AlexanderLast Spring he performed with the Atlanta Opera in a production of The Flying Dutchman as a supernumerary dancer. All that ballet and dance training from ages 4 to 12 helped him get the small part. He was thrilled and I've never seen him so committed, so happy.
After I came back from New York, he said he wanted to audition for the Opera Chorus. He had fallen in love with opera. He took voice lessons for a little over a month and learned an aria in German and two other pieces. He doesn't speak German, he took French in High School and he had never had singing lessons...the last time I remember him singing was in 5th grade as chorus was part of the special courses rotation. Am I gushing? He learned an aria in German in one month!
When he was 12 I took him to New York for a theatre week. Yep, I was one of those parents that took children out of school for special trips. We saw The Barber of Seville opening night at The Met. I thought it would be a good introduction to opera because it is a comedy and has many silly and fun moments. We also saw an off-Broadway production called When Pigs Fly and Les Miserables. It took 12 years for the opera to kick in.
Fast forward through a lot of hot messes with my only child over the years...
Alex will have his first singing role with the Atlanta Opera in their production of Orfeo ed Eurydice. He will be singing in Italian, and is busy learning the music. He does not sight-read so he is doing this all by ear.
After I came back from New York, he said he wanted to audition for the Opera Chorus. He had fallen in love with opera. He took voice lessons for a little over a month and learned an aria in German and two other pieces. He doesn't speak German, he took French in High School and he had never had singing lessons...the last time I remember him singing was in 5th grade as chorus was part of the special courses rotation. Am I gushing? He learned an aria in German in one month!
When he was 12 I took him to New York for a theatre week. Yep, I was one of those parents that took children out of school for special trips. We saw The Barber of Seville opening night at The Met. I thought it would be a good introduction to opera because it is a comedy and has many silly and fun moments. We also saw an off-Broadway production called When Pigs Fly and Les Miserables. It took 12 years for the opera to kick in.
Fast forward through a lot of hot messes with my only child over the years...
Alex will have his first singing role with the Atlanta Opera in their production of Orfeo ed Eurydice. He will be singing in Italian, and is busy learning the music. He does not sight-read so he is doing this all by ear.
He studied dance from 4 through 12 and danced in many ballets during those years, he has studied Suzuki violin, played the trumpet and has had several small extra parts in movies being shot in Atlanta, so he is not totally unfamiliar with performing. The role also calls for him to dance (again, thanks mom for making me take ballet) so he will be well tested for this performance.
He continues to work at the chocolate store, and he is a great help to me as I continue to care for my sister and my mom.
He continues to work at the chocolate store, and he is a great help to me as I continue to care for my sister and my mom.
Again, I have never seen him so happy, so focused so committed.
3 comments:
Way cool! Bless him for pursuing his dream while he continues with the necessities and kindnesses of life.
Take a boy, Mama!
Wow, he's gorgeous - on so many levels!
Isn't it wonderful when our children fulfil their potential?
Congrats to him and his proud mother :o)
Sometimes I can't spell (or type) . . . take a bow, Mama!
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