There is a little joke that presents the predicament of a young opera singer in a nutshell. One day, Charlie, a gifted young man, sought out her theater teacher for some advice. Charlie could sing, dance, read music, speak foreign languages and play the piano!
Earnestly, he looked his teacher in the eye and declared, “Mrs. Smith, I’ve decided. When I grow up… I want to be an opera singer.”
Mrs. Smith replied, “Well, Charlie, which one is it? You want to be an opera singer, or grow up?”
I will make sure to explain why this story hits home for the Young Artists featured in this Saturday’s Broadway and Opera Highlights.
All of us at the Natchez Festival of Music welcome you to join us at the Broadway and Opera Highlights Night on Saturday, May 23. I welcome you on behalf of all us Young Artists.
My name is Candice, and I am a Floridian, but we have Artists here from as near as the Mississippi/Lousiana area and as far as Russia and Peru. We hail from the best music schools in the country. We are now out in the world, bringing our boundless energy, big voices and hearts to the stage.
Most readers may know Natchez as their dear and tranquil home, but to us, Natchez is thrilling and new, and this Saturday the most exhilarating moments are underway. We have thrived on your Natchez warmth and hospitality (and scrumptious home-cooking!), and we are charged up to serenade you with the most treasured melodies in the American songbook!
We will delight you with the dashing romance of South Pacific, the intoxicatingly lush duet from Lakme, the all-American version of Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story, and much more.
I have not forgotten that I opened with a joke; please let me elaborate. As Young Artists, we will take your breath away with song, and inspire your enthusiastic children to love music for a lifetime.
This evening of Broadway and Opera Highlights presents a perfect assortment of musical gems -- none too long to hold your children’s imaginations, so they are ideal for the whole family. Yet we are also learning how to “grow up.”
Mr. George Hogan is one of our great American opera singers, and he has engaged esteemed artists such as Mr. Estes, Mr. Larkin and Mr. Rosenmeyer to help him guide us at this critical point in our early careers. To find long-term success in this career, one actually needs a balance of great talent, a childlike heart and grown-up wisdom.
We Young Artists thank each and every one of you who has made it a privilege to grow in Natchez, as Mr. Hogan did years ago. We thank you for the meals, for opening your homes, and for the loving support. We need each of you to bring your friends and family this Saturday to the Broadway and Opera Highlights. We have really joined your Natchez community, and we simply can’t do it without you!
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