A Foremost Opera Star in a Most Accoustically Perfect Theater
These days, we don't have much occasion for a performance without amplified sound. But back
in 1939, at the time of the Union Theater construction, amplified sound was not of the essence. As a result, the Union Theater was built, no pun
intended, with an ear for detail. In fact, Esquire Magazine has even gone so far as to say that our theater is, "One of the most beautiful
and
acoustically perfect theaters in the world."
Given all of this, what better place to hear one of the world's foremost opera stars,
Frederica von Stade. Von Stade's voice, belting out Schubert, Strauss, and Debussy, will be the perfect instrument to exhibit the theater's superior
design for classical music's un-amplified sound.
The curved walls, curved ceiling and porous wood panels all contribute to the way sound waves
manage to stifle any echo produced. In fact, (as I learned from talking to Theater Technical Director Jeff Macheel) the theater is designed so that
when one is standing on stage and talking in a normal speaking voice, they can be heard in the last row of the balcony, and the opposite is not true
(quite lucky, that!)
So, as you sit in the audience on March 30th, take note not only of Ms. von Stade's
commanding mezzo-soprano sound, but also of your surroundings. They should be music to your ears!
Don't forget the wonderful pre-concert dinner. Buy ticket
for the concert
here.
Courtney Byelich
After impressing audiences with renditions of medieval and contemporary music, the Anonymous
4 is touring with a program of American music from the 19th-century, drawing from Southern shape-note books and spiritual hymns. They will be singing
shape-note songs in three-part harmonization - as they were originally written - and gospel hymns in their original vocal setting. There will also be
ancient music in new arrangements. Among many others, their songs include 'Shall We Gather by the River,' 'Gloryland,' and 'Wayfaring Stranger.'
Anonymous 4 prides itself in not only entertaining its audiences, but providing them with historically significant musical pieces.
The female vocal quartet will be accompanied in this concert by Darol Anger on fiddle and
mandolin, and Scott Nygaard - the "bluegrass-newgrass" guitarist. Anger has worked with artists such as Stephane Grappelli, Mark O'Connor, Bela Fleck
and David Grisman, while Nygaard was the guitarist with Tim O'Brien's band, the O'Boys, and recorded with acoustic music stars Jerry Douglas, Chris
Thile, Tony Furtado and David Grisman.
The quartet, renowned for its unearthly vocal blend and virtuosic ensemble singing, has
performed in Europe, Asia, and the United States. For two consecutive years (2004 and 2005), Anonymous 4 was voted one of Billboard's Top Classical
Artists of the Year. Their critically acclaimed recordings have sold nearly 2 million copies across the globe. Their 2006 album, Gloryland, featuring
Darol Anger on fiddles and mandolins and Mike Marshall on mandolins and guitar, won a Gramophone Editor's Choice Award.
Emily Semmelman
above: Danielle de Niese
A Delightful 2008-2009 Concert Series Awaits You
Oh, the delights that we have in store for you!
The Wisconsin Union Theater 2008-2009 season will again bring exciting concerts, musicians,
dancers and film makers to Madison. As in past years, the season is made up of well-established veterans and up-and-coming stars. As our tagline
articulates, the theater is "Where Quality Endures and New Traditions Begin."
Esty Dinur
The Wisconsin Union Theater... a friend to students
The Wisconsin Union Theater houses many performances throughout the year, from elegant
classical music to innovative ethnic dance to exciting jazz performances. In addition to having an independent season, the Theater works with over 40
student organizations and numerous committees of the Wisconsin Union Directorate throughout the year.
"Students who perform on our stage share in our rich history. We've hosted an amazing
variety of world class artists and speakers on our stage through the decades," says Heather Good, Wisconsin Union Theater Assistant Director for
Development and Outreach, "Students can feel proud that they're standing in the same spot where Louis Armstrong, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martha Graham,
Sergei Rachmaninoff, and numerous others have also stood."
The valuable resources available to student performers mean that the Theater is in high
demand. According to Good, "During the semester, we have very few dark days. At this point for this season, for example, our theater is in use seven
days a week during the months of March and April, except for portions of spring break."
The Theater employs students as door staff, ushers, stagehands, box office staff and
marketing and administrative interns. In addition, students program events for the Wisconsin Union Theater Season through the Wisconsin Union
Directorate Theater Committee, which is led by a different student each year.
"Working with students is the lifeblood of this organization. The theater was designed to be
a learning laboratory for students on this campus, and we have carried that mission through almost seven decades of history," says Good.
Theater staff work hard every day of the year to keep the appreciation for the arts alive and
are proud of the work they are doing. According to Good, "Our theater makes it possible for all kinds of students to enjoy the performing arts, not
just students who are majoring in an arts discipline. We provide a space for student organizations to 'strut their stuff,' to share their talents,
celebrate their heritage, and entertain and enlighten each other."
Emily Semmelman
Anonymous 4 sang Love's Illusion on February 9, 1996. According to Chicago
Tribune,
"There is no more beautiful music on this earth." Hear these beautiful voices again on April 10.
Newsletter staff:
Editor: Esty Dinur
Layout Designer: Claire Weissenfluh
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All of Madison is buzzing about Christopher O'Riley's upcoming performance. Just why is
everyone so excited, you may ask? Well, Christopher O'Riley is a real crowd pleaser. In addition to his superb classical music repertoire he also
performs what will be considered timeless classics. At his concert, we will hear a selection of classical music
(Shostakovich) alongside some more contemporary music (Radiohead and
Elliott Smith). Aside from the versatile song selection, O'Riley is simply an amazing artist with a true passion for piano. This is definitely a
concert you should not miss!
Emily Semmelman
Parking Advisory for March 8, 2008 (Christopher O'Riley
performance)
On Saturday, March 8 the WIAA Boys Basketball Tournament will be taking place at the Kohl
Center. High attendance at this event causes numerous parking challenges for the campus.
The lower level of Lot 6 (underneath the Helen C. White Library on Park St.) will be reserved
solely for patrons who have pre-purchased parking permits in conjunction with their Season order. These patrons should be sure to park in the lower
level (the second parking ramp entrance, which is closest to the lake).
For other patrons, there will be limited slots available in the upper level of Lot 6. In case
of overflow, patrons will be directed to Lot 3 (on Lake Street between University Ave. and Langdon St., next to the Extension) and Lot 7 (underneath
Grainger Hall, entrance on Brooks Street between University and Johnson).
For additional parking options, visit our website or see the Campus map.
As with any event on campus, it is always helpful to allow ample time for parking, even if
you have pre-purchased a permit. Allowing ample time reduces the frustration caused by inclement weather, traffic, and other conditions.
Heather Good
The Sahel (from the Arabic word for shore) is the border region between Africa's northern Sahara Desert region, and southern, more fertile region.
Today, the region includes the countries of Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan and Eritrea.
Other facts about the region:
- A menagerie of animals call the Sahel home: Giraffe, Lion, Cheetah, the dama gazelle, the Senegal gerbil and the African wild
dog
- Recent World Stage Series Performers from the Sahel include: Youssou N'Dour (Senegal), Habib Koite (Mali), Seun Kuti
(Nigeria).
- Desertification (or the encroachment of the desert on fertile land) is becoming a serious issue in the Sahel region. It is
partially a result of slash and burn farming techniques and is especially devastating in the countries of Nigeria and Mauritania.
And these facts are just the beginning! Join Mary Lee and Sid Nolan as they travel the region, and take in many of its sights and sounds. You may
also remember Mary Lee and Sid from their "Rails Across Russia" Travel Film last season.
Courtney Byelich
Lila Downs
Friday, April 11, 8:00 pm
Tickets: $32/26/18, UW-Madison students $10 Click here for tickets
The Top Ten Most Interesting (Random) Facts about Lila Downs
10. Lila Downs was born in Oaxaca, Mexico to a Scottish- American cinematographer/painter and a Mixtec-Indian woman who sang in
Mexico City.
9. Lila started singing mariachi songs when she was eight years old.
8. When she turned 14, Lila started voice lessons in Los Angeles, California and later continued voice lessons in Oaxaca City at
Bellas Artes.
7. Originally, Lila was training to become an opera singer at the University of Minnesota, but she eventually became disappointed
with their music department.
6. Lila spent time following The Grateful Dead and selling jewelry on the streets.
5. She and the band's most recent performances have included touring in Mexico, South America, the United States and Europe.
4. Lila's parents met when her father came to Mexico to shoot a documentary film.
3. Lila collaborates with Pete Cohen, a saxophonist who was once a clown and juggler in the circus.
2. She performs her own compositions as well as mesoamerican music, including songs in the Indian languages of Mexico - Mixtec,
Zapotec, Maya and Nahuatl.
1. Lila Downs starred in the 2005 Madison World Music Festival and is returning to the Wisconsin Union Theater on Friday April
11th, 2008. It will an amazing show!
Emily Semmelman
The Wisconsin Union Theater Announces a Green Campaign
You've probably received the email announcing our Green Campaign. We are working to reduce our carbon footprint--and are asking for your help.
We invite patrons to explore our 2008-2009 season, as well as order season subscriptions or purchase single tickets online--instead of through our
season brochure. That way we would be able to produce and transport fewer brochures, saving trees, fossil fuels and resources.
To help entice you to go electronic, our website will be richer than ever with information which will not be available in the brochure. Patrons will
be able to listen to music, watch videos, read reviews and otherwise make themselves familiar with the season artists.
If you'd like to participate in our Green Campaign, please email ted@wut.org giving your
Full Name, Address, City, State, Zip and Telephone Number
and expressing your desire to no longer receive our paper brochures.
By now more than 150 people have signed up. We'd love to hear from you too!
Esty Dinur
Meet Our Staff:
Emily Semmelman, Marketing Intern
What's your life story so far?
My life story... wow... this could take awhile. In a nutshell, I grew up in a Chicago suburb
with my parents and younger sister. I always loved writing when I was in high school and I decided to go to UW-Madison to study Journalism and
Communication Arts, and here I am. Also, I love Thai food, Harry Potter, live music and big cities. I teach snowboarding, I've broken my arm twice
and once I saw George Clooney on the street.
What are your hopes and plans for the future? How does your work in the theater fit
into
these plans?
I am planning on graduating next May and looking for a job in either Madison or Chicago. I
would love to start in a public relations or holistic agency and learn more about the strategic communication process. Eventually, I may decide to
specialize in fine arts public relations. This internship has given me a lot of valuable experience in this area through writing for all different
types of media, promoting upcoming shows and interfacing with artists and management.
Share a theater moment that you'll never forget.
Youssou N'Dour was an amazing show - the energy created by the musicians seemed to radiate
through the entire theater. The audience was dancing, clapping and having a great time. I loved seeing everyone so excited about the performance -
and I had a great time too!
What show are you looking forward to?
I'm getting really excited for Christopher O'Riley - it's going to be really interesting to
hear covers of Radiohead alongside classical music. I really like that he simply plays music he thinks is good and does not try to conform to a
single genre.
Interview by Esty Dinur
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