We recorded my one-act comic opera, Romulus, for Naxos Records on Aug. 30, 31, and Sept. 1, 2009. The original cast from the Guggenheim performances and almost all of the original musicians returned for a week of rehearsals and three days of five-hour recording sessions at SUNY Purchase. We had outstanding help from our producer and recording engineer, Marlan Barry, assistant conductor Scott Voyles, and rehearsal pianists, Dan Beliavsky, and Matt Quayle.
Our talented cast, Katrina Thurman (soprano), Steven Ebel (tenor), Thomas Meglioranza (baritone), and Wilbur Pauley (bass) continues to win notable honors: Katrina was the winner of Classical Singer Magazine's 2008 National Vocal Competition, Steve was selected for roles by both James Levine and Lorin Maazel, and began a two year apprenticeship at the Royal Opera House at Convent Garden. Tom performed the premiere of John Harbison's Symphony # 5, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Wilbur continued his travels around the world, performing this summer in Japan, and at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago.
Contrabass player Kurt Muroki, also an avid photographer, found time to take these photos at the recording sessions:
*Photos by Kurt Muroki