Not all comedians have a stand-up act or are on a sitcom. Some comedians command the opera stage! If a singer with a deep voice that can keep the audience rolling in the aisles with laughter, he is most likely a basso-buffo, or comedic bass. Called “the funniest man in opera” (Philadelphia City Paper, November 2005) Kevin Glavin has been keeping Philadelphia-area opera lovers in stiches since his debut here in 1989. He’s sung 10 roles in 11 operas with the Opera Company of Philadelphia and has performed here in 14 productions. What’s it like to be such a rarified bird as a basso buffo? Maybe you’ve wanted to have a career as a singer but need some advice? Here’s your chance to ask questions of one of the best in the business. Join us as we meet basso-buffo Kevin Glavin who sings the role of the Sacristan in the Opera Company of Philadelphia's production of Puccini’s Tosca in May, 2011. Kevin will fill you in on what's it like to be a singer, from learning his craft to working in foreign countries and more.

This program is brought to you in partnership with The Opera Company of Philadelphia's Sound of Learning™ Program. The Opera Company of Philadelphia strives to develop programs which are student-centered and that meet each student's individual learning styles while offering the opportunity to process the knowledge gained into an integrated whole. The art and music activities of the Sounds of Learning™ program offer students interactive participation which begets ownership of the learning process. This program is multi-layered and infuses many concrete, fun-filled activities for bringing joy into the classroom.

Videoconference Outline

• Introductions and Welcome
  Mike Bolton from the Opera Company of Philadelphia will welcome everyone to the program and ask schools to introduce themselves. Please have a student representative at your school share the name of the school, name of the teacher, subject being studied in this class and something interesting about their town. School mascot is optional.
• Meet basso-buffo Kevin Glavin
  Before handing the questions off to students, OCP’s Mike Bolton will ask a few questions to Kevin to explain what a basso buffo is and how he discovered that he had the talent to excel as a buffo singer.
• Questions for Kevin
  Students should come prepared with questions about Kevin's background, training, his career path to where he is today. They can also ask about traveling and being away from home.  What sort of research does he does when he sings an historic character.  Is he fluent in other languages?  And more. We will call on schools in alphabetical order during this portion of the program. Each school will have an opportunity to ask one question and then we will move to the next school. We will continue the rotation as long as time permits.
• Final Thoughts
  
Final thoughts on opera and opera singing from Kevin Glavin and Mike Bolton

Pre-Videoconference Activities:


Kevin will be singing the role of the Sacristan in the Opera Company’s production of Puccini’s Tosca. In order to have a better understanding of his role in the opera, students should have a grasp of Tosca’s plot by reading through a provided plot synopsis. A downloadable student guide to the opera will also be available. Students should review Kevin’s biography and come prepared with questions about singing, vocal technique, opera, his career, what he does in his spare time, and his role in Tosca.

A note about Program Resources:

If you are interested, The Opera Company provides a 40-page student workbook and an ancillary teacher workbook which is over 70 pages. Also included are a CD-Rom with additional materials and an audio CD of highlights from the opera. Please contact Michael Bolton at bolton@operaphila.org to obtain the guide. Materials are also available for download at http://www.operaphila.org/community/sol-prod4.shtml.

About Kevin Glavin

Kevin Glavin is one of the most impressive talents singing in the Americas today. His incredible versatility as a performer has quickly established a reputation for brilliant and innovative interpretations of the basso buffo repertoire.

Engagements for Kevin Glavin during the 2009-10 season included Hans Foltz in DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG with Cincinnati Opera; both Bartolo in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and Pistola in FALSTAFF with Pittsburgh Opera; Siroco in Chabrier’s L’ÉTOILE with Austin Lyric Opera; and the Sacristan in TOSCA with Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

A frequent guest artist with Lincoln Center’s New York City Opera, Mr. Glavin has delighted audiences there with his funny, fresh interpretations of a wide spectrum of buffo roles, such as the title role in DON PASQUALE, Mustafà in a new production of L'ITALIANA IN ALGERI (debut, 1997), Bartolo in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, Bartolo in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, Don Inigo Gomez in Ravel's L'HEURE ESPAGNOLE, Barone di Trombonok in Rossini's IL VIAGGIO A REIMS, and the Sacristan in TOSCA (Live from Lincoln Center telecast).

Two online articles of interest:

• http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/2005-11-03/opera.shtml
• http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10280/1093129-388.stm