Two of American opera\u2019s most prominent stars are aligning with the Aspen Music School and Festival to start a program to develop and foster a resurgence among young opera singers and pianists.<\/p>\n
Renee Fleming, who had her first performance years ago at the Wheeler Opera House on her way to becoming one of the world\u2019s top soprano voices, will reunite with renowned conductor Patrick Summers to host an Aspen Music School summer program starting next year, according to an announcement Monday from the Music School.<\/p>\n
The new, eight-week program called the Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS will train high-level young singers and vocal collaborative pianists for a career in opera and concertizing, the Music School said in its announcement.<\/p>\n
They will be joined by the Aspen Opera Center\u2019s longtime leader Edward Berkeley, who will continue as the stage director for the program, which will host two operas during the students\u2019 time here. Berkeley and Fleming worked together in Aspen in their early years, so getting them together was a great fit, Aspen Music School and Festival president and CEO Alan Feltcher said Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe collective wisdom, experience, savvy and sheer brilliance among the two of them, and their assembled team, including Ed, will offer an unparalleled educational experience to young singers pursuing a career in opera,\u201d Fletcher said in the news release, \u201cand the combination of intensive education and mentorship with professional performance captures the very essence of our Aspen program.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fletcher, who has been \u201clifelong friends\u201d with Fleming, said in a phone interview that talks started about three years ago on developing a new program, and her background here helped seal the idea.<\/p>\n
Fleming, who is performing this week with the Santa Fe Opera and was not available Monday, said in the release she feels fortunate to give back to the place where she learned.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the start of my career, I was incredibly fortunate to be trained at the Aspen Music Festival and School,\u201d Fleming said. \u201cI feel just as lucky to have the chance to return to this beautiful place and share all I\u2019ve learned in the intervening years with the best emerging talent in opera.\u201d<\/p>\n
She and Summers, who is currently the artistic and music director of Houston Grand Opera, have performed in some of the country\u2019s great opera houses, from the Met to San Francisco, Houston and Lyric Opera of Chicago. They\u2019ve been together on concert stages from Carnegie Hall to the Ch\u00e2telet in Paris.<\/p>\n
The new program will host 14 students, and auditions will be held around the country, Fletcher said.<\/p>\n
This is a developing story that will be updated.<\/p>\n