Soprano Renée Fleming Leads Second Year of SongStudio, an Innovative Workshop Celebrating the Art of the Vocal Recital

Public Master Classes and Talks by Ms. Fleming, Gabriel Kahane, Soprano Julia Bullock, Hartmut Höll, and Mezzo-Soprano Elīna Garanča

Young Singers and Pianists from Around the Globe Selected to Participate

Tickets to Public Master Classes and Young Artist Recital On Sale Now

From January 13–18, 2020, renowned soprano Renée Fleming will mentor 10 aspiring young singers and 10 collaborative pianists from around the world in the second year of SongStudio, an innovative program exploring the future of the vocal recital. Building on Marilyn Horne’s remarkable work with The Song Continues, the intensive workshop will bring emerging vocalists and pianists together with leading artists and composers for a week of instruction and performance at Carnegie Hall.

“I’m hoping to spark more creative thinking about the art form and how it can be expanded,” said Renée Fleming. “I want to encourage singers to be intellectually curious and adventurous in their approach to song repertoire; to think outside the box in their choice of repertoire, including music beyond the standard classical literature; and to experiment with new performance elements.”

The week will feature vocalists, collaborative pianists, and other artists from a wide variety of disciplines lending their insights and expertise. Gabriel Kahane will serve as SongStudio’s composer-in-residence, working with the singers and pianists on selections from his diverse vocal music. On Tuesday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m., he will join Ms. Fleming for a discussion and master class dedicated to his vocal writing, with performances by SongStudio artists.

A public master class with acclaimed mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča follows on Thursday, January 16 at 4:00 p.m.

Sopranos Julia Bullock and Renée Fleming will be in conversation on Thursday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss Ms. Bullock’s recent production, Zauberland, as well as her approach to creative programming and choosing collaborators.

All participating singers and pianists will receive private coaching throughout the week, learning from teachers, coaches, and collaborative pianists Javier Arrebola, Craig Terry, Hartmut Höll, and Gerald Martin Moore. Brian Zeger and Craig Terry will lead sessions on recital programming with the SongStudio artists. There will be a master class by Mr. Höll, focused on the art of the collaborative pianist, on Friday, January 17 at 4:00 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. that evening, Ms. Fleming will lead a public master class for participants.

The week will culminate in a final “Young Artist Recital” on Saturday, January 18 at 8:00 p.m. in Zankel Hall.

Following a rigorous audition process open to talented young singers and collaborative pianists from around the world, twenty artists have been selected to participate and paired by faculty, coming from Russia, Armenia, Canada, Colombia, Australia, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States:

• Natalie Buickians, Soprano/Sandy Lin, Piano
• Meghan Kasanders, Soprano/Cameron Richardson-Eames, Piano
• Anneliese Klenetsky, Soprano/Anna Smigelskaya, Piano
• Kady Evanyshyn, Mezzo-Soprano/Nara Avetisyan, Piano
• Xenia Puskarz Thomas, Mezzo-Soprano/Richard Fu, Piano
• Eric Finbarr Carey, Tenor/Tomomi Sato, Piano
• Randy Ho, Tenor/Celeste Marie Johnson, Piano
• Dominik Belavy, Baritone/John Robertson, Piano
• Johnathan McCullough, Baritone/Michael Sikich, Piano
• Laureano Quant, Baritone/Toni Ming Geiger, Piano

Living Well/Travel: MO BAR at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore Introduces New Menu

MO BAR at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, recently listed on World’s 50 Best Discovery will launch the second volume of its menu series, drawing inspiration from the travels taken by Bar Manager Michele Mariotti and his team since the bar’s opening in late 2018. Building on the first menu’s theme of “People of the Sea”, the progressive new menu concept invites guests on a whimsical journey across Asia Pacific.

In each destination, the group partnered with local experts to explore the markets and meet purveyors to discover herbs, spices and ingredients unique to the location. This menu has been curated to pay homage to the cities visited and features 16 drinks, including non-alcoholic options, ensuring a beverage to appeal to every palate. Highlights include:

Mandarin Oriental Singapore Dining – MO Bar

• The T And T was inspired by Hong Kong, when Michele worked alongside Jay Khan of COA. With a tequila base, the drink utilises lemon verbena and fig leaves, ingredients sourced from a farm in northern Hong Kong.
• The Harvest Queen features Agricole Rhum from south of Hanoi, combined with apple and guava in a shaken, fruity tipple.
• The Chiang Mai-inspired Expedition celebrates the coffee plantations of the region and combines green coffee, grapefruit and vermouth.
• The Silk Market, a temperance cocktail with Mandarin cordial, fermented honey and corn is served in a unique vessel made of preserved cloth from pineapple fibre.

Widely known as “the city in a garden”, Singapore is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway or luxurious retreat. Located in the heart of Marina Bay, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore’s prestigious address is highly accessible to various attractions and fun-filled activities. Bed and breakfast rates are available at the hotel, priced from SGD 429 for two people sharing.

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is one of the world’s foremost luxury hotels. It is the only hotel in the city that has been awarded Five-Star status for both accommodation and spa in the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide for eight consecutive years (2012 to 2019). This award-winning property has a prime location, close to the financial hub, with easy access to nearby luxury boutiques and entertainment venues, and minutes away from Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The hotel features an impressive atrium lobby with 527 rooms and suites. Facilities also include the Oriental Club Lounge, an intimate spa, extensive meeting and banqueting facilities, five renowned restaurants and two lounges overlooking the spectacular Marina Bay.

Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominees Return for Walker Arts Center Members

Get into the award season spirit with three weeks of free films just for Walker Arts Center members. The annual presentation of the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominees showcases creativity and innovation in visual storytelling with the best of indie cinema. Now is the perfect time to buy a mewmbership to get ahead of films sure to heat up the awards race in the next few months. The 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards, hosted by actor Audrey Plaza, will be broadcast live exclusively on IFC cable channel at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET on Saturday, February 8, 2020.

2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards
January 14–29, Walker Cinema, Free
Walker, Film Independent, & FilmNorth Members Only

Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart, 2019. Photo courtesy Annapurna Pictures.

Copresented with Film Independent and FilmNorth.

2020 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominees:

Lulu Wang’s The Farewell, 2019. L to R: “Jiang Yongbo, Aoi Mizuhara, Chen Han, Tzi Ma, Awkwafina, Li Xiang, Lu Hong, Zhao Shuzhen.” Courtesy of Big Beach. Photo courtesy A24.

Chinonye Chukwu’s Clemency, 2019. Photo courtesy NEON.

Terrence Malick’s A Hidden Life, 2019. Photo courtesy Fox Searchlight.

Best Feature

Uncut Gems, Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie
A Hidden Life, Terrence Malick
The Farewell, Lulu Wang
Marriage Story, Noah Baumbach
Clemency, Chinonye Chukwu

Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie’s Uncut Gems, 2019. Photo courtesy A24.

Michael Angelo Covino’s The Climb, 2019. Photo courtesy Sony Picture Classics.

Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre’s The Mustang, 2019. Photo courtesy Focus Features.

Best First Feature

Booksmart, Olivia Wilde
Diane, Kent Jones
The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Joe Talbot
See You Yesterday, Stefon Bristol
The Climb, Michael Angelo Covino
The Mustang, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre

Stefon Bristol’s See You Yesterday, 2019. Photo courtesy Netflix.

Best Documentary

Gabrielle Brady’s Island of the Hungry Ghosts, 2019. Photo courtesy Autlook Films.

Honeyland, Tamara Kotevska
Apollo 11, Todd Douglas Miller
American Factory, Julia Reichert
For Sama, Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts
Island of Hungry Ghosts, Gabrielle Brady

Todd Douglas Miller’s Apollo 11, 2019. Photo courtesy NEON.

Tamara Kotevska and Ljubo Stefanov’s Honeyland, 2019. Photo credit Ljubo Stefanov, courtesy NEON.

Sir Bryn Terfel Returns to Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage in Recital with Pianist Natalia Katyukova

Performance Marks Terfel’s First Recital at Carnegie Hall in Ten Years

On Sunday, February 9 at 2:00 p.m., beloved Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel returns to Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage for a recital featuring works by Ireland, Quilter, Brahms, Schumann, Schubert, selections from Vaughan Williams’s Songs of Travel as well as additional selections to be announced from the stage. He is joined by pianist Natalia Katyukova. This concert marks his first recital at Carnegie Hall in ten years; for his complete performance history please click here. The full program is listed below.

Program Information

Sunday, February 9, 2020 at 2:00 p.m., Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage

Sir Bryn Terfel, Bass-Baritone/Natalia Katyukova, Piano

• JOHN IRELAND “Sea Fever”
• JOHN IRELAND “Vagabond”
• JOHN IRELAND “The Bells of San Marie”
• ROGER QUILTER “Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal,” Op. 3, No. 2
• ROGER QUILTER “Weep You No More, Sad Fountains,” Op. 12, No. 1
• ROGER QUILTER “Go, Lovely Rose,” Op. 24, No. 3
• ROGER QUILTER “Fair House of Joy,” Op. 12, No. 7
• JOHANNES BRAHMS Vier ernste Gesänge, Op. 121

1. Denn es gehet dem Menschen wie dem Vieh
2. Ich wandte mich, und sahe an
3. O Tod, wie bitter bist du
4. Wenn ich mit Menschen- und mit Engelszungen redete

• ROBERT SCHUMANN “Belsatzar,” Op. 57
• FRANZ SCHUBERT “Trinklied,” D. 888
• FRANZ SCHUBERT “Ständchen,” D. 889
• FRANZ SCHUBERT “An Sylvia,” D. 891
• ROGER QUILTER Three Shakespeare Songs, Op. 6

1. Come away, death
2. O mistress mine
3. Blow, blow, thou winter wind

• RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Selections from Songs of Travel

1. The Vagabond
2. Whither Must I Wander
3. Bright Is the Ring of Words
4. I Have Trod the Upward and the Downward Slope

Additional selections to be announced from the stage

Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel has established an extraordinary career, performing regularly on the prestigious concert stages and opera houses of the world.

Photo of Sir Bryn Terfel by Mitch Jenkins / DG, Natalia Katyukova by Kristin Hoebermann

After winning the Song Prize at the 1989 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, Sir Bryn made his professional operatic debut in 1990 as Guglielmo in Così fan tutte with the Welsh National Opera. He made his international operatic debut in 1991 as Speaker in Die Zauberflöte at the Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels and made his American debut in the same year as Figaro with the Santa Fe Opera. Other roles performed during his career include Méphistophélès in Faust; both the title role and Leporello in Don Giovanni; Jochanaan in Salome; Scarpia in Tosca; the title role in Gianni Schicchi; Nick Shadow in The Rake’s Progress; Wolfram in Tannhäuser; Balstrode in Peter Grimes; Four Villains in Les contes d’Hoffmann and Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.

Sir Bryn marked his 50th birthday and twenty-five years in the profession with a special gala concert at the Royal Albert Hall, presented by Hollywood star Michael Sheen. The celebrations continued at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre, where he sang Scarpia in a special concert performance of Tosca with the Welsh National Opera.

Recent performances include Holländer in Der fliegende Holländer for the Zürich Opera; Falstaff at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and the world premiere of an original show by Robat Arwyn and Mererid Hopwood—Hwn Yw Fy Mrawd—chronicling the life of the film star and singer Paul Robeson at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff as part of the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Lena Stringari Named Deputy Director and Andrew W. Mellon Chief Conservator at the Guggenheim

Mellon Grant also Enables Creation of New Role, Director of Conservation Engagement

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum announced today a newly endowed leadership position within art conservation. Lena Stringari, who has served at the Guggenheim since 1992, has been named Deputy Director and Andrew W. Mellon Chief Conservator. The position is endowed as part of the fulfillment of a three-year, $3 million challenge grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, awarded in 2016 and then matched two-to-one to raise a total of $9 million to advance the ongoing work of the museum’s Conservation Department.

Lena Stringari Deputy Director and Chief Conservator

As the Deputy Director and Andrew W. Mellon Chief Conservator, Lena Stringari is responsible for the care and treatment of the collection, creation of policy and procedures for collections management, oversight of new conservation construction, participation in strategic planning, and direction of the Guggenheim’s conservation-focused programs, including the Panza Collection Initiative and the Conservation of Computer-Based Art Initiative. Stringari has organized several Guggenheim exhibitions, including Jackson Pollock: Exploring “Alchemy” (2017) and Imageless: The Scientific Study and Experimental Treatment of an Ad Reinhardt Black Painting (2008). She also has conducted and published research and preservation studies for Moholy-Nagy: Future Present (2016), Alberto Burri: The Trauma of Painting (2015–16), and other exhibitions. Recent writings include an essay and entries for the catalogue Thannhauser Collection: French Modernism at the Guggenheim and an essay on Amedeo Modigliani for the Burlington Magazine. Stringari is a founding member of the International Network for the Conservation of Contemporary Art, a member of the International Institute for Conservation and the American Institute for Conservation, and an adjunct professor at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University.

Under the direction of Stringari, the Conservation Department—comprised of conservators, fellows, and interns who specialize in paintings, works on paper, time-based media, and objects of the late nineteenth century to the present—plays an integral role in the research, preservation, and presentation of the Guggenheim’s collection. The conservation team works closely with colleagues at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, as well as with other arts professionals worldwide. They enable research and scholarship and train the next generation of conservators. In an effort to stimulate and contribute to the ongoing dialogue with contemporary artists, writers, architects, curators, and scientists, Stringari and the Guggenheim conservation staff continue to publish, educate, participate in and host symposia, and lecture at conferences and forums around the world. The Mellon grant enables the museum to continue to serve as a global leader in art conservation and to develop educational programs to convey information and best practices related to material culture and the preservation of collections.

The grant also supports the creation of another new position at the Guggenheim, Director of Conservation Engagement. The appointee to this new role will cultivate public awareness of conservation practices by working across departments at the museum to produce educational programming, experiential activities, and digital content that aim to promote the importance of preserving cultural heritage. By making art conservation and conservation science more visible through accessible and active outreach, this position will reinforce the Guggenheim’s efforts to more deeply engage audiences in matters related to long-term collections care and its philosophical framework.