Francesco's Notes - Part 5

A continuing series. View previous notes in the Blog Archives.
Q: Noreen Green will conduct Amahl and the Night Visitors. Tell us about your previous collaborative work with Noreen and the LA Jewish Symphony.
Francesco: Noreen and I attended USC School of Music together and have been friends ever since. I was there at the beginning of the LAJS and played with the orchestra, acted as orchestra manager and librarian, or anything else that was needed! Noreen and I have collaborated on many concerts throughout the years. Each year I play for the Valley Beth Shalom choirs in Encino for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur where she is also the Director of Music. Noreen has graciously volunteered to be our conductor for these performances.
Q: The opera will be staged on the altar of St. Mel Church. What were the technical challenges that you had to overcome?
Francesco: Working in a liturgical space is always a challenge with an altar that doesn't move and steps and such. However I am a firm believer that sacred music should be performed in sacred spaces and not simply relegated to the concert hall or theater. AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS is certainly a sacred and inspiring piece in my mind.