Notes From The Aisle Seat

Notes from the Aisle Seat Episode 3.1 - The ”Here We Go Again” Edition

Welcome to Season 03 Episode 01 - the "Here We Go Again" edition - of Notes from the Aisle Seat, a podcast featuring news and information about the arts in northern Chautauqua County NY, sponsored by the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. Your host is Tom Loughlin, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair Emeritus of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia.
The first episode of Season 3 features a preview of the fall 2023 season at the Opera House with Executive Director Rick Davis, an interview with Jacob Swanson and Alison D'Amato of the Decho Ensemble, and a conversation with Broadway star Eden Espinosa.
Notes from the Aisle Seat is available from most of your favorite podcast sites, including Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Music, as well as on the Opera House YouTube Channel. If you enjoy this podcast, please spread the word through your social media feeds, give us a link on your website, and consider becoming a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the upper right-hand corner of our home page.
If you have an arts event you'd like to publicize, hit us up at operahouse@fredopera.org and let us know what you have! Please give us at least one month's notice to facilitate timely scheduling. Thanks for listening!
Time Stamps:
Rick Davis Preview  01:54
Decho Ensemble  20:43
Arts Calendar  36:00
Eden Espinosa  39:40
Media:
"Here You Come Again," performed by Dolly Parton; written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, from the album Here You Come Again, September 1977
"Ulterior Motives"; Andrew Cote, composer, 2012; performed by the Decho Ensemble; Jacob Swanson and Sarah Marchitelli, alto saxophones, July 2020
"Duet #1 Wo0 27," Ludwig von Beethoven, composer (1790-92); performed by the Decho Ensemble, Jacob Swanson, alto saxophone, Sarah Marchitelli, tenor saxophone, August 2020
"I'm Not That Girl," from the musical Wicked, Stephen Schwartz, composer, performed by Eden Espinosa from her album Look Around, August 2012
"Look Around," from the musical The Will Rogers Follies, music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adoph Green, May 1991, performed by Eden Espinosa, from her album Look Around, August 2012
Artist Links:
Decho Ensemble
Eden Espinosa
 
 
 

Notes from the Aisle Seat Episode 2.21 - The ”See You in September” Edition

Welcome to Season 02 Episode 21 - the "See You in September" edition - of Notes from the Aisle Seat, a podcast featuring news and information about the arts in northern Chautauqua County NY, sponsored by the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. Your host is Tom Loughlin, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair Emeritus of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia.
This episode is the final episode of Season 2, and features interviews with Mr. Brian Hoffman from Remembering Red - A Red Skelton Tribute Show, and Dr. Anthony Chase on the National Theatre productions of Othello and Good. Notes from the Aisle Seat will return for Season 3 on September 13, 2023.
Notes from the Aisle Seat is available from most of your favorite podcast sites, including Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Music, as well as on the Opera House YouTube Channel. If you enjoy this podcast, please spread the word through your social media feeds, give us a link on your website, and consider becoming a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the upper right-hand corner of our home page.
If you have an arts event you'd like to publicize, hit us up at operahouse@fredopera.org and let us know what you have! Please give us at least one month's notice to facilitate timely scheduling. Thanks for listening!
Time Stamps (approximate):
02:52 - Brian Hoffman "Remembering Red"
21:40 - Tony Chase Part I "Othello"
43:43 - Arts Calendar
48:57 - Tony Chase Part II "Good"
Media:
"When Summer is Gone", written by Sonny Curtis, performed by Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Capital Records 1965
excerpt from "The Red Skelton Show," first broadcast April 22, 1958
excerpt from Othello by William Shakespeare; performed at the National Theatre, Nov. 2022-January 2023; Giles Terera, Othello; Rosy McEwen, Desdemona; Clint Dyer, director.
"Summertime", from the musical Porgy and Bess, music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Irving Berlin; performed by Miles Davis from the album Porgy and Bess, Columbia 1959
excerpt from Good by C.P. Taylor; performed at the National Theatre of London Oct. 6-Dec. 24, 2022; David Tenant as John Halder; Dominic Cooke, director
"See You in September", Sid Wayne and Sherman Edwards, composers; recorded by The Happenings, July 1966, B.T. Puppy label
Artist Links:
Brian Hoffman "Remembering Red"
Tony Chase
Theater Talk Buffalo
Theater Talk WNED Public Radio Buffalo NY
 

Notes from the Aisle Seat Episode 2.20 - The ”Midsummer” Edition

Welcome to Season 02 Episode 20 - the "Midsummer" edition - of Notes from the Aisle Seat, a podcast featuring news and information about the arts in northern Chautauqua County NY, sponsored by the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. Your host is Tom Loughlin, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair Emeritus of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia.
This episode features interviews with Mr. Dan Ihasz, Professor Emeritus of Voice at SUNY Fredonia School of Music, on Mozart's Die Zauberflöte; Mr. Adam Cooley, painter and sculptor, on the art scene in Japan in advance of the Art and Architecture presentation of Tokyo Stories; and Mr Paul "The Movie Guy" Preston on the upcoming Cinema Series films Somewhere in Queens and Book Club:The Next Chapter. 
Notes from the Aisle Seat is available from most of your favorite podcast sites, including Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Music, as well as on the Opera House YouTube Channel. If you enjoy this podcast, please spread the word through your social media feeds, give us a link on your website, and consider becoming a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the upper right-hand corner of our home page.
If you have an arts event you'd like to publicize, hit us up at operahouse@fredopera.org and let us know what you have! Please give us at least one month's notice to facilitate timely scheduling. Thanks for listening!
Time Stamps (approximate):
02:50 - Mr. Dan Ihasz on Die Zauberflöte
20:25 - Mr. Adam Cooley; Tokyo Stories
39:31 - Arts Calendar with Special Program Announcement
42:11 - "The Movie Guy" Mr. Paul Preston - Cinema Series
Media:
"Raganu Nakts (Witch Nights)", Latvian folk song, performed by Tautumeitas, June 23, 2018
Overture to Die Zauberflöte, W.A. Mozart, composer; performed by Staatskapelle Dresden, Sir Colin Davis, conductor, 1984 Universal International Music B.V.
"Rembo-nagashi," from the album Urban Music of the Edo Period (1603-1868), Ensemble Hijiri-Kaï, November 2021
"Let's Go to the Movies", from the musical Annie, composed by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, 1977; excerpt from the film version 1982
Overture from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Opus 21; Felix Mendelssohn, composer (1826), performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado, conductor, 2002.
Artist Links:
Mr. Daniel Ihasz
Mr. Adam Cooley
Mr. Paul Preston "The Movie Guy"
Youtube Channel
Twitter
 

Notes from the Aisle Seat Episode 2.19 - The ”Bach and Beyond” Edition

Welcome to Season 02 Episode 19 - the "Bach and Beyond" edition - of Notes from the Aisle Seat, a podcast featuring news and information about the arts in northern Chautauqua County NY, sponsored by the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. Your host is Tom Loughlin, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair Emeritus of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia.
This "All Bach and Beyond" episode features interviews with Maestro Grant Cooper, oboist Cheryl Bishkoff, and emerging artist and clarinetist Jonathan Decker.
Notes from the Aisle Seat is available from most of your favorite podcast sites, including Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Music, as well as on the Opera House YouTube Channel. If you enjoy this podcast, please spread the word through your social media feeds, give us a link on your website, and consider becoming a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the upper right-hand corner of our home page.
If you have an arts event you'd like to publicize, hit us up at operahouse@fredopera.org and let us know what you have! Please give us at least one month's notice to facilitate timely scheduling. Thanks for listening!
Time Stamps (approximate):
02:01 - Maestro Grant Cooper, Conductor
19:00 - Ms. Cheryl Biskoff, Oboist
37:34 - Arts Calendar
40:52 - Mr. Jonathan Decker, Clarinetist and Emerging Artist
Media:
Violin Concerto No. 2 in E-Major BWV 1042, J.S. Bach, composer (1732), performed by the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen; Omer Meir Wellber, Conductor; Hilary Hahn, violin
Oboe Concerto in G Minor, FWV Lg1; Johann Friedrich Fasch, composer; performed by the Kempten Orchestra, Kempten Germany; Mary Ellen Kitchens, conductor, Victor Marin, oboe
Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K.622, W.A. Mozart, composer (1791); performed by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra; Cornelius Meister, conductor, Arngunnur Árnadóttir, clarinet
Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra, A. Copeland, composer (1948); performed by the Columbia Symphony Orchestra; Aaron Copeland, conductor, Benny Goodman, clarinet
Artist Links:
Maestro Grant Cooper
Ms. Cheryl Bishkoff
Mr. Jonathan Decker
 
 
 

Notes from the Aisle Seat Episode 2.18 - The ”Full Bloom” Edition

Welcome to Season 02 Episode 18 - the "Full Bloom" edition - of Notes from the Aisle Seat, a podcast featuring news and information about the arts in northern Chautauqua County NY, sponsored by the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. Your host is Tom Loughlin, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair Emeritus of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia.
This episode features interviews with Dr. Robert Strauss on Live at the Met's Don Giovanni, Mr. Jeff Adams on the Chautauqua History Lectures presentation "Brotherhood of the New Life," and Mr. Rick Mascaro  discussing the Juicebox Organic One-Act Festival at the Lakeshore Center for the Arts in Westfield.
Notes from the Aisle Seat is available from most of your favorite podcast sites, including Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Music, as well as on the Opera House YouTube Channel. If you enjoy this podcast, please spread the word through your social media feeds, give us a link on your website, and consider becoming a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the upper right-hand corner of our home page.
If you have an arts event you'd like to publicize, hit us up at operahouse@fredopera.org and let us know what you have! Please give us at least one month's notice to facilitate timely scheduling. Thanks for listening!
Time Stamps (approximate):
Don Giovanni/Dr. Robert Strauss 1:45
Brotherhood of the New Life/Mr. Jeff Adams 19:43
Arts Calendar 37:11
Juicebox Organic Festival/Mr. Rick Mascaro 39:45
Media:
"A Beautiful Morning," performed by the Rascals, written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, from the album Time Piece: The Rascals' Greatest Hits, Atlantic, 1968
"Là ci darem la mano" from the opera Don Giovanni; W.A. Mozart, composer; Lorenzo Da Ponte, libretto; from the 2023 Metropolitan Opera House production, with Peter Mattei as Don Giovanni and Ying Fang as Zerlina; Ivo van Hove, director; Nathalie Stutzmann, conductor
"New Life", performed by Olivia Branch Walker, written by Shirley A. Walker, from the album Sunday Classics, Atlanta International Records, February 2017.
from the overture to Don Giovanni (K. 527), composed by W.A.Mozart, performed by Dresden Staatskapelle, Hans Vonk, conductor, 1986
"What a Wonderful World (Original Spoken Intro Version)," performed by Louis "Satchmo" "Pops" Armstrong, written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, ABC Records, 1967, 1970.
Artist Links:
Dr. Robert Strauss
Metropolitan Opera House
Mr. Jeff Adams/Darwin R. Barker Historical Museum
Mr. Rick Mascaro/Lakeshore Center for the Arts
North Shore Arts Alliance Art Trail Website
North Shore Arts Alliance Facebook page
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Notes from the Aisle Seat Episode 2.17 - The ”Dandelion” Edition

Welcome to Season 02 Episode 17 - the "Grass is Greener" edition - of Notes from the Aisle Seat, a podcast featuring news and information about the arts in northern Chautauqua County NY, sponsored by the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. Your host is Tom Loughlin, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair Emeritus of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia.
This episode features interviews with Mr. Alberto Rey on the Art and Architecture Series Vermeer - The Blockbuster Exhibition, Dr. Robert Strauss on the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus concert, and Mr. Jefferson Westwood with guest artist Mr. Jordan Weatherstone Pitts discussing the Commencement Eve Pops Concert.
Notes from the Aisle Seat is available from most of your favorite podcast sites, including Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Music, as well as on the Opera House YouTube Channel. If you enjoy this podcast, please spread the word through your social media feeds, give us a link on your website, and consider becoming a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the upper right-hand corner of our home page.
If you have an arts event you'd like to publicize, hit us up at operahouse@fredopera.org and let us know what you have! Please give us at least one month's notice to facilitate timely scheduling. Thanks for listening!
Time Stamps:
Alberto Rey 3:34
Dr. Robert Strauss 20:26
Arts Calendar 38:05
Jordan Pitts/Jefferson Westwood 40:14
Media:
"Dandelion Wine", written and performed by Tommy Makum, from the album Live at the National Concert Hall, May, 2006, Shanachie Records
"Bridge Over Troubled Water," written by Paul Simon and performed by Art Garfunkel, from the album Bridge Over Troubled Water, January 1970, Columbia Records
"Concerto for Flute, 2 Oboes, Strings", composed by Johann Christian Schickhardt, from the album Baroque Music from the Netherlands, Musica ad Rhenum, 2014
"Music of the Night," from the musical The Phantom of the Opera, music by Andrew Lloyd Weber, lyrics by Tim Rice, performed by Michael Crawford with the London Symphony Orchestra, September 2017
"Dandelion Wine"; written and performed live by Claire Kelly, from her album The Scenic Route, March 2021
Artist Links:
Alberto Rey
Biological Realism: Niagara River, Western NY
Vermeer: The Blockbuster Exhibition
Dr. Robert Strauss
Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus
Jordan Weatherston Pitts
Commencement Eve Concert RAC
 
 

Notes from the Aisle Seat Episode 2.16 - The ”Grass is Greener” Edition

Welcome to Season 02 Episode 16 - the "Grass is Greener" edition - of Notes from the Aisle Seat, a podcast featuring news and information about the arts in northern Chautauqua County NY, sponsored by the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. Your host is Tom Loughlin, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair Emeritus of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia.
This episode features interviews with Mr. Derek Johnson, guitarist for Monroe Crossing; Prof. Emeritus of Voice Mr. Daniel Ihasz previewing the Live at the Met presentation of Champion, and Prof. Ted Sharon discussing his upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet for the Department of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia.
Notes from the Aisle Seat is available from most of your favorite podcast sites, including Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Music, as well as on the Opera House YouTube Channel. If you enjoy this podcast, please spread the word through your social media feeds, give us a link on your website, and consider becoming a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the upper right-hand corner of our home page.
If you have an arts event you'd like to publicize, hit us up at operahouse@fredopera.org and let us know what you have! Please give us at least one month's notice to facilitate timely scheduling. Thanks for listening!
Time Stamps:
2:00 - Mr. Derek Johnson
18:41 - Prof. Dan Ihasz
37:07 - Arts Calendar
39:49 - Prof. Ted Sharon
Media:
"Nail That Catfish to a Tree," written by Steve Rosen; performed by Monroe Crossing, from an episode of Grassland Jam, Pioneer Public Television, Jan. 28, 2017
"What Makes a Man a Man"; from the opera Champion, composed by Terence Blanchard, lyrics by Michael Cristofer; performed by Ryan Speedo Green, April 7, 2023
"Hagen's Hole"; from the opera Champion, composed by Terence Blanchard, lyrics by Michael Cristofer; performed by Stephanie Blythe, April 7, 2023
(title unknown), performance by Monroe Crossing, from an episode of Grassland Jam, Pioneer Public Television, Jan. 28, 2017
"What Is A Youth? (Love Theme)", from Romeo and Juliet, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, 1968, Nino Rota, composer; performed by cellist Yoonkyung Cho, April 16, 2022
"(Just Like)" Romeo and Juliet", performed by The Reflections, written by Bob Hamilton and Freddie Gordon, Feb. 1964, Golden World Records
"New Mown Hay", performed live at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House by the company at the Concert for Dick and Carmen Gilman, April 16, 2023
"Nashville Skyline Rag", recorded by Monroe Crossing, Nov. 10, 2015, produced by CDBaby; written by Bob Dylan, from the album Nashville Skyline, April 1969, Columbia Records.
Artist Links:
Monroe Crossing
Prof. Dan Ihasz
Champion at the Metropolitan Opera
CBS 60 Minute interview with Ryan Speedo Green
Prof. Ted Sharon
TADA Instagram
The Concert for Dick and Carmen Gilman - Livestream Recording
Information on the 1891 Fredonia Run for the Opera House

Notes from the Aisle Seat 2.15 - The ”Not Oppressively Formal” Edition

Welcome to Season 02 Episode 15 - the "Not Oppressively Formal" edition - of Notes from the Aisle Seat, a podcast featuring news and information about the arts in northern Chautauqua County NY, sponsored by the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. Your host is Tom Loughlin, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair Emeritus of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia.
This 90-minute special edition of NFTAS is dedicated entirely to the Concert for Carmen and Dick Gilman, which will take place on Sunday April 16, 2023, beginning at 2:00pm. The concert is being held to honor the contributions of Carmen and Dick Gilman, who have contributed so much to the life of the 1891 Opera House and the community of Fredonia-Dunkirk. They sponsor the "Folk in Fredonia" series, and have performed on the Opera House stage many times with the legendary Newton Street Irregulars. They were intimately involved with the restoration effort for the Opera House, and Dick Gilman served as the first Board President when the Opera House reopened. Carmen and Dick also created and ran the College Lodge Folk Weekends for many years, spawning the careers of several of this episode's guests.
This podcast features most of the performer who will part of Sunday's concert. They include Peggy Lynn, Dan Duggan, Chris Koldewey, Joy Bennett, and Dan Berggren. Janet Gilman, who is the daughter of Carmen and Dick, also shares some of her memories growing up in the Gilman household.
Time Stamps (Approximate):
Peggy Lynn 2:25
Dan Duggan 11:18
Chris Koldewey/Joy Bennett 27:41
Janet Gilman 50:12
Dan Berggren 1:05:25
Artist links
Peggy Lynn
Dan Duggan
Jamcrackers
Chris Koldewey
Joy Bennett
The Johnson Girls
Dan Berggren
Media Links
"Track 02" (title unknown), The Comforts of Home, Carmen Gilman (year unknown)
"April", Peggy Lynn (vocals/guitar), Dan Duggan (hammer dulcimer), recorded April 15, 2020; Peggy Lynn, composer, Quercus Music
"Who Will Go WIth Me?", traditional sea shanty, Chris Koldewey (banjo), Joy Bennett (vocals), recorded at the Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs NY, Dec. 5, 2022
"Trumpet Vine" (author unknown), The Newton Street Irregulars; Not Oppressively Formal, 1997; Carmen Gilman (vocals, hammer dulcimer)
"What Will We Do With the Grape?" (author unknown), The Newton Street Irregulars, Not Oppressively Formal, 1997
"When All Men Sing", English traditional ballad, live performance by the Newton Street Irregulars, 2006
"A Little Bit of Cucumber" (author unknown), The Newton Street Irregulars, Not Oppressively Formal, 1997
The 1891 Run For the Opera House Information and Registration
Direct Link to the Registration Page
Dick and Carmen Gilman (photo courtesy of Joy Bennett)