Setting the stage for the Voice Festival. (photo by Dion Ogust)
“We are called ‘the little engine that could,’” said Maria Todaro, co-founder and executive director of the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice. “That’s how the industry talks about us. They’re still scratching their heads. We’re also called ‘the possible next big thing.’”
Now in its sixth year, the largely volunteer-powered festival has managed to attract major stars of opera and other musical genres to sing among the mountains of the small town of Phoenicia, while keeping ticket prices down to $25 or less for most events. Held this year from Wednesday, July 29, to Sunday, August 2, the event has undergone many changes in its growth from what was originally a weekend show, but some vital features persist. As always, many of the performances will take place on an outdoor stage in the Parish Field, while other events will be held at churches, the STS Playhouse, and other venues, all within walking distance of the hamlet center.
Last year’s festival was the first to establish an overall theme, which was Spanish music. This year, America is the theme, with American composers and homegrown musical styles guiding the choice of repertoire. Voices of Distinction, a recital that showcases rising stars as well as established singers, opens this year’s festival on Wednesday night with George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” played by pianist and festival co-founder Justin Kolb, followed by a jazz combo of piano great Jack DeJohnette and vocalist Sheila Jordan. Songs from “The Great American Songbook” set the tone for the festival, with the Phoenicia and Woodstock Community Choirs backing up European musical stars Jose Todaro and Maria Helena DeOliveira, who happen to be Maria Todaro’s parents. Also appearing are American Idol finalist Elise Testone, Emily Drennan, David Bankston, Ann Benson, and local sensation Lucia Legnini.
Maria Todaro and her husband, baritone Louis Otey, traditionally perform at the festival, but this year, Otey is starring in the English opera The Wreckers at Bard College and will not sing on the festival stage. Todaro, a mezzo-soprano, will perform “American Classics” on Friday night with celebrated soprano Frederica von Stade, New York City Opera soprano Lauren Flanigan, and bass Bradley Smoak, who distinguished himself as Basilio in The Barber of Seville at last year’s Voicefest. They will sing works by American composers Peter Schickele, Jake Heggie, Ricky Ian Gordon, Tom Pasatieri, Robert Cucinotta and Carlisle Floyd — all of whom will be present.
As always, the keynote event of the festival is the Saturday night opera. Carlisle Floyd’s setting of the Steinbeck novel Of Mice and Men will star Michael Hendrick, Malcolm MacKenzie, and Nancy Allen Lundy. The show will be directed by the composer, with the Festival of the Voice orchestra led by Elizabeth Scott, who conducted a phenomenal production of Vivaldi’s Gloria at an early Voicefest. Come early with blankets or camp chairs (and optional picnic) to find a seat, as opera night can attract over 1000 spectators. Tents provide cover in case there’s rain, but the Saturday night audience generally overflows the shelter.
Emmy-nominated actor and singer Ron Raines will star in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music on Thursday night. The multi-talented Raines has sung opera and musical comedy, while appearing on the TV show Guiding Light for 16 years. This year’s musical will be the first one to grace the outdoor stage.
The STS Playhouse will host The Medium, a one-act opera by Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti, on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Madame Flora will be sung by Metropolitan Opera star Victoria Livengood, who performed often with Menotti. Also starring will be young locals Lily Arbisser, as Flora’s daughter, and Jack Warren, as the mute servant boy.
The World Music offering will be “Down to the Roots,” featuring Native American singers, on Saturday morning. Charlotte and Cynthia are an Inuit throat singing duo called “Silla.” Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima o Nûioka is the New York City extension of a school of traditional Hawaiian dance founded by Vicky Holt Takamine in 1977. Local composer, performer, and educator Joan Henry is a traditional Song-Carrier & hahesh’kah (lead drummer) for elders among the Nde’, Coast Salish, Shoshone, Tsalagi, Chippewa/Cree and Dakota nations.
Since the community choir is opening the festival this year, their usual closing will be taken over by Voices of Gotham, an 85-member barbershop chorus that wowed audiences at a previous Voicefest with extraordinary harmonies, humor, and movement.
Other events include “Good News: Here Comes Gospel” with Ralphine Childs and the choir of Point Church in Kingston; “Ben Franklin and the Armonica,” or glass harmonica, presented by Cecilia Brauer of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra; Latte Lectures on the history behind festival events at Mama’s Boy Café (free); The Diva and The Fiddler by violin/voice duo Diana Jacklin and Hartmut Ometzberger; a sample operatic Master Class (free); Souvenir, a comedy about singer and cult figure Florence Foster Jenkins; Shape Note Workshops, which teach singing to the musically illiterate (free); Cambridge Chamber Singers, an a capella ensemble from Harvard University, appearing at the Voicefest for the third year in a row; “Art of the Cantor” with the Mendelson Trio, also returning; Late Lounges at Brio’s Restaurant (free); magic and music for kids with ventriloquist Steve Charney and Harry; and a world premiere workshop performance of Do Not Go Gentle — The Last Days of Dylan and Caitlin, an opera about Dylan Thomas by Robert Manno and Gwynne Edwards, conducted by David Wroe.
The Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice will be held from Wednesday, July 29, to Sunday, August 2. Performances will take place at the Parish Field on Ava Maria Road and at other venues around the hamlet of Phoenicia. For tickets and schedule, go to http://www.phoeniciavoicefest.org.