Four performances to choose from, November 23 - 25. Come and hear the Viva Youth Singers of Toronto performing this wonderful work by Benjamin Britten. Marion in the role of Mrs. Noye, along with her Gossips (friends), will mock Noah's project, preferring to drink than to help out or even to board the ark. The tuned teacup chorus of raindrops ought to be worth the price of admission alone!
CONTINUUM:
FINDING VOICE REVIEW
October 23, 2012 Devin Hurd at hurdaudio.blogspot.ca writes:
The Continuum Contemporary Music ensemble started off their 2012 season with a strong voice. Or at least a collection of strong voices that balanced out a program of music carving out a wide path of expressive territory. Each piece was exquisitely well rehearsed and presented in a manner that allowed the ears to hear all the way inside the music. Even as the subject material would switch from haunting beauty to complete madness.
The second half of the concert consisted of the Martijn Voorvelt pieces, presented as a continuous work of musical theater. Continuum had spent the last week working directly with the composer to realize the drama Frederick's Doctor and their dedication to the macabre absurdity made for a flawless production of material that was often challenging and brittle. The setting of Doctor Morell Mackenzie's often graphic accounts of the botched diagnosis and surgery upon German emperor Frederick III's laryngeal cancer were occasionally a bit hard to take. Especially given Christopher Mayell's incredible dead-pan delivery. The sense of madness in his text could nearly be tasted in the back of my throat. As this gave way to Marion Newman's performance of a voice robbed of its ability to communicate, the balance of humor and despair was simply delicious. Having the flute player and mezzo-soprano delivering text in rhythmic unison was a particularly striking sonic effect. Especially as the performance transitioned to the vocalist lip-syncing to Anne Thompson whispering through her instrument. It was a brilliant set of pieces that won over my normal aversion to theatrics.
To my ears, the most stunning work on the program was Linda C. Smith's Brush Line. An achingly beautiful work built out of luminous, horizontal strokes of warm sounds along a cold landscape of silence. The constant reference to colors in the text added to the sense of sound painting with their vibrato-less delivery.
Cazone Triste is a virtuosic solo harp piece that gently gives way to song. Sanya Eng's voice eventually shifting into the foreground as she plays to reveal a beautiful sound. The simplicity of her voice balanced well against the confidence of her playing.
The opening work, Music for Klein and Beuys by Christopher Butterfield, set the whimsical-yet-serious tone that anticipated the Martijn Voorvelt experience of the second half. The combination of bass recorder, melodica and banjitar with a percussion part the often consisted of tearing and wadding up newsprint never took on a sense of gimmick as the musical textures proved to be substantive. Written as a memorial to Yves Klein and Josef Beuys, it is a wonderfully unpretentious and warm piece of art music.
Overall, there aren't enough superlatives to lavish upon an evening such as this. An inspired sequence of great pieces of music performed well. Continuum has set high expectations for the season that follows this concert.
AMOR BRUJO AND CARMEN
HEAT UP A WINTER NIGHT
In the February 2011 Peterborough Examiner review by Timothy McGee, Marion's performance with the Peterborough Symphony was described thus:
"Mezzo soprano Newman was featured in two works: Manual de Falla's El Amor Brujo, and two arias from George Bizet's opera Carmen. The vocalist is limited to a couple of dramatic statements and one beautifully melodic song (in the Amor Brujo), all of which give the audience a clear introduction to the extensive vocal talents of the soloist. But it was in the Bizet arias where Newman really shone. In addition to a beautiful, velvety voice, she has an enormous breadth of vocal colours as well as an agile technique which allowed her to move with ease from dark brooding passages to bright, sprightly moods as the music demanded. Newman is also a consummate actress and she brought this talent into play by expressing the songs with facial and body gestures in such a way that her performances of Seguidilla and Gypsy Song completely enchanted the audience."
CENERENTOLA HAS VERY
WELL-DRESSED STEP SISTERS!
Marion (in purple) performed the role of Tisbé in Pacific Opera Victoria's gorgeous and much lauded production of Cenerentola this season.
"The bulk of the comedy is provided by terrific singer actors... [including] Marion Newman as his petty, preening daughter... convey larger-than-life personas and sing with an easy virtuosity." - Times Colonist review, October 2010
NATIVE EARTH OPERA PREMIERE
Marion performed the role of Noodin-Kwe in the premiere of Spy Dénommé-Welch and Catherine Magowan's Giiwedin, Directed by Maria Lamont, with Gregory Oh Conducting.
View the full poster
GIIWEDIN REVIEWS
"The cast rose to the occasion and gave a committed ensemble performance. Marion Newman, as Noodin-Kwe, displayed a clear mezzo with an impressive range. She was well paired with the smooth baritone of Jesse Clark as Jean." - Colin Eatock, the Globe and Mail
Read the full review here!
"Marion Newman (Noodin-Kwe) came to the project with an already formidable reputation. She has a gorgeous voice, lustrous and burnished in sound, which she can bend at will, whether as a soft lullaby for her child or a singing declamation against injustice." - Paula Citron, Opera Canada
"But the greatest accolades go to the committed, passionate and enthusiastic cast, led by First Nations mezzo Marion Newman, who successfully brought to life Noodin-Kwe, the fictional and symbolic 150 year old native woman fighting for her land. Yes, I believe those were real tears on her face at the end of the final scene." - Joseph So, La Scena Musicale
"One would like to hear more from Noodin-Kwe... Newman’s rich, powerful voice is ideal for Noodin-Kwe, so much so that we would like longer arias simply to showcase it." - Christopher Hoile, Eye Weekly
THUNDERBIRD WITH ARADIA ENSEMBLE
On May 15, Marion performed Thunderbird, an original work centered around a Newman family legend.
A Thunderbird mask, carved by Marion's father, Master Carver Victor Newman, was danced by traditional Kwagiulth dancer Jason Taylor, who was accompanied by renowned drummer and singer George Taylor.
The remainder of the program was made up bird inspired music from the Baroque era performed by the Aradia Ensemble with weather and storm related themes. Ending the concert was a new work by Dustin Peters, which meshed the Baroque style with Aboriginal Arts.
More information is available here!
EARLY MUSIC AMERICA RINALDO REVIEW
Marion's role in the Naxos recording of Handel's Rinaldo has been very positively reviewed in the Vol 15, 2009 issue of Early Music America Magazine:
"Marion Newman is the vocal surprise of this recording, showing a remarkable versatility for such a short role; she has a magnificently full bodied voice reminiscent of Jennifer Larmore's in her "Mio cor, che mi sai dir?" and a tamed, almost without vibrato, and androgynous tone in "Sorge nel petto."
Read the full review here!
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2012-2013 SEASON |
April 27–29 | 2012
Topsy-Turvydom!
Toronto Operetta Theatre
Gilbert and Sullivan still reign supreme.
A voyage to ravish the senses in the best Savoyard Fashion.
More Information |
May 15 | 2012
5:00pm
Recital
Marion sings Mignon I, II, III and Kennst du das Land? by Hugo Wolf, for the first year collaborative piano recital of Susan Black.
Walter Hall
University of Toronto |
June 11 - 12 | 2012
8:00pm
The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G.
Tapestry New Opera
Marion will perform the role of the fortune teller in this workshop presentation of a developing opera. Colleen Murphy, Librettist and Aaron Gervais, Composer have been creating this exciting opera. Following a week of workshop with Tapestry New Opera, this will be a presentation of Act Two and the Finale.
Ernest Balmer Studio Distillery District, Toronto
More Information |
June 17 | 2012
Dido and Aeneas
Toronto Masque Theatre
Marion sings the role of the Sorceress in this concert performance of Purcell's work with Toronto Masque Theatre, in the beautiful Sharon Temple.
Sharon ON
More Information |
August | 2012
Recordings!
Carey West is making a jazz CD and Marion will be singing back-up vocals. More information on release to come.
Dustin Peters has been composing some new works, based on Kwakwala stories. Marion and Dustin will record some of these works to use for future grant and concert proposals.
Toronto ON |
September 15 | 2012
8:00pm
Trinity St Paul's 125th Anniversary Concert
Marion will sing a selection from Noye's Fludde by Benjamin Britten for this concert.
Toronto ON
More Information |
September 23 | 2012
3:00pm
The Mikado
Concert & Opera Group
Marion sings the role of Katisha in the Concert Opera Group presentation of this much loved work by Gilbert and Sullivan. Many exciting up and coming voices to be heard!.
London ON |
October 22 | 2012
8:00pm
Finding Voice
Continuum
Contemporary Music
Marion will perform Brush Lines by Linda C. Smith and Petit Air II / Friedrich's Tagebuch by Martijn Voorvelt in this concert of music from the Netherlands and Canada, with the very fine musicians of the Continuum Contemporary Music Ensemble.
The Music Gallery
Toronto ON
More Information |
November 23 - 25 | 2012
Noye's Fludde
Viva Youth Singers
Marion will sing the role of Mrs. Noye in Benjamin Britten's opera, with the Viva Youth Singers of Toronto.
Trinity St. Paul's
Toronto, ON
More Information |
December 11 | 2012
8:00pm
Candlelight with Vivaldi / La chandelle avec Vivaldi
Thirteen Strings &
Seventeen Voices
Marion will join Ottawa's Thirteen Strings and Seventeen Voyces, with Kevin Mallon at the helm, to sing Vivaldi's Gloria.
Dominion-Chalmers Church
Ottawa, ON
More Information |
December 14 & 16 | 2012
Handel's Messiah
Cellar Singers
Marion sings the alto solos for this holiday favourite with the Cellar Singers, under the baton of Mitchell Pady.
Bracebridge & Orillia ON
More Information |
December 22 | 2012
8:00pm
The Dublin Messiah
Aradia Ensemble
It is requested the Favour of the Ladies not to come with Hoops this Day to the Musick-Hall in Fishamble Street. The Gentlemen are desired to come without their swords. Such was the request on April 13th, 1742 for the performance of Mr. Handel's new Sacred Grand Oratorio, the Messiah. After considerable public reaction last year, Aradia is happy to repeat its reconstruction of this first performance. Please leave your swords at home!
Glenn Gould Studio Toronto, ON
More Information |
Februrary 9 | 2013
Graduation Recital
Susan Black will perform her graduation from the U of T collaborative piano program, with a little help from her friends. Marion and Susan will perform the Hermit Songs by Samuel Barber.
Walter Hall,
University of Toronto |
March 9 - 17 | 2013
Die Zauberflöte
Vancouver Opera
Marion will sing the role of Third Lady
Queen Elizabeth Theatre Vancouver BC
More Information |
March 13 | 2013
8:00pm
La Traviata
Opera Lyra Ottawa
Marion will sing the role of Flora in this Verdi favourite
National Arts Centre, Southam Hall
Ottawa ON
More Information |
May 3 | 2013
Baroque Idol
Aradia Ensemble
Marion will be performing some exciting new music with the wonderful Aradia Ensemble
The Music Gallery
Toronto ON
More Information |
May 10 - 12 | 2013
The Lessons of Love:
A double bill
Toronto Masque Theatre
Marion will premiere the role of The Concubine in a new opera called The Lesson of Da Ji by Librettist Marjorie Chan and Composer Alice Ping Yee Ho, with the Toronto Masque Theatre.
Al Green Theatre
Toronto ON
More Information |
June 21 | 2013
Montezuma -
An Opera by Vivaldi
Ensemble Caprice
This opera, composed by VIvaldi at the height of his career, has survived only in part. Caprice offers a reconstruction of this story of the famous Aztec emperor Montezuma. Ensemble Caprice and the Montreal Baroque Festival. Marion will sing the role of Mitrena.
Montreal QC
More Information |
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