For the past three months, every Sunday at 3 o’clock dozens of singers and lovers of singing from across the world have met to listen topically curated recordings from the past 120 years. Inspired by the success of its Audiophile Society, Bel Canto Boot Camp (BCBC) has expanded their program and collaboration with Guild Hall in a new series, Sunday Matinées. 

Sunday Matinée’s is a weekly salon series exploring the ways in which we listen, react, and connect with opera and the vocal arts. Led by Rachelle Jonck and Derrick Goff, BCBC cofounders, and Steven Tharp, curator of Audiophile Society and expert on all things recorded, we will learn together what to listen for in historical recordings, and where the technology needs our ears and minds to “fill in” what might not be there. The sessions heavily use the chat feature on zoom, allowing participants to “pass notes” in real time while the music is happening. At a BCBC session, we do not have to wait till intermission to share our thoughts and excitement about what we hear! 

The May series shifts the perspective away from Operatic repertoire and towards other critical genres for classical voice, including Choral, Oratorio, and Cantorial traditions.

SCHEDULE 

Choral Recordings: Sunday, May 2
Audiophile Society takes a break from opera to explore the riches of the choral tradition and the changing trends in choral singing during the past century. 

Oratorio: Sunday, May 9
Our listening detour leads us next to oratorio – opera without costumes! Join us as we explore the vast repertoire of these once oft-performed works. There’s more than Messiah!  

The Cantorial Tradition: Sunday, May 16
The vocal and improvisatory training of the hazzan, or cantor in the Jewish tradition, continues to inspire the singer of today. 

Instrumental Listening: Sunday, May 23
Audiophile Society explores what singers and opera lovers can learn from chamber and orchestral music. All the instruments mimic the voice!

Art Songs: May 30 

For the past three months, every Sunday at 3 o’clock dozens of singers and lovers of singing from across the world have met to listen topically curated recordings from the past 120 years. Inspired by the success of its Audiophile Society, Bel Canto Boot Camp (BCBC) has expanded their program and collaboration with Guild Hall in a new series, Sunday Matinées. 

Sunday Matinée’s is a weekly salon series exploring the ways in which we listen, react, and connect with opera and the vocal arts. Led by Rachelle Jonck and Derrick Goff, BCBC cofounders, and Steven Tharp, curator of Audiophile Society and expert on all things recorded, we will learn together what to listen for in historical recordings, and where the technology needs our ears and minds to “fill in” what might not be there. The sessions heavily use the chat feature on zoom, allowing participants to “pass notes” in real time while the music is happening. At a BCBC session, we do not have to wait till intermission to share our thoughts and excitement about what we hear! 

The April series includes a special three-part opera news lecture titled “Opera in the Papers,” facilitated by guest artist, Dr. David Ekstrum and Judith Malafronte. 

SCHEDULE 

An Operatic Easer, Cavalleria Rusticana: Sunday, April 4
Audiophile Society presents its first curated listening of an entire opera- Mascagni’s beloved opera, set on Easter morning.  

Opera in the Papers, Part I: Sunday, April 11
A look at opera criticism in print paired with listening to the critiqued singers and their performances. Facilitated by guest artist, Dr. David Ekstrum and Judith Malafronte 

Opera in the Papers, Part II: Sunday, April 18 

Opera in the Papers, Part III: April 25 

For the past three months, every Sunday at 3 o’clock dozens of singers and lovers of singing from across the world have met to listen topically curated recordings from the past 120 years. Inspired by the success of its Audiophile Society, Bel Canto Boot Camp (BCBC) has expanded their program and collaboration with Guild Hall in a new series, Sunday Matinées. 

Sunday Matinées is a weekly salon series exploring the ways in which we listen, react, and connect with opera and the vocal arts. Led by Rachelle Jonck and Derrick Goff, BCBC cofounders, and Steven Tharp, curator of Audiophile Society and expert on all things recorded, we will learn together what to listen for in historical recordings, and where the technology needs our ears and minds to “fill in” what might not be there. The sessions heavily use the chat feature on zoom, allowing participants to “pass notes” in real time while the music is happening. At a BCBC session, we do not have to wait till intermission to share our thoughts and excitement about what we hear! 

 The March series also includes a special two-part lecture on “The Life and Deaths of Maria Callas,” facilitated by guest artist, Will Crutchfield, and a unique focus on the science behind vocal technique.  

SCHEDULE 

How High Can You Go? Whistle Tone Exploration?: Sunday, March 7
A listening-based dive into the vocal register called whistle tone, enabling sopranos to sing the highest of high notes. BCBC is joined by Dr. Kimberly Gratland James of UNLV, Dr. Dana Long Zenobi of Butler University, and whistle-tone expert soprano Julia Radosz for an explanatory discussion of singing in the rafters! 

The Life and Deaths of Maria Callas: Sunday, March 14
What went wrong with Callas? Will Crutchfield joins BCBC to discuss his 1996 New Yorker article on the mystery (article will be sent once registered). 

Listening to Maria Callas: Sunday, March 21
Steven Tharp is rejoined by Will Crutchfield for a curated listening session to follow the discographical traces left by the diva. 

Looking at Singing: Sunday, March 28
The past several decades saw an explosion of technology developed to understand and explain the human voice – the only instrument we can hear but not see! Join BCBC and our resident voice science experts as we discuss what great singing looks like.