Thursday, November 3, 2016

Interview with Ida Angland, Music Director and Conductor of the Gateway Orchestra

Current Program

The question 'why aren't there more women conductors?' is still a relevant question in the music industry,yet there are now more women succeeding in this glorious vocation. Swimming against the tide of the classical music culture's history of a paucity of women conductors takes courage, persistence, vision, commitment and talent.  These qualities
are what helped Ida Angland succeed in her endeavour to be taken seriously in her
profession and bring classical music to a broader audience.


 I invited Ida Angland, conductor and music director of her own orchestra Gateway Classic Music Society and Orchestra to be a guest because she is one of Connecticut's women leading this frontier. She built her orchestra and produces classical music concerts in local churches and venues. Her mission is  offer an intimate experience of high quality classical music to her community. 

Her charismatic musicianship and breathtaking and abundant invention create
performances filled with exhilarating delight. To find out more about her concerts
go to her website www.gatewayclassical.org


The interview is being broadcast on Cablevision/Altice Channel 88 CT on Tuesday, November 8th at 9pm and  onThursday, November 10th at 5:30pm.  The program will repeat on subsequent Tuesdays and Thursdays on the times until December 2nd 2016


Ida Angland.





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ABOUT IDA ANGLAND

Ida Angland, Artistic Director and Conductor, is dedicated to providing opportunities for artists on the rise and reconnecting audiences to great masterworks through Gateway's performances designed to achieve impact and intimacy. Gateway's Great Works of Art performances with the Gateway Orchestra have received enthusiastic response by audiences in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey and have been described in reviews as ''thrilling,'' ''compelling'' (Greenwich Time) ''a revelation'' ''unforgettable,'' and ''amazing'' (The Italian Voice).  Ms Angland has been characterized as having ''inner genius,'' ''flair,'' ''idealism,'' and ''grit.'' (Italian Voice, Greenwich Time and Opera-L) and being "specially gifted" (Brooklyn Eagle).  ​​Prior  and concurrent to her involvement with Gateway, Ms Angland assistant conducted with the New York Grand Opera for seven years for numerous operas and concerts in Central Park and Carnegie Hall.  She began her music training as a pianist. When she was 12 years old, she was the youngest of four contestants chosen by the National Federation of Music Clubs and the University of North Carolina as the state's ''most promising'' musical talents. She continued her music training at the North Carolina School of the Arts, Peabody Conservatory and Indiana University studying with, among others, Konrad Wolff, Elaine Bonazzi and Margaret Harshaw. Ms Angland sang professionally as a soprano with regional opera companies. Other featured guest appearances have included the Metropolitan Museum of Art and WQXR.






One of Ida's missions is to develop and showcase young talented artists she features
in her concerts
Yezu (Elizabeth)Woo Violin Soloist


Yezu (Elizabeth) Woo, Violinist has performed as a recitalist and soloist in major concert halls and with orchestras worldwide including the North Czech Philharmonic, Slowakishe Radio Symphonie Orchester, Bulgaria Symphony, Romanian National Constanza Orchestra, Venezuela Philharmonic, New Jersey Philharmonic, Bozeman Symphony and the Pyongyang Symphony of North Korea, as well as the Sungnam, KBS, Jeju, Mostly Philharmonic and Gangwon Province's Orchestras of South Korea. She debuted at Carnegie Hall in 2004 as the youngest performer to have performed all of Paganini’s 24 Caprices for solo violin. She has performed outside the realm of classical music with the KBS Korean Traditional Orchestra that presents a fusion of Korean traditional music and classical music. ​​Born in Freiburg, Germany, Ms. Woo returned to Korea as an infant; and, at the age of 10, she moved to the U.S. where she later studied with Albert Markov at the Manhattan School of Music and with Catherine Cho at The Juilliard School. ​​The 2015 Gateway Orchestra Tri-State Tour featured Ms Woo in the Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1.


Xiao Wang, Violin Soloist


Xiao Wang, Violinist, was the first prize winner of the Szigeti International Violin Competition and laureate of the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Competition in addition to having won numerous other prizes and awards. He has performed as a soloist and collaborator with orchestras worldwide including the National Orchestra of Belgium, Kodaly Philharmonic Orchestra in Hungary, Gewandhaus Academisches Orchester in Leipzig, Germany, the Texas Music Festival Orchestra and others. Mr. Wang was quoted by the New York Times as “… wonderfully clean in Sibelius, and he made the most of its expressive opportunities.” He is a passionate chamber musician having collaborated with Phillip Entremont and the American String Quartet, as well as members of the Mendelssohn String Quartet and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr. Wang currently studies with Lucie Robert at the Manhattan School of Music where he has been awarded a full scholarship. The 2015 Gateway Orchestra Tri-State featured Mr. Wang in the Sibelius Violin Concerto

Other feature artists in Gateway Classical Music Society Performances




Lisbeth LLoyd, Soprano, has performed as a soloist throughout the United States, Europe, and the Far East. She has sung with New York City Opera, St. Louis Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and in numerous concert halls throughout the United States. Ms Lloyd’s operatic roles have included Violetta in La Traviata, Musetta in La Boheme, Micaela in Carmen, and the Governess in The Turn Of The Screw. She has premiered many contemporary roles including the role of Blondie in Peter Schickele’s The Abduction of Figaro, which was broadcast on Public Broadcasting and performed at Avery Fisher Hall; Mrs. Charmond in Stephen Paulus’ The Woodlanders; and Livia in The Mask of Evil by Henry Mollicone. Ms Llloyd trained at The Juilliard School, works as a vocal coach and is the Director of Youth Choirs at the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich where, under her directorship, the Youth Choir has performed at St. Peter’s in the Vatican among places. The November 13th New World Initiative concert, will be Ms Lloyd’s first appearance with the Gateway Orchestra.



Guest Artist Violinist Davide de Ascanis

Davide de Ascaniis, Violinist, has toured as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Asia, Canada, USA and Europe. He has appeared in the festival of the Nippon Foundation in Tokyo, Mozarteum Festival in Salzburg, International Music Festival Bled (Slovenia) to high acclaim. He performed as a soloist at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Disney Hall in Los Angeles, Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, National Theater and National Concert Hall of Taipei and Merkin Hall in New York. Born in Italy in 1991 to a family of musicians, Mr. de Ascaniis began studying the violin at the age of eight and made solo appearances with orchestra a year later. He received a Master’s Degree cum laude from the Conservatorio Pedrollo in Vicenza at the age of 16 where he graduated with honors. He also earned a Diploma at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome and currently resides in New York City where he studies with Albert Markov. Mr. de Ascaniis played the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Gateway Orchestra for the 2014 spring mini tour in celebration of Gateway’s tenth anniversary year. 




Ida Angland with Guest Artist Violinist Davide de Ascanis



Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Interview with Captain Mark Schlegel and Peter Bondi on the history of the Sheffield Lighthouse in Norwalk CT

Sheffield Island Lighthouse

Lighthouses embody the maritime heritage of the United States. In Norwalk Connecticut one of these treasures still stands in part due to a great restoration project.  It sits on Sheffield Island one of the islands of the Norwalk Archipelago.  A bright blue ferry rides out to the island each summer and early fall bringing visitors the opportunity to explore history and the natural beauty of the islands and it's wildflowers and wildlife.  Enchanted from my trip to the island, I was curious to hear more about it's History. Captain Mark Schlegel and Peter Bondi were my guests on a program about Sheffield Island.




                                                     A historic post card featuring the Lighthouse


Captain Mark Schlegel talked about the history of the Lighthouse and the many lighthouse keepers who cared for it and the past and do still.  






Logo of the Norwalk Seaport Association
Leaving the Dock at Norwalk Harbor

The Sheffield Island Ferry

 

Sunset Cruise on the Ferry





Wildlife on Sheffield Island



Peter Bondi with his mates in costume on the Island
 

                                                        Clambake on Sheffield Island











For more Information contact

http://www.seaport.org







Monday, May 23, 2016

Interview with Shakespeare on the Sound on Hamlet















Poster for Shakespeare on the Sound's Hamlet
I welcomed the members of Shakepeare on the Sound responsible for this summer's
production of Hamlet in Pinkney Park in Rowayton CT. We chatted about this year's
challenging production. Claire Kelly, artistic director, Brian Prather, set designer,
Grier Colman, costume designer, and Jamie Roderick, lighting designer, are combining their talents to create a wonderful run of Shakespeare evenings in the park this summer. We taped two programs.  In the first program artistic director Claire Kelly and set designer Brian Prather discussed the themes of the play, the challenges inherent in this
most famous of Shakespeare's play, and the process of developing the set and creating
a world that can transport the audience in the park to Denmark in winter.
The play is set in the time period right after World War II. 
Claire Kelly talked about her focus on a strong theme of fear throughout the interpretation
of Shakespeare's most famous theatrical work. I mentioned the how in my research the
I discovered that Shakespeare wrote the play after the death of his eleven year old son Hamnet and just before the death of his father. Harvard professor Stephen Greenblatt attributes the death of Hamnet and Shakespeare's grief to the complexity and depth of
the play that has made it so renowned. 

Actor Joey Santia to play Hamlet and Artistic Director Claire Kelly

Ms. Kelly has cast the role of Hamlet with the young actor, 21-year-old Joey Santia. She chose him at the age, and the stage of life, that Shakespeare may have envisioned for the character of Hamlet. Casting somebody of Santia's age in the famous role contrasts with
some of the noteworthy Hamlets of the professional theatre. Ms. Kelly feels that the
authenticity of the actor youthful emotions and confusion will be worth the departure
from the conventional casting.  To match the youthfulness of Hamlet, the rest of the
cast is younger as well.


 http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2004/10/21/the-death-of-hamnet-and-the-making-of-hamlet/


The interviews will be broadcast on Cablevision's Channel 88 Ct on Tuesday May 31st at 9pm and Thursday June 2nd at 5:30pm. It will repeat on subsequent Tuesdays and Thursdays at the above times until the July 7th.

Claire Kelly Artistic Director Shakespeare on the Sound


Brian Prather Set Designer


Set Designer Brian Prather talked about the challenges and opportunities of creating a set in Pinkney Park.His design will reflect the dynamics the traditions of the Kings court and the more renaissance spirit of the educated and traveled young Hamlet. His set will reflect both these worlds. The stage will be both a proscenium arch yet have structures that reach out into the audience to create more intimacy with the play's viewers.




In the second show I talked with costume Designer Grier Coleman.  She explained the

costume designer's process from sketch to finished wardrobe in creating costumes that will

illustrate the world of the play.  


Grier Coleman Costurme Designer

Jamie Roderick, lighting designer, joined our behind the scenes conversation. He emphasized the importance of lighting and it's ability to create the right mood to
underscore the dramatic action and help with audience in imagining the court of Denmark.He described some of the challenges in countering the elements of an outdoor production, for example when the ghost scene in the play which would normal be depicted in darkness of night and yet in reality the production is still in daylight. 



Jamie Roderick Lighting Desinger





View of the Five Mile River that leads to the Sound from Pinkney Park


Shakespeare on the Sound takes place at Pinkney Historic Park, which is located at 177 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton, CT, and adjacent to Pinkney House. Visitors can enjoy fine views of the Five Mile River and then a walk through the village of Rowayton which is lined with shops and eateries. From June 16 - July 3, 2016, this will be the home of this year's production of "Hamlet



 Hamlet will run from Thursday, June 16 - Sunday, July 3, 2016, Mondays are dark

Apprentice Program



Shakespeare on the Sound, the award winning outdoor Shakespeare Theater based in Norwalk, CT, is seeking applicants for the 2016 Apprentice Company. Opportunities exist in the following disciplines: acting, directing, stage management, education, playwriting, technical design, costume design, marketing and social media, and production/company management.  Shakespeare on the Sound is searching for early career/emerging artists and administrators.  Successful candidates will be self-motivated, dedicated, inquisitive, collaborative, enthusiastic, and capable of working in a fast-paced, challenging, multi-faceted environment.  Apprentices function as an integral part of the organization and will have the opportunity to work directly with the accomplished and professional artists creating the main stage production.  Additionally, apprentices will be expected to attend master classes and create/organize the annual Budding Bards new play event.  Requirements: applicants must be between 18-25, in college or recent graduates.  Time commitment for most apprentices is early May through the second week in July.  Some apprenticeships may begin earlier.  The position is unpaid.  Travel compensation to and from NYC rehearsal space and CT will be provided.  Housing is not available.  Application forms and apprenticeship descriptions are available on the Shakespeare on the Sound website, www.shakespeareonthesound.org.  Deadline to apply is March 1, 2016 to be considered for the 2016 Apprentice Company.  Send completed application to Claire Kelly, Artistic Director and Director of Education at claire@shakespeareonthesound.org .
The apprentice company will consist of up to fifteen selected applicants of diverse backgrounds, ages 18 to 25, with a passion for and commitment to the theater, and especially those who are interested in pursuing theater careers. Major duties will take place May thru early July.



Play Summary.

This drama is one of the great tragedy-themed plays by William Shakespeare. The themes of the plot include indecision, revenge, retribution, deception, ambition, loyalty and fate.  Prince Hamlet mourns the death of this father, and the remarriage of his mother, Queen Gertrude, to Claudius.  The ghost of Hamlet's father appears to him and tells him that Claudius has poisoned him, to which Hamlet swears revenge.  He kills the eavesdropping Polonius, the court chamberlain.  Polonius' son, Laertes, returns to Denmark to avenge his father's death.  Polonius' daughter, Ophelia, loves the Prince, but his behavior drives her to madness. A duel takes place and ends with the death of many...


Themes of the Play :Fear, Mortality, Grief, Madness, Impossibility of Certainty, Complexity of Action, Guilt, Shame




History of the Play.  In Shakespeare time there were already revenge Plays about Hamlet.
Shakespeare may have been drawn to write a play about Hamlet since the name of his
son a twin was  Hamnet Shakespeare who died and was buried 11 August 1596) was the only son of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway, and the fraternal twin of Judith Shakespeare. Shakespeare write Hamlet around 1600 and create a much more complex and deeper version of the revenge play. There is a theory that Shakepeare's grief about his
sons death and his father's old age and passing a year after the play may have inspired the depth of the play. 




Some famous actors who played Hamlet







Kenneth Branagh



Alec Guniness


Laurence Olivier


Ben Whipshaw



Benedict Cumberbatc



Mel Gibson with Glenn Close as Queen Gertrude



Jude Law
John Barrymore

David Tennant

Richard Burton
Mark Rylance

Ophelia has been capture in artists paintings below is a beautiful depiction of Ophelia
drowning in the lake by John Everett Millias









Some of the famous actress to play Ophelia

Jean Simmons



Helene Bonham Carter

Vivian Leigh




Kate Winslet's Ophelia with Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet
























Sarah Bernhardt as Hamlet




William Shakespeare


Quotes and phrases from Hamlet incorporated in language usage today

Neither a borrower nor a lender be (Hamlet)
Conscience does make cowards of us all
Dog will have his day

In my heart of hearts

In my mind's eye (Hamlet)

Infinite space

Though this be madness, yet there is method in it

Ministering angel
More honored in the breach than in the observance
More in sorrow than in anger
[What] a piece of work [is man
Sweets to the sweet
There's the rub
This mortal coil
To thine own self be true




Shakepeare on the Sound's production of Hamlet is performed in Pinkney Park.
Prior to the beginning of the play friends and families come early to the park to
picnic, bringing blankets or chairs and wine and food and it makes for a delightful summer evening. The play begins in the sunlight and ends with in the darkness  of night under
the stars.










Thursday, March 24, 2016

Interview with volunteers for Bernie Sanders about Election 2016

I endorse Bernie Sanders as the best candidate to become the President.  He stands for all
the things I believe in.  Curious about finding out more about his success in reaching the minds and hearts of the many citizens that support him, especially young people, I invited three BERNIE campaign volunteers to appear as my guests. Nina Sherwwood, Adrian Everett, both young supporters and Dan Troph, a mature volunteer, who has been involved with Democracy Now. They joined me in a conversation about why Bernie Sanders is the best choice for changing the country to be a better place for all it's citizens. Connecticut's Primary date is April 26th, 2016 and the show may inform viewers about the issues and give our citizens a closer look at Bernie Sanders positions on
issues of importance.


                                                                      Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders political statement A FUTURE WE CAN BELIEVE IN,  is especially
appealing to young people as they want a better future for themselves. Bernie's
authenticity and honesty rings true to his supporters, who passionately are behind his
campaign.  Sanders has raised his campaign financing from small donors. He therefore
is free of any special interest pressures to compromise on what he believes is best for
all Americans.

Our conversation about Bernie Sanders campaign will be broadcast on Cablevision's Channel 88 CT on  Thursday April 7th at 5:30pm. and Tuesdays April 12th at 9pm
The second interview will air on Thursday April 14th at 5:30pm and Tuesday April 19th
at 9pm and Thursday April 21st at 5:30pm  These programs will repeat on subsequent Tuesdays  and Thursdays for the rest of April.  The Primary in Connecticut is April 26th.




Nina Sherwood a volunteer for Bernie Sanders with fellow volunteers

                  for more information on Bernie Sanders go to www.berniesanders.com








Bernie Sanders at a well attended Rally


Articles about Bernie Sanders

Oliver Stone talks about Why I'm for BERNIE
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/oliver-stone/why-im-for-bernie-sanders_b_9576984.html
New York Observer How Bernie Gets Things Done without being Bought off

http://observer.com/2016/03/how-bernie-gets-things-done-in-congress-without-being-bought-off/