Lanzarote Ensemble Orchestra
Ayoze Nicolás Rodríguez Martín, conductor
Lanzarote Opera Festival and Academy
Jameos del Agua Auditorium
Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
June 5, 2024
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I’m surprised and honored. I began studying voice last year in the US as a complete beginner without any classical or operatic background and speaking only English, and this year I found myself singing a varied repertoire from opera, oratorio, art song, and musical theater in multiple languages on a festival stage in Spain (video links to all of my performances are at the very bottom).
I am deeply grateful to my parents and siblings. Without their unconditional support I would not be where I am today, having reached an important milestone in my vocal journey so quickly. I would like to profoundly thank my voice teacher and mentor Bülent Güneralp (@bulentguneralp) for being a truly amazing and pivotal figure in my life who, in just a year, inspired personal, vocal and artistic growth in ways that I could never have imagined. I would also like to offer my gratitude to pianist and conductor Peter Freisinger, Tufts Opera Ensemble director Carol Mastrodomenico, as well as other teachers and friends who kindly offered me their knowledge and expertise along the way.
I greatly appreciate the Lanzarote Opera Academy and Festival’s welcoming and warm approach to singers of all experience levels who are looking for inclusive opportunities to grow as artists. I thank the world-class faculty for their great work and support. This was a wonderful learning experience: Anastasia (@anastasiainnisssoprano7759) Jahmai Inniss, Byron Knutson, and Brian Moll.
I conclude with Bülent Güneralp’s own words:
“Let’s celebrate an unheard-of accomplishment. Congratulations, Kenan Oktay!
April 5, 2023. Kenan applies to my voice studio. Almost zero vocal training. No exposure to opera or classical singing. Great talent and focus.
Not years, but after only 10 months filled with love of singing, dedication, discipline, consistent training, weekly lessons (mostly on Skype using Appcompanist (@appcompanist6398) for almost all repertoire during his school-related travels in Europe, and some in person in Massachusetts), implementing everything I recommend to my students (from doing the Vocathletic workout daily to diet and functional body weight training), natural growth, and lots of fun, he transforms himself from a novice into a fast-progressing tenor with professional goals and…
February 6, 2024. Kenan records two audition arias in France with conductor and pianist Peter Freisinger, applies to Lanzarote Opera Festival & Academy, is offered a place, goes to the festival in May, works with world-class faculty (www.lanzaroteoperafestivalandacademy.com/faculty.html), and returns to the US.
Repertoire Kenan performed at the festival:
Automne
Fauré
• Automne - Gabriel Faur...
Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön
Die Zauberflöte
Mozart
De’ miei bollenti spiriti
La Traviata
Verdi
• De’ miei bollenti spir...
Kuda, kuda
Eugene Onegin
Tchaikovsky
(sung for a 'mock audition' - not recorded)
Comfort ye my people ... Ev’ry valley shall be exalted
Messiah Oratorio
Handel
• Ev'ry valley shall be ...
Maria
West Side Story
Bernstein
• Maria - West Side Stor...
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#opera #lanzarote #tenor #classicalmusic #orchestra #fauré #mozart #verdi #tchaikovsky #händel #bernstein #canaryislands #singer #classicalsinger #vocalist
27 июл 2024
