Alison Davy - Lyric Coloratura Soprano

Summertime

2011-08-24T21:09:00.003-04:00

People, people, people. It has been WAY too long since I've written here. Life is very good. I have a manager. Yay. More on this soon! Springtime saw many cool projects. Various concerts with Ensemble Leonarda, including a rockin' event at Boston Early Music Festival. Also enjoyed performing Lori Laitman songs this spring with classical saxophonist Javier Oviedo. He is one talented bloke.

Also looking forward to an exciting recording project. More on this topic soon.

Mozart "Mass in C Minor" @ Hunter College

2010-12-11T00:42:00.003-05:00

Ingredients for a fun night in the concert hall: TWO conductors who I admire [Paul Mueller & Matt Rupcich], great soloists [Susan Gonzalez, Chad Cygan, Peter Clark], a fine NYC orchestra and 120 very enthusiastic choristers singing with all their heart. I mean, COME ON! This is FUN!!!

Home for the Holidays

2010-11-30T15:08:00.006-05:00

Westminster, MD [my home town!] and singing with the Carroll Singers. Back in the auditorium of my high school where I logged many hours as a chorister, soloist and participant in many musicals. It's a hoot. My middle school vice principal is in the group and he still has a lovely tenor voice. This group sings well together and they end every x-mas concert with "Hallelujah Chorus" just like we did back in school under the direction of the legendary Daddy Sell.

A prodigy, two divas and a fiddle on fire

2010-11-16T21:17:00.005-05:00

Another party [musically speaking] in Ohio on October 31st. I have so much fun out there with the Newark Granville Symphony Orchestra, they've almost ruined me for any other orchestras I work with. These people play with such skill and heart. Music should always be this fun.

Mary Phillips and I had a GREAT night singing opera and musical theatre favorites. And 7-year-old Gavin George was a hoot. What a gifted young fellow. He and I decided at the end of the night that we should do a gig together sometime. I think it might have been the first time he'd contemplated the word "gig." Since he's already played Carnegie Hall, I'm thinking we could do it there again. : )

A great time was had by all and an audience of 650 people came out [in this economy!] to enjoy old and new compositions.

This is where music lives, people.

Knickerbocker Reunion--Tonight!

2010-08-25T15:46:00.003-04:00

I am so excited about tonight's concert in Great Neck. I'll be sharing the stage with my palz from the former [but never really extinct] Knickerbocker Opera Ensemble. The program will have some of our old standards on it [i.e. Lakme duet, Some Other Time quartet, Fledermaus Watch Duet] but some new material is making the appearance. Some Donizetti and some new Mozart. And then I hope we eat at a diner aftewards because it is well known that a) Long Island has great diners and b) I'm always really hungry after I sing.

The upcoming season is also looking good. More on this as it develops!

Ensemble Leonarda

2010-05-15T07:36:00.002-04:00

I had a good time singing Handel, Porpora and Pergolesi with Ensemble Leonarda. Here we are...

Beethoven 9th with NGSO

2010-05-09T16:39:00.008-04:00

We had a great time out in Ohio with NGSO & Denison University Chorus performing "Beethoven 9" to a sold out house. Looking forward to getting out there again in October.

Casta diva & Beethoven 9th

2010-04-06T20:00:00.002-04:00

I'm so looking forward to working with Gene Rohrer this week. I'll be singing "Casta diva" with him at a concert in New York at Turtle Bay Music School. I couldn't be more tickled about it. The aria feels great in my voice. I look forward to doing this role soon.

And of course I can't wait to sing "Beethoven 9th" in a few weeks with NGSO. It's really going to be fun. My friend Mary Phillips will be out there singing with me. Looking forward to all of it.

2009-11-22T20:36:00.006-05:00

Well...what can I say?? Today was a total high for me. I made my Lincoln Center debut to a packed house at Bruno Walter Auditorium. Not only that, but my husband, big brother and dear friends were there to cheer me on.

I'm a happy camper. Here are a few photos.

Next stop, the Midland Theatre in Newark, Ohio for the Vivaldi "Gloria" with one of my top fave conductors, Tim Weiss.

2009-10-26T21:02:00.003-04:00

I had a GREAT time last night singing at the Ardsley Country Club in Westchester. I had the honor of meeting Ruth and Ben Armato, who organized the concert. Ben played clarinet with The Metropolitan Opera for 35 years and Ruth was the harpist with the New York Phil for 28 years. These are fascinating people, who I hope to get to know better. They are both inspirational people.

Dinner afterwards in the club dining room was elegant and delicious. The whole event went well...I sang a few of the Louis Spohr songs (in preparation for Lincoln Center on November 22nd) and the chamber ensemble played Brahms, Glinka and Mozart. And the room had a wonderful acoustic. I wish I could sing in there all the time.

More to come...getting ready to return for a Vivaldi "Gloria" on December 6th out at the Midland Theatre in Newark, Ohio. Fun!

2009-10-18T11:00:00.002-04:00

I am very excited today about my recital at 3:00 p.m. at Fourth Unviersalist Society [160 Central Park West, NYC]. I LOVE collaborating with Tom McGinnis. He is a wonderful pianist and I know he will do great things in the Big Apple [he just moved to town a little over a year ago from North Carolina].

The repertoire I'm singing is all music that is near and dear to my heart. I've always wanted to sing Strauss' masterpiece "Morgen" and I finally got my first chance in August when I sang a concert at the beautiful Adirondacks town of Long Lake. Gorgeous place! And I'll get to sing that song and many other of my faves today, including "Summertime."

Heading down to the church soon.

2009-07-06T10:28:00.005-04:00

As usual, I had a FANTASTIC time at my musical home-away-from-home this weekend doing a concert with the Newark Granville Symphony Orchestra under the expert direction of Tim Weiss. He is such a gifted conductor and he is getting gorgeous sound out of the players in his group! It's an honor to work with them. PLUS, they've asked me back for the spring to do Beethoven 9th with them. Very exciting. Here are some pics and I'm about to add a video of the concert that I took. It shows me singing "Summertime" and "O mio babbino". Fun!

July 3rd program with Newark-Granville Symphony

2009-06-22T21:16:00.002-04:00

Here's the program for my July 3rd gig with the Newark-Granville Symphony under the direction of Tim Weiss [who I really enjoy working with!].

Smith
Star Spangled Banner
Alison Davy, soprano

Lowden , Bob arr.
Armed Forces Salute

Ives/Schuman
Variations on "America"

Gershwin
“Summertime” from Porgy and Bess
Alison Davy, soprano

Puccini, Giacomo
“O mio babbino” from Gianni Schicchi
Alison Davy, soprano

Porter, Cole
"So in Love" from Kiss Me, Kate
Alison Davy, soprano

Loewe, Frederick
"Show Me" from My Fair Lady
Alison Davy, soprano

Schuman
Chester from New England Triptych

***Intermission***

Larson, Peter, arr.
Ventura Highway

Larson, Peter, arr.
Dance the Night Away

Sousa, John Philip
Liberty Bell

Gould, Morton
American Salute

Berlin, Irving
“America”
Alison Davy, soprano

Miller, Ken arr.
An American Spectacular
Alison Davy, soprano

Tchaikovsky, Pyotr
1812 Overture

Sousa, John Phillip
Semper Fidelis

Williams, John
Raiders March

Sousa, John Philip
Washington Post

Sousa, John Philip
Stars and Stripes Forever

2009-06-17T14:51:00.002-04:00

"South" photos...

2009-06-17T11:53:00.003-04:00

Here are some more photos!

2009-06-17T11:41:00.002-04:00

The show is going really, really well. Here's a photo of Captain Spar, played by the amazing Bill Tost [of "Fantastiks" fame for 20 years!]. It's an honor to share the stage with him!

"South"--A Nautical Musical--Standing Ovation Last Night!

2009-06-13T13:26:00.005-04:00

Hello:

I am excited to announce the opening of "SOUTH"--A nautical musical. I am featured in the show in various roles including a crazy nun, a pirate and Queen of an island of lesbian cannibals. Plus, there's a big hairy spider that attacks one of the characters, a greasy cook singing an ode to his magic bone and lots of toe-tappin' tunes.

Below are the details and a review that appeared on www.theatermania.com from a fan who came to a preview.

Three weekends in June: 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 @ 7:30 pm
Dixon Place
161 Chrystie Street, NYC
$18 General admission, $12 Seniors and students
212-219-0736
www.dixonplace..org
Reservations are probably a good idea.

Advanced tickets can be bought here.

And you can find out a bit more about the show here.

Hope to see you there!

*********
REVIEW FROM THEATERMANIA:
For those who appreciate creative, talented, off beat, poignant, funny, you'll LOVE "South"! The lovechild of Carmen Borgia, a quirky, hip, brilliant musician, with Bill Pace directing, it's no surprise "South" takes you on an unexpected journey. It's refreshing when a musical surprises you with a destination you never imagined getting to. Since Broadway has turned Hollywood, you need to go downtown for all the exhilirating original pieces, which "South" has aplenty! Not only is the writer a truly accomplished musician/singer/songwriter, but the cast is filled with top notch performers. This talented cast will impress in all the right ways. With Doug Skinner (Bill Irwin's partner-in-crime for years), Bill Tost (The Fantastiks), alongside Broadway baby Robb Sherman, Sadrina Johnson, Michael D'Emidio and Alison Davy you'll want to have seen "South" when it opens with the original cast. You'll be one of the cool kids who can say, "I was there when 'South' was in a 100-seat theater in the East Village, how cool is that??"

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2006-07-22T20:57:00.000-04:00

Well, this was the Saturday when everything that could go wrong, did. We were so excited about finding the right spot last weekend (see my July 15 Blog). The little tunnel near the clock tower in the zoo was perfect. So, we went back there again.

We had been singing for about 15 minutes when, right before my big high note at the end of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” a very stern looking security guard came and stood right in front of us—like 2 feet away—and scowled. I think I managed, in between spinning a lyric line and breathing to say, “Only four more measures!” before we finished the tune. He shook his head and said, “You can’t sing here. You can’t perform anywhere inside the gates of the zoo.” Where was that guy LAST week when we were here?

We were sad yet compliant. We picked up our things and started to wander like gypsies in the desert looking for an acoustic home. Our first try was right outside the south gate of the zoo. There was a little area where 3 paths met to form a “Y” and there was a lot of foot traffic. We were feeling hopeful when a guy came walking up to us and pointed to a large black duffle bag sitting on a nearby bench and said, “That’s my bag, that’s my place, I’ve been here for 10 years, even before they reopened the zoo. I mean, you can stand here for a few minutes, but it’s my place and when it gets busy, I’m going to have to kick you out.” Dagnabit!!!! It turns out he was a very nice juggler who did know the lay of the land and was a colleague of the balloon guy who stood a few feet away, making balloon animals and nodding at what the juggler was saying. They were both polite and informative and I was digging the busker fellowship. They suggested we try standing just outside the zoo’s south gate, which we did.

Meanwhile, the sky was darkening and it was becoming clear that a storm was brewing. So, we knew we were on borrowed time. We finally placed ourselves in an attractive, leafy corner just outside the south gate. It was a great spot…until the skies opened up and the 40-day flood started. At that point, we huddled together, sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” a number of times and then retired to the café for a beer.

Highlights were: 1) Doug Skinner, the composer of our rounds, staying the WHOLE time sitting under his umbrella and listening intently, 2) Gregory Peterson, our friend from the Blue Hill Troupe, showing up and singing along with us AND 3) a really sweet looking family sitting across the way in rain slickers who actually sent their teenage son over as an emissary with a soaked dollar to place in our basket. The audience-performer connection had been made, even in the midst of a deluge!

It was a moist, yet satisfying, day in the park.

Central Park Zoo

2006-07-15T18:49:00.000-04:00

OK…we finally figured it out. We found “OUR SPOT”—the one where we sounded great, felt great, added to the overall ambience and had lots of audience members. The Central Park Zoo! We placed ourselves right near the clock tower with the animals on it, inside a very small tunnel, where the acoustic ROCKS! It was so fun. My husband Carmen recorded some great takes that we will post here soon.

This week we were joined by Peter Buchi, tenore fabuloso, arrived fresh from “the continent” where he was singing concerts in Milan and Rome. His energy was a great addition to the group and we had a really good time.

We all agreed that the best part of this day was watching many little children walk up to our picnic basket and place a dollar in it. OK…this was cool not ONLY because they were giving us dough, but also because of the way in which they did it. For the most part, they were mesmerized, trance-like, guided by some mysterious invisible force moving them inexorably toward the basket, dollar-bill in hand. I’m sure that for some of them, it was the first time they had heard live classical singers and you could tell they were digging it. Well, I guess a few of them were kind of freaked out. But most of them were digging it. I told Jane Buchi that during her lovely Gilbert and Sullivan solo from “Ruddigore” there was one little girl (about 7 years old), who had this look on her face like, “That’s it! That’s what I’m going to do when I grow up! I don’t know what it is, or where it came from, but that’s DEFinitely IT!” That was cool.

This Saturday, we will be in the same spot—the tunnel near the clock tower in the zoo— starting at 11:00 a.m. We hope you’ll join us. We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo, how ‘bout you, you, you?

Second Performance

2006-07-08T15:44:00.000-04:00

The second Central Park Choraliers performance was a success all around. We applied what we learned on June 17th to good effect.

This time we placed ourselves in a great location—near the Delacorte Theatre where intrepid New Yorkers stood on line (many since 5:00 a.m.) waiting for Shakespeare in the Park tickets. They are doing “THE SCOTTISH PLAY” this year and the audience was ready for a great show. However, they were tired by the time we got there at 11:30 a.m. and, I think, VERY grateful to have us entertain them while they waited.

We added two rounds to our program by New York’s own Doug Skinner. Doug came and seemed pleased with our presentation. The text of my favorite round is: “Government without religion is like a lunatic without a knife”—it’s just such a friendly little number—seriously! We also added an old American hymn entitled “Tenting on the Old Campground.” The song is, sadly, still relevant today with its message of peace and of how terrible war is.

While I have no specific anecdotes to report this week, my overall impression of the day was a deep sense of gratification. It felt good to engage with New Yorkers who were there on purpose to take in art. These folks are the Upper West Side’s answer to tailgaters in the Midwest. They are more than willing to come to Central Park in the pitch black of early morning, throw down an air mattress and lawn chairs and wait for 7 hours for tickets just so they can hear one of Shakespeare’s most wonderfully villainous female characters utter the classic line: “Out, out damned spot!” and watch her lead her hubby to his downfall. I mean, IS THIS A GREAT TOWN OR WHAT??????

I also want to mention my classy colleagues. I’m honored to be appearing with such a sterling group of musicians.

See you this Saturday, I hope!

Near Bethesda Fountain

2006-06-17T19:56:00.000-04:00

The Central Park Choraliers’ inaugural concert was SO MUCH FUN!

Many people came to show their support and enjoy the musical mixed bag. And numerous passersby stopped and listened. The weather was nice…sunny and breezy. I think it was humid but I was in the performance zone, and didn’t really notice it.

My favorite first-day-out story involved a competing busker. There was a gentleman, who is apparently there every week, playing the lute (hooked up to a teeny, weeny amplifier, mind you). He was dressed in Renaissance regalia, complete with purple velvet tunic and gold buttons. He seemed like a gentle soul. And although normally I would never ask another musician to break up his park routine, Mr. Renaissance-amplifed-lute-dude was now our direct competitor for sonic space. Alright, alright…we were actually in HIS space since he plays there every Saturday. But still, this was the PERFECT place for us…there’s a grassy knoll, a view of the lake and a good amount of foot traffic.

I knew the first day would be a learning experience so, with a hey nonny, nonny, I sidled up to ye olde lute player. I had a little speech prepared that went something like: “Hey, Hi, How are you? Beautiful day, eh? Listen, I’m sorry to bother you but I was just wondering if…[he cut me off at this point]…you ever take breaks? You see, we’re an a capella act and just have a short 25-minute program that we’re trying out.” He was SO not impressed. He just looked at me with an expression that said, “I cannot beLIEVE this is happening to me again!!!” He shook his head and emphatically said, “Nope. You can move down the hill that way or go up the hill that way. I’m here every weekend.” Well, that was the end of that. I walked back up the hill, the loud beat of hip-hop and Copoeira emanating over the bushes from nearby Bethesda Fountain, and realized I was going to have to let go of my vision of the exact right place to stand. But you know what? It worked out fine! We launched into our Gilbert and Sullivan madrigal and I knew immediately it was going to be OK and it was…a good time was had by all.

Come hear us for yourself this Saturday, July 8th. We’ll be near the Delacorte Theatre from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. serenading people standing in line for Shakespeare in the Park tickets.