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Category: Daily Dispatch

Visa Issues Sideline Soprano at Trenton Concert

Obtaining a performing arts visa is a long and drawn out process. A few days ago, I shared a link to an article I wrote about Eric Houghton’s “Pioneer Songs,” which will be performed by the Westminster Community Orchestra, the Westminster Community Chorus, and the Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble, at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton on November 10. I only received word yesterday that famed coloratura soprano Carla Maffioletti, formerly of André Rieu’s Johann Strauss Orchestra, will not be appearing on the program due to visa issues.

Maffioletti is also scheduled to appear at the War Memorial with the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey on two programs, both also at the War Memorial, on December 28 (a recital with chamber orchestra in the intimate George Washington Ballroom) and December 31 (a New Year’s Eve celebration with full orchestra in Patriots Theater). It is hoped that on those occasions everything will proceed as planned.

The article appeared on November 1 in the Trenton Downtowner. An extended version (which you probably won’t be surprised to hear, given the source, had to be edited for inclusion in the Downtowner due to its extreme length) will run in this upcoming week’s U.S. 1 Newspaper – PrincetonInfo, out on Wednesday. I am sharing the Downtowner piece again, minus the Maffioletti info, below.

https://communitynews.org/2018/10/31/upcoming-musical-pioneer-songs-tells-the-story-of-american-pioneers/

November 3, 2018
Jules Verne Movie Music for Dark Days

With a time change imminent (tomorrow night, we fall back) and Election Day right around the corner, we’ll shun the darkness with music from movies inspired by Jules Verne’s novels of science, progress, and adventure.

We’ll hear evocative selections from four films inspired by Verne’s novels, including “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (1954) by Paul J. Smith, “In Search of the Castaways” (1962) by William Alwyn, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (1959) by Bernard Herrmann, and “Around the World in 80 Days” (1956) by Victor Young.

Verne takes us to some very strange places, yet manages to overcome all obstacles. Still, it’s always a good idea to bring a harpoon, just in case.

Grab your gear and climb aboard. It’s music inspired by Jules Verne this week, on “Picture Perfect,” music for the movies, this Friday evening at 6:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

November 2, 2018
Pioneer Songs A Musical Journey West

Once they left, they were really gone for good. There were no smartphones. No Starbuck’s. No 7-Elevens. Unknown perils, punishing weather, and sudden illness were facts of daily life. Provisions may have run short, but through determination, grit, and the efforts of a tight-knit community, they were able to get by.

Their story is told in “Pioneer Songs,” Eric Houghton’s epic meditation on the courage and resilience of those Americans who blazed the western frontier. The historical oratorio will be presented at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton on November 10 at 7:30 p.m. Houghton’s cycle of fifteen symphonic songs, for vocal soloists, choir, and narrator, celebrates the first successful passage of wagon trains to California in the 1840s.

The concert will feature guest soprano Carla Maffioletti, who achieved fame through her association with André Rieu and his wildly popular Johann Strauss Orchestra. Other soloists will include soprano Kathee Zenn and mezzo-soprano Miranda Landers-Smith, both graduates of Westminster Choir College, lyric tenor Jeremy Blossey, and bass-baritone Martin Hargrove. Nancy Froysland-Hoerl will narrate the perils and triumphs of the pioneers.

The Westminster Community Orchestra will be joined by a hundred voice choir, made up of the Westminster Community Chorus, prepared by Sinhaeng Lee, and the Ewing-based Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble, directed by Chaequan Anderson. The joint forces will be conducted by Ruth Ochs.

Houghton, a resident of Ewing, has been on the faculty of Westminster Conservatory of Music for 34 years. Ochs is in her thirteenth year as conductor of the Westminster Community Orchestra.

Learn more about this free concert in my article in this month’s Trenton Downtowner, out today.

https://communitynews.org/2018/10/31/upcoming-musical-pioneer-songs-tells-the-story-of-american-pioneers/

November 1, 2018
Halloween Radio Spooktacular & Membership Drive

Happy Hallowe’en!

Andy Williams may not exactly be in agreement, but for me it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

I hope you’ll join me extra early today on The Classical Network, as I take to the air (and not just on my broomstick), beginning at 2:00 EDT, for an extended spree of Hallowe’en mischief. We’ll enjoy a veritable monster mash of music about goblins and ghosts, sorcerers and psychos, maledictions and mephistos – a phantasmagoric playground for those of us with impish dispositions.

Sounds like great fun, doesn’t it?

Alas! Like Norman Bates and the floors of his family motel, along the way, we’ll still need to mop up the remaining dollars from last week’s membership campaign shortfall.

The good news is we are now only a few thousand dollars shy of our budget. Can you help us out? The sooner we drive a stake through the heart of this drive, the sooner we can gorge ourselves on Kit-Kats and roar cackling through haunted landscapes.

Today is the last possible to day to reach our goal. What are you waiting for? It’s not like we’ll be taking your pledge in blood on human parchment – although we do hope you will opt to become a sustaining member. Call us now at 1-888-232-1212 or join us online at wwfm.org.

Keep us ALIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!

As the capstone to our comedy of terrors, on this week’s “Music for Marlboro,” we’ll surrender to the delirium of moon-drunk madness with Arnold Schoenberg’s whacked-out masterpiece, “Pierrot Lunaire.” We’ll hear it performed at the 1969 Marlboro Music Festival by sprechstimme soloist Shirley Sudock and an instrumental ensemble made up of world class musicians, including flutist Paula Robison, clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, violinist (and violist) Felix Galimir, cellist Ronald Leonard, and pianist Murray Perahia.

Trick or treat? Perhaps both!

There will be plenty of chills and candy corn. Join me for an extended ride through haunted houses, twisted psyches, and infernal regions. I’ll be ringing your doorbell and running, from 2 to 7 p.m. today, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

Marlboro School of Music and Festival: Official Page

October 31, 2018
Halloween Fundraiser Success Thank You WWFM

Yay! We made our goal! Undying (and undead) thanks to all of you who came through with your support! Now we’ll be able to savor the rest of our Hallowe’en candy unhindered by earthly obligations. The scary music will rise, unimpeded, from 2 to 7 p.m. EDT – except, of course, for occasional pauses for me to offer on-air thanks.

If you had been meaning to donate and haven’t had a chance, we certainly won’t turn you away now. Our zombified staff will be milling about for the remainder of our business hours, so feel free to call 1-888-232-1212; or you can contribute anytime at wwfm.org.

If you had NOT been meaning to contribute, it’s probably a good idea to turn off the porch lights and act like you’re not home…

We at WWFM – The Classical Network tip our pointy hats to our loyal and generous listener-members. Thank you again for keeping both our treat bags and our coffers full!

October 31, 2018

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