Martin Katz Vocal Piano Masterclass July 15, 2015

The Music Academy of the West is among the nation’s preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. At its ocean-side campus in Santa Barbara, the Academy provides these musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, guest conductors, and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and fellows receive full scholarships (tuition, room, and board). The Academy’s distinguished teaching artists roster has included famed soprano Lotte Lehmann, composers Darius Milhaud and Arnold Schoenberg, cellist Gregor Piatigorsky, pianist Jeremy Denk, and current Voice Program Director Marilyn Horne. Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many enjoy careers as prominent solo artists. In 2014 the Music Academy entered into a four-year partnership with the New York Philharmonic, resulting in unprecedented training and performance opportunities for Academy fellows, and Summer Festival residencies for Philharmonic musicians.
The Music Academy of the West cultivates discerning, appreciative, and adventurous audiences, presenting more than 200 public events annually, nearly half of them free of charge. These include performances by faculty, visiting artists, and fellows; masterclasses; orchestra and chamber music concerts; and a fully staged opera. For more information, visit musicacademy.org

[@nancyrevzen7798]

nanetta is spectacular!!gorgeous technique, placement, sound

[@christiaandhooghe]

The mezzo is outstandingly beautiful. Such a HUGE talent!

[@megjones3622]

Exceptional. Flawless . . . . hardly ever heard,

[@assindiastignani7087]

Well, actually, she is always called Nanetta. In the score it says: " Nanetta vestita da "Regina delle Fate," ...Falstaff sempre disteso contro terra, immobile." So Falstaff doesn't enter at the end of this aria, he's there the whole time. Also there is no mention of a white horse. I seem to remember that Zefferelli had Alice (Gabriella Tucci) come in one at some point in his staging at the MET in the 60's (unforgettably conducted by Leonard Bernstein. Freni was Nanetta!) Also, this whole scene is much more singable, if you pay attention to what Verdi wrote - 1/4 note = 63 for the aria, which is a bit more flowing than this somewhat plodding tempo, and six measures before that very treacherous ascent "Le Fate hanno per cifre i fior" he writes "poco più animato" which helps, if you do it. A pity that this extremely talented young woman didn't have a chance to work on this aria with someone has played and coached entire productions of the opera and really knows it.

[@clefnoteproductions6695]

The dates given for Verdi in the video are incorrect, however the singing is gorgeous!