The Raylynmor Monadnock Opera Company performed at KSC on Sunday, Oct. 16 in the Redfern Arts Center Alumni Recital Hall.
The company primarily showcases repertoire that was composed by German-French Composer Jacques Offenbach.
The performance featured soprano Francesca Frederico, mezzo-soprano Amy Maude Helfer, tenor Omar Najmi, baritone Bryan Murray, and pianist and KSC music faculty Vladimir Odinokikh.
Helfer described the performance to be, “Primarily music of Offenbach, who was an incredibly prolific composer, but also composers for whom he influenced.”
One of the pieces sung by Helfer was “Champagne Trio” from Die Fledermaus, composed by Austrian Composer Johann Strauss II.
“[Oftentimes] traditionally, a female singer portrays the role of a man, in an operatic tradition,” Hefler said. “I sang that role in the [“Champagne Trio”].”
Hefler said that opera allows the performers to explore different characters within the performance.
“The opera is very complex, there’s a gazillion characters and the same singers sing multiple roles within the show,” Helfer said. “It’s a really varied program but beautiful music.”
Helfer also performed as Antonia’s mother in “Tu ne chanteras plus?” composed by Offenbach, and a drunk woman in “Ah, quel diner,” also composed by Offenbach.
Leading up to the performance, Helfer had to practice her French and rehearse constantly.
“I have a friend in Connecticut who’s a pianist, he’s actually French-Canadian so I went to him and he helped me with my French,” Helfer said. “I [did] a lot of listening to get the shape of [the repertoire] in my ears… Sitting at the piano drilling notes.”
Helfer mentioned that every opera singer offers their own style to each piece.
“I’m not trying to mimic any other [singer’s] performance, but instead trying to understand the shape of the piece.”
Odinokikh accompanied each singer on the piano.
“It’s quite challenging [because] operas are usually written for orchestras,” Odinokikh said. “… Of course the piano could not compete with an orchestra, but it still gives you the sound to push your imagination.”
Odinokikh has been performing with the company for 20 years.
“I have been working with the Raylynmor Opera since… around 2002,” Odinokikh said. “I was really impressed with the place, no [full orchestra] but they still treasure opera.”
Odinokikh mentioned that he was excited to perform with the company again as performances were paused due to COVID-19.
“Because of COVID[-19], it was bad luck because a few productions were canceled at the last moment,” Odinokikh said. “… “I’m very excited to be able to do this.”
Helfer hopes that this performancer sparked the audience’s interest to explore the repertoire on their own time.
“I want people to leave and be like, ‘Oh my gosh, let me go listen to more and attend more opera performances,’” Helfer said. “It’d be lovely if they take an interest in us… to really understand just how incredible this output was.”
Nicole Dumont can be contacted at
ndumont@kscequinox.com
