Opera stars proud to celebrate alternative inauguration
Clive Paget
Limelight
While Donald Trump, it seems, is still struggling to put together a line up for his inauguration next Friday, a New York musical director appears to have had more success coming up with an ‘alternative’ concert. Not only that, a host of opera A-listers, including Isabel Leonard, Nathan Gunn, Lawrence Brownlee, Matthew Polenzani, Patricia Racette and Australian bass Daniel Sumegi have signed up to be a part of the event.
While Donald Trump, it seems, is still struggling to put together a line up for his inauguration next Friday, a New York musical director appears to have had more success coming up with an ‘alternative’ concert. Not only that, a host of opera A-listers, including Isabel Leonard, Nathan Gunn, Lawrence Brownlee, Matthew Polenzani, Patricia Racette and Australian bass Daniel Sumegi have signed up to be a part of the event.
Glen Roven conducted Bill Clinton’s inauguration and had hoped to have repeated the honour for Clinton’s wife. Instead, he has come up with the idea for The Hillary Speeches – a setting of texts from two speeches by unsuccessful Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. “I was honoured to conduct the concert in front of the Lincoln Monument for Bill Clinton’s inauguration” says Roven. “Up until recently, I thought I might conduct Hillary’s inauguration as well. Nevertheless, or perhaps because, I still felt I had to contribute. I’m not rich, nor am I inclined to shout in the streets. But I do write music.”
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