—an opera singer—and her “bel canto,” or “beautiful singing.” During a months-long captivity, it’s Roxane’s daily practice of singing that connects the characters to each other, to their humanity, and to love. “It is music, in the form of Roxane’s voice, that allows these people to find common ground,” notes Renée Fleming, superstar soprano, co-artistic director of the Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS (AOTVA) program, the work’s champion, and the voice upon which Patchett based Roxane’s singing. “Throughout history, the shared experience of music and art has created community, to the extent that it’s part of human evolution,” says Fleming. “It’s in our DNA.” “Presenting this is going to be so much fun,” says Patrick Chamberlain, vice president for artistic administration at the AMFS. “This is the second ever performance of this opera, which is really sig-
Star Wars, E.T., and More: Film Music of John Williams Tuesday, July 25 | 7 PM Benedict Music Tent Tickets from $30! Children’s tickets $20. COSTUMES ENCOURAGED!
ANDREW ECCLES
EMILY DORIO
Renée Fleming (left) championed the creation of an opera based on author Ann Patchett’s (right) best-selling novel, Bel Canto. Student artists of the AMFS’s Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS program present that opera, composed by Jimmy LÓpez Bellido, in the Benedict Music Tent on July 21.
nificant. It was premiered by the Chicago team now coming to set the work in Aspen. Lyric Opera, with mu“Renée has absosic by Peruvian comlutely championed poser Jimmy López this work,” says “It’s a big old-school Bellido, based on the Chamberlain. “When grand opera, the likes of she and Patrick Sumimpassioned novel. It is a real passion projmers took over as which aren’t really being co-artistic directors ect of Renée’s.” Fleming spent five of AOTVA, this was written anymore.” years nurturing and very high on the list as workshopping the a work that we would Patrick Chamberlain opera’s commission in produce here. What AMFS Vice President Chicago along with Belmakes it uniquely for Artistic Administration lido and director Kevin suited to what we Newbury—the same can do at Aspen are
Dust off your light sabers, don your wizarding robes, and join us for an evening of the greatest works by John Williams, easily the most prolific and important film composer of our time. Played by a full orchestra, this family-friendly program will include selections from Star Wars, E.T., Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter, and many more! (Please note: This evening is purely orchestral and will not include film projections.)
the same reasons why it’s so challenging for other companies to produce. It See Bel Canto, Festival Focus page 3
JAS, AMFS Collaborate to Bring Big Bass to the Stage BY SAMANTHA JOHNSTON
Festival Focus Writer
The Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) and Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) are teaming up again to bring bass sensations Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer to Harris Concert Hall on Saturday, July 22. Meyer—a Tennessee-born bluegrass specialist and classical crossover—and McBride, who first attended The Juilliard School to pursue classical studies, but hit the road with legendary jazz saxophonist Bobby Watson, create a duo that is rare magic. The powerhouse bassists first played together in Aspen in 2007. This will be their third time performing during the summer AMFS program. “The first time we brought Edgar and Christian to the stage at Harris Hall, it was an absolutely mind-blowing concert,” says James Horowitz, president and CEO of JAS. “In all of the shows I’ve seen over all of the years, that
EBRU YILDIZ
Celebrated bassist Christian McBride joins AMFS artist-faculty member and bluegrass legend Edgar Meyer on July 22.
one was a standout. It is one of my top ten, maybe top five.” McBride and Meyer were both heavily influenced and inspired by double bassist Ray Brown who was known for his extensive work with Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald. Though McBride is known for blazing a path in the jazz genre and Meyer has roots in classical and bluegrass, it’s the sweet spot they share that McBride sees as unique. “We both play an instrument that is meant to accompany, and we both were inspired by the man who brought us together—Ray Brown,” McBride says. “I come from the jazz and rhythm and blues world and Edgar comes from bluegrass and classical, but in the middle, we both love the blues.” Common ground for this duo has less to do with the particular genre of music they play, and more to do with a continuing friendship and exploration of the music they See Bass Extravaganza, Festival Focus page 3
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