My personal music resume
I will start this blog with giving you a little personal history. I come from a very musical family. My grand father loved to yodel in the Swiss Alps. My grandmother was a singer. My mother was a singer and a conductor most of her life. She was one of the first females to sing commercials on the radio. My mother played classical music nearly every day at home. I think there were times we (the kids, and dad) got a little tired of the genre. My mother Shirley, was a beautiful soprano and could hit the high notes with pure lustre and sound. My brother and sister were blessed with other talents, but Thomas was blessed with nearly a perfect pitch. I played the part of Hansel in Hansel and Gretel in elementary school. I even remember taking tap dance as directed from momma Shirley. I was never a great dancer.
My mother Shirley Stephenson Schmuki during her later years
My early years as a singer
In elementary school and junior high school I played the cello. I stopped playing it after 3 or so years because of the ribbing I got from my peers and also it was a very difficult instrument to carry to and from school up and down OAK street in 2-3 feet of snow in Colorado. It seems it was almost bigger than me. I was very involved in vocal music in junior high and high school. I sang in the choir and a select group of 20 or so singers Madrigal style. I think there were about 4 singers per part (bass, tenor, soprano and altos). I was selected many times by my choir conductor Monte Otto to sing solos in our performances. I also played the part of “The Padre” in Man of LaMancha. To this day I still remember all the songs and most of the lines of Man of LaMancha.
Vocal Scholarship at BYU awarded
During the second half of my senior year in high school I tried out for a vocal scholarship from a professor from Brigham Young University. He toured the country with tryouts requiring the candidates to sing six areas in Latin, Italian, Spanish, French, German and English. After much preparation I was ready. About 2,000 candidates across the country tried out for 20 spots. I received the letter from BYU, that I was selected for the scholarship. My choice was then made for me, OFF to BYU I go with my golden voice attached. Amongst other things, I became the president of a 100+ all male member chorus.
I am retired from singing
It has been 40 years since I actually sang. Maybe some day I will put out to the world why I actually quit singing. In any case, I was very involved in music, classical vocal music to be specific. I also sang vocal jazz and was the lead singer for “Miss Utah Review” with many previous winners of the Miss Utah pageant including a previous Miss USA. For many years, I was the guy with the microphone in my hands and a supporting cast behind me. Yes fans, I did have one talent in life, it was singing. Now I believe I have another talent…. photography. When I am dead and gone perhaps my work will get noticed.
The music of Rome
So when I talk about the music of Rome, I have a perspective that may be different than the normal tourist. We have grown so attached to Rome because of the arts, the people and of course the music. We have attended 2 music operas at 2 different venues. Just last night we attended a classical music orchestral concert with Antonio Pappano (director) and special guest pianist Igor Levit. It was such an amazing experience, We are many hours past the event and my heart is still full with the joy of it all.
Opera Concert- Roma opera greatest hits
At the Saint Andrew’s Church of scotland
This magical opera concert was in a beautiful church with perfect acoustics, a small venue and very personal. Highly recommended.
Alice with the two wonderful Opera singers at the Saint Andrews Church
Two opera singers in Rome
The 3 tenors
St pauls within the walls
We found this venue a little disappointing after our first great intimate experience a few nights earlier. The main problem was the acoustics of the church although it was very beautiful. Not nearly as intimate as there were hundreds in the crowd. Not being able to see, nor really hear properly was the main problem.
The 3 Tenors - Rome
What is the difference between Rome and the US
So what is so different about attending musical events in Rome versus the United States? Last night it was clear with the thousands of attendees, most all were LOCALS and NOT tourists. Most all were refinely dressed to the NINE and clearly were there because they understood and appreciate classical music. It was a great experience. The audience was SO respectful, during the extremely soft part of the music in pianissimo. You could hear a pin drop. Not a cough, no kids crying, no paper shuffling, pure respect for the artist and the music. I remember singing solos and had the feeling of intense silence and reverence and the …. you could hear a pin drop. This is the feeling all musical artists yearn for.
Parco Della Musica Ennio Morricone
I must also mention the comfort and spacing of the seats in the beautiful auditorium Parco Della Musica Ennio Morricone unlike the seating at Kravis and Broward Performance Center where you feel your 6’1” knees hit the back of the seat in front of you. First class please, my old man knees demand it!
Igor Levit - pianist of the century
The pianist last night, Igor Levit has been touted as one of the greatest piano players alive. Truly a genius. I have never observed a musician with more talent who could “FEEL” the music like no other.
The streets of Rome
A few days ago we were wanting the streets in front of the forum and just shy of the coliseum, and we heard a beautiful OPERA voice. An older man in the form of Luciano Pavarotti and perhaps his SON were singing opera on the street with the backdrop of the FORUM behind them. Pavarotti was truly amazing and we stayed for his full set of music. I will include some videos and photos so you can appreciate what we observed. When his set was over, I was holding back my tears. Music still gets to me.
Street Opera singer
Just take a walk, music is every where
Musicians are everywhere playing nearly every genre, and frankly it seems a bit out of place when the genre is not opera or classical. None the less, I so enjoy it all. Pop, rock, classical, country, opera… bring it on Rome!
Street musician playing for a tip
Why go to Rome?
So why go to ROME? One HUGE answer is the music. Go to the OPERA concerts, attend the concerts and be prepared to be WOWED.
Yodilay, Yodilay, Yodalay Hi HOOOO. Sing it Grandpa Stephenson.