Carrie Hennessey

Last Minute fill in - Part Deux

Carrie — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:54:00 GMT

What a roller coaster the last weeks have been! From intense rehearsals and performances of The Merry Widow in Modesto, to making instruments and teaching songs to children in Berkeley Elementary Schools to a MUCH NEEDED vacation with family in southern California. Well, the vacation was cut a bit short...

While driving through Beverly Hills on a Tuesday afternoon, I got a call from the Modesto Symphony wondering if it were possible for me to sing the soprano solo in Mahler's Symphony No. 4. The snow storm had made it impossible for the soprano to leave the east coast, and this meant I would have to learn the German text and melody in the car on the drive home, possibly not singing it until rehearsing in front of the orchestra...sure, why not? My dear friend and colleague Ming was gracious enough to let me do it, as I was supposed to sing in a gala for his youth symphony in Napa, CA. It turns out that the tenor I as supposed to sing with was also snowed in out east. What a wild weekend!

I arrived home from vacation late on Wed. night, got my rehearsal and formal wear together and left for Modesto on Thursday afternoon for the first rehearsal with the orchestra. Talk about BUTTERFLIES! Yikes, I don't think I can explain how I felt, because as much as my stomach was not allowing me to keep anything in it, I still felt very calm. It was really strange. I guess when you know you have a job to do, that's what happens.

I heard the piece once through with just orchestra, then sang through it with them before the break. At the break there was a meet and greet with the subscribers and I was able to chat with my lovely host from the opera just two weeks prior, Bob. He introduced me around and we had a lovely chat. Then I went back stge to rest my voice. it was quite harsh on it to be speaking words in the car drive for 10 hours almost solid. Then back to rehearsal. But I was not aware that it was an open rehearsal for the subscribers...gulp! A little nerve-wracking, but again, I had a job to do and knew it was neither the time nor the place to worry about perfection, but just the next layer of getting comfortable with the piece, the German, the interludes, and the orchestration for which I needed to listen. Needless to say, I slept like a baby that night. Thank goodness, I was exhausted!

In Friday's afternoon rehearsal I was able to add still one more layer of comfort with the piece and with what i needed as far as breath etc. Maestro David Lockington was so incredibly generous with his conducting and making sure that I was alright and had what I needed. I am extremely grateful for his patience is letting me chip away at the piece in layers, knowing that more sound and more interpretation would come on the night of the performance. I am also grateful to Ming for allowing me to go and take on such an opportunity!

You just never know what might be around the corner!

Last minute fill in

Carrie — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:38:00 GMT

I got a call Thursday afternoon of the second weekend of The Merry Widow. I was in Berkeley working with some elementary schools for an upcoming performance with members of the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. During a 15 minute break I checked my phone and saw that Townsend Opera had called. The student that was playing the role of Hannah in the student performances was ill, and they weren't sure that she would make it through the performance. After and hour or so of waiting to hear, it was determined that she would make it through.

I drove back to Modesto for the Friday night performance. On Sat. I had planned on toodling around and then attending the student performance that night. I wanted to see their work on stage! Unfortunately, I ended up singing the performance. Courtney, the student cast Hannah, had no voice at all. I felt terrible for her!

All went well. Working with the student cast was a great time. They are all such INCREDIBLY hard workers, what a joy!

Wonderful whirlwind production!

Carrie — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:15:00 GMT

Whew! The people at Townsend Opera Players really run a tight ship, just how I like it! We staged the whole of The Merry Widow with music, dialogue AND dancing in less than a week. We had roughly a week to tweek things and make changes for the better. Start of rehearsals was Jan. 9 and the first show was Jan. 24th. I loved working this way. It was great to plow through the staging and really have time to play with character and make changes to things that don't work.

The cast was great! Vincent Chambers played Count Danilo on short notice, and did a great job. I am grateful to have been able to work with him on this. He and I have AMAZINGLY similar senses of humor, which made the break neck pace of the rehearsal schedule much easier on both of us! THe other point of rest were the amazing hosts that opened their homes to us crazy opera singers! I stayed with Bob who is well known in the Modesto area for his amazing support of the arts. No last name for Bob is needed. Everyone knows Bob! Truly, I am in amazement of his loyalty to the arts and his great generosity. Bob is always attending a recital at CSUS, a Modesto Symphony Board Meeting, an Opera Guild meeting, housing artists that are performing in the area or driving the artists too and from the Sacramento airport! Also, bacon and eggs in the morning and grapefruit and oranges from his trees outside were a plus to staying with him! Mmmmm, bacon!

Nearby, were Dick and Kay who housed our lovely Baron Zeta, Eric Graber. Eric and I enjoyed morning walks, and even more enjoyed coffee in the morning with Dick and Kay. (and Eric's home made cookies!) and once in a while a night cap to process the events of the day.

This was a true collaboration with California State University Stanislaus. The chorus were students and there was a second cast for 3 of the leads, Hannah, Danilo and Valencienne. The student cast was wonderful! And of course, I can't talk about this production without talking about the young conductor Ryan Murray. Watch for him! He really is amazingly talented, prepared and knows how to work an orchestra and reign in a singer when needed! Thanks Ryan!

What an experience!

Thanks to everyone at Townsend Opera!

Happy 2010!

Carrie — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:21:00 GMT

The New Year is here and my first resolution is to BLOG a bit more regularly as I have many exciting projects in this blessed New Year!

Right now my focus is on Hanna in the production of "The Merry Widow" in Modesto, CA with Townsend Opera Players. I am really excited to begin rehearsals on Saturday! I have the great privilege to work with some wonderful artists that I have already sung with in the last year. When I played Mimi in West Bay Opera's "La Boheme", Ani Maldjian played Musetta . She will play Valencienne in "The Merry Widow". In Townsend Opera Players' Opera Gala this fall, I sang the duet from La Boheme with the powerful tenor Vincent Chambers. He will play Count Danilovitch. It will prove to be a very playful and buoyant production and I look forward to seeing the CA folks there! www.townsednoperaplayers.com

I am excited to have such an incredibly varied season. There is not one project that is even close to another that I am doing. So far this season I have interpreted Puccini's heroine Mimi, the playful comprimario role of Giannetta in "L'Elisir d'Amore", sung operatic excerpts alongside some of the SFO Adler Fellows in concert and have done performances for and helped in the musical education ofevery child in Berkeley, CA elementary schools with members of the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. What a 2009 I tell you, and with joyful operetta "The Merry Widow" to kick off 2010, it will be another amazing year!

More to come on the other projects that I am also researching, learning and preparing for the new year!

Cheers!

West Bay Opera La Boheme - Staging

Carrie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 03:33:00 GMT

Jimmy Smith, the stage director, rocks! I am so happy that I decided to contact him prior to the beginning of this project. I know it's not the norm in the business, but I guess I am not doing this career like everyone else as it is. I had e-mailed Jimmy as to some of his ideas so that I could also share some of my ideas in hopes to build on my ideas of the role before rehearsals were to begin.

West Bay Opera La Boheme - Home Stay

Carrie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 03:23:00 GMT

What can I say? Again I am blessed with an amazing home stay situation, first in Livermore in March and now in Palo Alto. The Gracons are the best! I get up in the morning and chat with them both. They are great supporters of the opera and completely understand the crazy rehearsal schedule. i have had the great pleasure to not only have many wonderful conversations with both Helen and Tom but also have the opportunity to dine with 2 of their 3 children and families. It's such an amazing environment to fuel me as an artist. I feel at home here and it makes for an easy time to be well rested in order to create!

West Bay Opera Boheme- Day 1

Carrie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:52:00 GMT

Well, here we go. It's my first major operatic role, so we may as well just jump in. Up at 4:30 am CST, allergies in MN are full blown after only a few days, took a Benadryl the night before, go drowsy then felt like ants were crawling under my skin. (I was quickly reminded why I never take any sort of medication) Early rise and to the airport, 2 flights to CA, then quick grab the already packed suitcase at home and drove 2 hours to Palo Alto for the first music rehearsal of La Boheme at West Bay Opera.

WOW!!!!!!

It was a bit nerve wracking to go into my first rehearsal in such tired shape, but all went well and we actually got through the whole opera! Afterward, I arrived at my host family's house and got ready to go to sleep. It didn't take long, that's for sure!

Rehearsal - Day 3 and performance

Carrie — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:02:47 GMT

Wednesday morning was the start of the big day. Last rehearsal and performance time. The rehearsal went well, and then off home for NAP O'CLOCK. I found a new talent of mine that I think could become a scientific study....Nap-ology. I was dubbed the nap-ologist by a colleague. Napping is a happy thing!

The road to the performance seemed a long one. The nap didn't last as long as I would've liked, and I didn't want to study too much other music, as I could get too confused. SO I read and watched llamas some more and listened to the fog horn then got ready for the concert.

All went well with "Pulicinella" so Joseph and I went out to have a glass of wine and listen and watch the "El Amor Bruja". In line for wine we were ab;e to meet several of the patrons and had some great conversations. One was with a gentleman who has been at the rehearsal the day prior to the performance. He had several questions to ask me about the voice, singing, preparation and he even seemed a little nervous. At the performance, he was glowing and went on about how much he loved it. He then said a very sweet thing to me. "I know I probably shouldn't say this, but the moment you opened your mouth and sang, I fell a little in love with you. Who knew that simply the human voice could do that?" Well, that's why I am in this business, to connect with people, on and off stage.

This was an extremely satisfying experience!

Rehearsal - Day 3 and performance

Carrie — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:44:00 GMT

All went well with "Pulicinella" so Joseph and I went out to have a glass of wine and listen and watch the "El Amor Bruja". In line for wine we were able to meet several of the patrons and had some great conversations. One was with a gentleman who has been at the rehearsal the day prior to the performance. He had several questions to ask me about the voice, singing, preparation and he even seemed a little nervous. At the performance, he was glowing and went on about how much he loved it. He then said a very sweet thing to me. "I know I probably shouldn't say this, but the moment you opened your mouth and sang, I fell a little in love with you. Who knew that simply the human voice could do that?" Well, that's why I am in this business, to connect with people, on and off stage.

This was an extremely satisfying experience!

Rehearsal - Day 2

Carrie — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:38:00 GMT

Rehearsal again was at the crack of noon! What a treat, to sleep in and everything! I was able to have coffee on the deck, listen to the fog horn and study music all morning long before heading into town for rehearsal. "Pulcinella" was at the end of the rehearsal again, and we were able to meet the Classical Spanish Dancer, Fanny, that was also performing in the "El Amor Bruja". She is stunning! And after seeing her dance, I think that we all had a crush on her. She was a beautiful dancer, yes, incredibly expressive, great, but ALSO had AMAZING rhythm. She drove that orchestra rhythmically, and was with each beat that de Falla wrote. Wow!

Rehearsal - Day 1

Carrie — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:09:00 GMT

One of the great things about the Mendocino Music Festival, is that the rehearsals are open and we just started in right away with the orchestra, which was amazing by the way! It's a relaxed environment, which is ideal for me to do my best work. The other great thing about these open rehearsals is that it was as if we had a performance every time we rehearsed. It also gave us all a chance to talk with the people that maybe were not in Mendocino for Festival, and talk them into coming to the concert.

Day 1 was great! The difference in temperature between Sacramento and Mendocino was a bit jarring, and I thought that I had enough layers, but I proved wrong by the end...

Rehearsal for our concert went really well. I had a great time with the other singers. Joseph Gaines is the amazing tenor that came in for Thomas Glenn at the last minute for both Stravinsky's "Pulcinella" and Mozart's "Reqiuem". I also had the pleasure of hearing and gooffing around with Miss Heidi Waterman, Mezzo - con cahones, as it was often put. She sang de Falla's "El Amor Brujo" that requires the singer to have the passion and depth of voice of a true Spanish, gutsy, singer. Wow!

After rehearsal, Joseph and I ate at Frankie's, a great local ice cream/lunch place. Then unfortunately, we were right next to the Mendocino Chocolate Company, so I felt forced to have a truffle. A tough job, but someone had to do it!

Then it was back to peace and quiet to study La Boheme and just look out the windows at the llamas. A great night!

Mendocino Music Festival

Carrie — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:53:00 GMT

The adventure started off from Sacramento, at the gas station. That's right people, I am open for an adventure to begin, well, at the beginning. Enjoy the journey, right? I filled 'er up and as I washed the windshield, there was a gentleman that stood probably 6' 4'' (later that I found out was the shortest of 9 children) that I said hello to. We started a conversation, and before i knew it, he was talking about many things in his personal life. It wasn't a situation where I felt any sort of discomfort at all, he is a lovely person. After we talked about a few things, he heaved a sigh of relief. It was as if the weight of the world was lifted off his shoulders. It was a moment I won't soon forget. What a great reminder what a small amount of time and a good ear can do for a complete stranger!

Then it was off, the long way, to Mendocino on a sunny, hot day in the valley. First to Sonoma then up highway 1. The best part of the drive was on highway 128 through the Redwoods. The light is what threw me so off guard. It is such an incredibly specific, filtered light. Against the background, it was a bit foggy, even thought the sun shone bright. As it fell through the trees, each shade of green was captured so vividly, especially against the background, it was unreal. I was looking for Fairies, trust me!

Then I arrived at the Hughes' Llama farm just outside Mendocino in Albion. ah Albion, no cell phone, no internet...it was like heaven to "disconnect' in order to reconnect for a few days! The night was extremely dark and sleep came quickly....

I am happy to report...

Carrie — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:02:00 GMT

I am happy to report the season ahead! I am extremely grateful that the auditioning is paying off, and I have amazing opportunities to work on such a rich variety of music this season. Here is the list so far:

October Mimi La Boheme West Bay Opera Palo Alto, CA

November Giannetta L'Elisir d'Amore Sacramento Opera Sacramento, CA

January Hanna The Merry Widow Townsend Opera Players Modesto, CA

March-April Stage Director Brundibar Sacramento Opera Outreach Sacramento, CA

May-June Emmeline Emmeline by Tobias PIcker Cinnabar Theatre Petaluma, CA

So there it is! I have already been doing a quite a bit of research for my Spring projects, which are heavy, heavy stories to tell. I have now turned my sights on Mimi again as it is coming up so quickly. I love digging into the music, characters, story line and history around the stories.

Off I go, more work/play to do!

Mendocino Music Festival

Carrie — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:49:00 GMT

Well, it's getting toward the end of the 2008/2009 season, and this week is going to be perfect way to end it, in beautiful Mendocino County. I have the great privilege of singing the soprano solo in Stravinsky's ballet, "Pulcinella". I really excited to work with the artists there and have a chance to get to know people in the community. I also have the chance to stay with a generous family in the area. It is on what used to be a llama farm. How fun is that?!?!?!?

More to come as I make my way up the coast for an amazing adventure!

My favorite 4th graders

Carrie — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:25:38 GMT

What can I say!?!?!? I was blessed to meet 90, yes 90 4th graders from Rocklin, CA at Rock Creek Elementary.

Audition Weekend - Day 2

Carrie — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:43:35 GMT

Day 2! To Oakland to audition for yet another production of "The Marriage of Figaro". Can you believe it? I can't! No I can. Why not, I love this music. It went really well. I sang one of the Countess' arias, "Porgi Amor". I think it went quite well, especially since I just found out about this 2 days ago and hadn't had time to rehearse the music. Just breathe and go! It had been a while, and may have been a bit rusty, but as long as the intention of the situation remains alive, that's what really counts.

The young lady that was in charge of checking all the singers in had seen me sing at the Jarvis Conservatory Opera night. I didn't realize until after my audition that she had sung too! It's such a small world here, very fun.

One thing that I have learned since the move here, being spontaneous is a good quality to have in this business, you never know when an opportunity may knock. The roles may not always be a perfect fit, but why not try it and see? Everything changes with every operatic role sung depending on the rest of the cast and the theater in which you are singing. For me, Barbarina in a 2400 seat house made sense. I could keep up with the other cast members vocally without a problem, and it didn't have to be a little teeny sound, otherwise the folks in the back would never have heard it!

I am now enjoying some moments here in downtown Petaluma before my last audition of the weekend for Cinnabar Opera/Theatre. I will also get a chance to see a few of my singing buddies after the auditions and gnosh a little. Next round to come!!!!! I will post the results as soon as I know!

Audition Weekend - Day 1

Carrie — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:10:00 GMT

Well, this is the major weekend here in the Bay Area to do opera auditions. Saturday morning, I got up bright and early to get ready to head off to Martinez, CA from Sacramento. It is a perfect drive, just about an hour. Oh, but first gotta gas up the vehicle....but it's steaming. Thank goodness I am such a nerd about getting going early! I still had plenty of time to switch cars and continue to head off to Martinez. It was a perfect day, too.

I arrived at the church nice and early and all were on a lunch break. I had plenty of time to change my clothes and warm up just a bit before they would be ready. I also had a chance to chat with the man that was checking everyone in at the front door. i love making those connections at auditions rather than just walking in like a robot and doing the audition. I know at cattle call auditions, sometimes it has to be that way, but I prefer this! He happened to be born in the Midwest as well, so we had a nice conversation and I was good and relaxed. I was able to go in a bit early, as the people before my slotted time had not arrived. I was able to sing for Artistic Director Cesar Curzi. He was lovely and it was a lovely space in which to sing. That doesn't always happen, so it was a treat. I sang "Donde Lieta Usci" from La Boheme, and then I was off! They were very good about keeping things moving and really only giving 5 minutes slots to each person. As I walked out, Maria Billingsley was nice enough to stop me and tell me she really liked my singing. I really think that it went pretty well, but it always a sigh of relief to get a nugget of feedback.

Then it was off to San Francisco. I had a great rehearsal with a conducting/composition student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. I have had the great privilege to be working on a couple of settings of Alexander Pushkin poems he has written for Soprano and Orchestra. They are stunning! I have really loved working on new music again, it's been too long. I had forgotten how incredibly freeing to work on pieces with the composer right there and having it be a living, breathing piece of work. At the same time, it can be frightening to have ideas of your own about interpretation with the composer right there. It's so important in a collaboration like this to know the creator's intention, and to listen. I mean really listen to the way the music and the poetry live together and feed on each other. It truly is a living organism. Quite an honor ....I am really looking forward to the performance in May at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

West Bay Opera

Carrie — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:05:00 GMT

This weekend was my first in a string of opera auditions here in CA. Most small regional companies within a two hour drive time will see me in their audition room within the next 3 weeks or so. The first of these auditions was this last Friday night in Palo Alto, CA for West Bay Opera.

The drive was CRAZY! It's a good thing that I am a stickler about leaving really early, especially driving to an area with which I am unfamiliar....oh, and thank goodness for GPS. Yikes, I would've ben in trouble!

I arrived early and things were running a bit behind, which happens. I was a bit relieved to have a few extra minutes and make sure after the long 3 hour drive and feeling a bit dehydrated, that I would have some voice left. I changed and then took my music bag out to my car. I had an opportunity to walk around for a few minutes and warm my voice up a bit. I was auditioning for Mimi or Musetta in La Boheme. It was perfect! As I walked around there was this amazing floral and citrus aroma. I found these well established rose bushes that were HUGE and the rose blooms were plump and drooping from their sheer weight. I couldn't help but shove my whole face in these, to me, unnaturally large rose blooms. It was a perfect set up for me to sing the aria for Mimi. Mimi loves flowers and speaks of the joy in smelling the perfume of flowers. So, I was ready!

I got in the room and had quite a good audition. i felt it went really well. More soon....

Music Circus

Carrie — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:59:00 GMT

After a long hiatus, I realized that I needed to get back Blogging. This is my first real audition season here in Sacramento and is proving to be an interesting one. It's unlike anything I have done before.

The auditions really started back in March when I auditioned for Music Circus here in Sacramento. I thought, why not? I had never done a cattle call audition before. It was quite an experience! I walked in and gave them my name and filled out a little audition form. My resume and head shot were stapled together. I was in the 7:20pm group. This business cracks me up at how small the world is. I have only been here in CA for a year, and in my group out of thousands of people that would audition was a student that takes voice lessons from the same teacher as I! Small world!

They called our group and had the eight of us stand in the order they called. Then we went and sat in order outside the stage as the last group was finishing up. Then the person that led us over started his spiel about how things were going to run. It was a five minute run down of the details. We had to go in groups of two, which kept things moving along. The first person would do their 16 measures of singing, while the second person sat in a designated seat to listen and wait their turn. It was very interesting. I was the first in the group of two, and the fellow voice student had to sit in on my audition.

I got on stage and had to stand on an X to sing. I made a scruntched up face and said, "Do I really have to just stand on the X?". The panel giggled a little. I did my 16 bars and was asked back for a call back in April to read and sing something from Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods", now I wait and see. i should know by the beginning of May whether or not I will be cast in the show. It was a great experience, and I hope to have a chance to work with the folks at Music Circus.

Mozart Mania!

Carrie — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:18:00 GMT

I am living a double life, no really, I am. I am learning, it seems, every female role in Mozart's masterpiece, "The Marriage of Figaro". I had previously learned the Countess Rosina and Susanna. I travelled with a theatre group in their opera fusion production and played Marcellina and covered Cherubino. Now in February I will be in Sacramento Opera's production playing Barbarina and then only weeks after will be playing Marcellina in Livermore Opera's production. These characters talk to one another in the opera, so I will feel a bit schizophrenic....but what opera-singing soprano isn't a little crazy?

More soon in the dilemma of dual personalities...