Eastman Showcase 2008
THIS IS EASTMAN SINGING
Eastman Opera Theatre is featured on a new CD from Albany Records, which also features first recordings of a pair of one-act operas by the distinguished American composer Lee Hoiby. Bon Appétit! and This Is the Rill Speaking are conducted by Eastman Opera Theatre music director Benton Hess.
Bon Appétit! is a witty “musical monologue” inspired by an episode of Julia Child’s French Chef TV show from the 1970s showing the creation of a Gateau au Chocolat l’Éminence Brune —a “very special, very chocolatey, bittersweet, lovely cake,” in Julia’s words. Originally written in 1989 as a tour de force for the actress Jean Stapleton, it is performed by mezzo-soprano Kathryn Cowdrick, Eastman assistant professor of voice.
This is the Rill Speaking, written in 1991, adapted from a Lanford Wilson play, is an amusing and touching slice of small-town life. Eastman Opera Theatre gave the premiere performance of Hoiby’s orchestrated version of the opera as recently as last January, directed by Johnathon Pape, and this recording soon followed. After This is the Rill Speaking’s New York premiere in April 2008, the New York Times described Hoiby’s music as “unfailingly gracious.” The Eastman students performing multiple roles in Hoiby’s opera are Kate Hannigan, Jordan Wilson, Julia Cramer, Lauren Iezzi, Joey Wilgenbusch, and Brent Arnold.
The CD number is TROY 1028. For ordering information, visit www.albanyrecords.com.