New Recording + Lyric Opera of Chicago!

09/29/2011

Hi everyone!

Some exciting news this time... Houston Grand Opera and Deutsche Grammophon have released a recording of the world premiere of Andre Previn's Brief Encounter! Available for purchase at Amazon.com and on iTunes, this live recording features some phenomenal singers (Elisabeth Futral, Nathan Gunn, and Meredith Arwady, just to mention a few.) You'll even get to hear little ol' me if you purchase a copy, so run to your online stores and get them while they're hot! :)

In other news, The Tales of Hoffmann opens this Saturday (Oct. 1st) at the Lyric Opera of Chicago! Yours truly will be singing the Voice of Antonia's Mother in this spectacular production. Get your tickets now!

As always, thank you for dropping by!

Jamie

09/01/2011

Hello everyone!

Thank you for stopping by! I've just finished up a wonderful summer at Santa Fe Opera, debuting with the company and in 2 different roles. Pictures and press quotes to come as soon as possible!

I'm just gearing up for a busy start to this new season. First up, a recording with Ars Lyrica of Houston! We'll be recording La Dirindina, the concert piece by Scarlatti I did with them last fall. This is a wonderful group that makes really, really wonderful recordings (can we say Grammy nominated?), so keep your eyes and ears out for the release of this recording. Of course, I'll let you guys know here when it comes out.

Next up is an autumn with the Lyric Opera of Chicago! Check out my Schedule page for information and dates on the shows there.

See you soon!
Jamie

05/08/2011

Hello all!

I would like to personally invite you to join Keith Weber and me for a recital benefiting the Bridges Music Academy at St. Luke's United Methodist this coming Sunday (Mother's Day!) at 7:30pm! Featured composers are Britten/Purcell, Sibelius, Bernstein, Heggie, Hundley, and Sibelius. I consider this recital and fundraiser to be very close to my heart... proceeds from this recital will provide music scholarships to needy students who attend Bridges Academy and will also fund our Music Outreach program in HISD Elementary Schools. Never before has this outreach been so important!

Hope to see you there!
Jamie B.

04/16/2011

Hello everyone!

This update is an incredibly exciting one for me... I have just been engaged to sing with the New York Pops on their 28th Birthday Gala! This gala honors the Bob Hope Legacy and raises money to support the New York Pops and its Education Programs. Fellow singers on this concert include Tyne Daly, Tony DeSare, Christine Ebersole, Gregg Edelman, Maurice Hines, Cheyenne Jackson, Aaron Lazar, Michele Lee, Kelli O’Hara, Cartier Williams, Tom Wopat, and the special guest of the evening is Angela Landsbury! This is not one to be missed! (Also, this is my official Carnegie Hall debut, so I am just a wee bit excited!)

For more information, check under my Schedule tab and click on the New York Pops link.

Until next time...
Jamie B.

03/14/2011

Hello everyone!

LOTS of exciting things have been happening lately, and I'm so excited to get to share them with you! First of all, the concerts with the San Diego Symphony and the Omaha Symphony were my debuts with those groups! They went splendidly, and I very much enjoyed getting to visit cities I'd never been to before.

The next big debut is coming up very soon on April 1st -- my European debut! I'll be doing the role of Mere Marie in the Bayerische Staatsoper's production of Dialogues des Carmélites. This is a simply stunning opera, and I am very happy to be able to make my debut with this role in a place like Munich! If you happen to be in the area, come on by!

After Europe, I'm back in the states and preparing for my Santa Fe Opera debut. Take a look on my Schedule page to get more information on that.

Thank you again for dropping by!

Jamie

01/25/2011

Dear NY Times...

THANK YOU for this!

I had an absolutely wonderful evening singing in Zankel Hall! I was joined by a group of absolutely delightful and fiercely talented musicians, and all together, we made one heck of a recital. If you were there, I am so happy you were! And if you missed it, I am so sorry you did; it was truly a spectacular evening! (The link above goes to the NY Times' review of the recital... feel free to take a peek!)

Next up, a debut at San Diego Symphony with Schubert's Mass in E Flat Major! I'm looking forward to feeling a bit of warm weather (as NYC has been COLD!) Also, don't forget to watch the Grammy Awards on February 13th, and keep your fingers crossed!

Keep warm!
Jamie B.

12/09/2010

Hello everyone!

I am absolutely thrilled to be able to announce that the CD that was released this past August (Hasse's Marc' Antonio e Cleopatra) has been nominated for a Grammy! More information can be found here under category #99 (Opera Recordings.) What an honor!

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Marc' Antonio e Cleopatra, check it out on iTunes or Amazon.com!

Cross your fingers for us, and thank you for stopping by my site!

Jamie B.

09/03/2010

Hi everyone!

Just a quick note to let you know of something exciting... a CD of the work I did with Ars Lyrica of Houston this past January has been released! Check out Amazon.com to purchase your copy of Marc Antonio e Cleopatra!

Thank you for dropping by!
Jamie

05/07/2010

Hi everyone!

I am currently in St. Louis staging a wonderful production of The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Theatre of St. Louis. It's going to be a great show, so visit Opera Theatre of St. Louis's website for tickets and more information!

As always, thank you for stopping by!
Jamie

04/09/2010

Hi everyone!

Just a quick note to let you know that Die Zauberflöte is being broadcast on the Metropolitan Opera channel on Sirius Satellite Radio this Saturday, starting at 1pm. Not only will I be singing 2nd Lady during the show, but I will also participate in an interview (along with the other two Ladies) during the intermission. Tune in!

Thanks for stopping by!
Jamie

03/09/2010

Hello, everyone!

Many thanks for stopping in. I've just now gotten to update the site, as I've been travelling like crazy lately! So, to catch us all up, I've just finished the run of Otello at the Canadian Opera Company, and I have just recently presented my first solo recital with Kathleen Kelly at the piano at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall. It has been an incredible beginning to 2010, and I want to thank each and every one of you who might have come to a performance or might have sent me good thoughts! There are new quotes about each of those gigs under my Press page, but I would particularly like to encourage you to read this review of the recital at Carnegie... many thanks to Operaticus.com for such a glowing review!

Thanks for stopping by!

Jamie B.

02/02/2010

Hello there! I have been in Toronto working with the Canadian Opera Company on their production of Otello. What a wonderful production and cast! We open on Wednesday and run through the month of February. If you're in the area, be sure to drop by!

Directly after Otello closes, I'm off to New York for my recital with Kathleen Kelly at Weill Hall. How exciting! More information on that concert is available under my "Schedule" tab.

Once again, thank you for dropping by!
Jamie B.

12/28/2009

Hello everyone, and thank you for stopping by www.jamiebartonmezzo.com!

It has been a great fall, and I am gearing up for a busy spring schedule. Check out my Schedule page for a list of upcoming performances... I may be coming to a city near you!

Happy holidays!
Jamie B.

11/02/2009

Hello All!

Just a quick reminder of my recital with the amazingly talented Kathleen Kelly (pianist) this coming Thursday at the University of Houston's Dudley Hall (7:30pm, FREE admission!) We're going to have great fun with some songs by Britten/Purcell, Mahler, Libby Larsen, and Rachmaninov. We'd love to see you there!

Also, in very exciting news, The Audition has finally been released on DVD! This documentary was made in 2007 by Susan Fromke about the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. I was a participant, and luckily a winner on that year! So, this documentary means quite a bit to me. It is a really honest rendering of how this competition goes and what kind of stresses go into it. I would really encourage anyone who is interested in seeing what singers go through during a competition like the Met Competition to grab a copy of this DVD. (Drop by the Met Opera Online Store to pick up a copy.)

Check out Roger Ebert's review on the DVD!

Many thanks for stopping by!

Jamie B.

10/12/2009

Hello all, and thanks for stopping in!

I am just in from a wonderful week with the Colorado Symphony. Marin Alsop and Taki Concordia Conducting Fellow Mihaela Cesa-Goje were the conductresses at the helm. I have to say... this concert was very special. This was in many ways a homecoming for Maestra Alsop, as she had been with this orchestra for a long time (and is now with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.) The pieces on the first half were all by Leonard Bernstein, Alsop's musical mentor. I sang in both of these pieces; "Opening Prayer" - a magnificent 3 minute orchestral number with a bit of a vocal solo at the end which was conducted beautifully by Maestra Cesa-Goje - and Bernstein's first symphony, the "Jeremiah Symphony" which was conducted by Maestra Alsop. If you're interested in reading the review from the Denver Post, go here.

Happily, I have a bit of a break now! But, no true rest for the wicked... I am putting together a recital with pianist Kathleen Kelly this month! We will be performing the recital at the University of Houston on November 5th. If you're around, we'd love to see you! We will be taking this recital to the Terrace Theater in the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and then later to Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Check the Schedule page for more information on those concerts.

Thank you so much for stopping by! And, if you haven't been by recently, check out the new photos from this summer at Wolf Trap... there's some beautiful and interesting stuff!

Jamie B.

09/25/2009

Hello all!

I can now happily say that I have sung at the Met! My first performance of Die Zauberflöte on September 23rd went really well and was a lot of fun. I've had an absolutely wonderful time working with my colleagues on this show, and am excited for the rest of the run!

Up next is a concert in Denver, CO with the Colorado Symphony. I'll be singing Bernstein's Jeremiah Symphony and another piece by Bernstein called "Opening Prayer" which is not very well known. Both are in Hebrew, which is a first for me! It should be great fun.

As always, thank you for stopping by!
Jamie B.

08/27/2009

Hello ladies and gents!

I'm writing to you from the big, buzzing center of the western hemisphere... New York City! I settled in yesterday and am preparing to begin rehearsals on Die Zauberflöte very soon. I am very excited to be on this particular show... this production of Mozart's timeless classic is the newest and most exciting creation by Julie Taymore for the Metropolitan Opera. If you're in attendance, expect some seriously amazing visual effects! (Not to mention that I think the singing will probably be okay too...!) :)

Keep checking back for new dates on the Schedule page... there are a few last minute things that I need to add, but cannot for various reasons at this time. Soon, though -- I promise!

Until next time,
Jamie B.

08/16/2009

Hi there!

I am writing you from the beautifully cool Aspen, Colorado. This week I am preparing to do both a duo recital (featuring a lot of German romantic repertoire) and Leonard Bernstein's Arias and Barcarolles with the seriously fantastic Ryan McKinney! (Take a look at his site at www.ryanmckinney.com!) Both of these concerts, part of the Aspen Music Festival, should be fantastic fun. Check out full details about these concerts under my Schedule tab!

On another note, I have added pictures from three events I did at Wolf Trap this summer under my Media tab. These include pictures from the Road Trip! recital with Steven Blier, my Vocal Colors recital with Jeremy Frank, and action shots from Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria. A big thanks goes out to Kim Witman, Eric Melear, and Carol Pratt for their generosity in granting permission for me to use these photos.

Check them out!
Jamie B.

Next on the docket... Die Zauberflöte at The Met!

07/28/2009

Hello everyone!

The Wolf Trap Opera's production of Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria is officially 2/3rds of the way through the run! It is amazing how quickly a project can go, especially when it is such a wonderful production and involve such brilliant artists on all sides. But, don't take my word for it... the reviews are in! Go check the full reviews out:

The Baltimore Sun
Washington Post
Washington Times
Shadowtime NYC

I might just be a little proud of this show. :) Pictures to come as soon as possible... I'll be sure to announce when they're up!

As always, thank you for dropping by!

Jamie B.

06/11/2009

Hello everyone, and thank you for stopping by my page! I wanted to post a link for any of you who are interested in the goings-ons here at Wolf Trap during the summer time. Kim Witman (the head honcho over here at Wolf Trap Opera) keeps a really great blog on everything that's happening. So, drop on by!

Other than that, just keep checking back for new dates, audio, and news! Many thanks for stopping by...

Jamie B.

05/24/2009

Hello, and thank you for visiting my website! Please feel free to take a peak around... there is new audio on the Media page, and I've just added a few new gigs to the Schedule page. The first one of the new dates is coming up very quickly: Road Trip Recital with Steve Blier at Wolf Trap Opera! Featuring soprano Ava Pine, tenor Dominic Armstrong, baritone Daniel Billings, and myself, this recital is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Many thanks, and see you soon!
Jamie B.

04/13/2009

Hello everyone! Thanks for stopping by my site... it's always nice to have visitors! Just a couple of things to update you on:

1. Check back in about a week for some new audio on my Media page. I've got some great audio from the recitals I did this winter, and a few of those selections will be going up.

2. If you were looking for another chance to see me live and on stage, get your tickets now for the shows that are about to open at Houston Grand Opera! I'll be performing the roles of Giovanna in Rigoletto and Mary Norton in the world premiere of Andre Previn's Brief Encounter! Check those links out for ticket information.

3. Do keep an eye on my Schedule page... gigs are coming in, and who knows? I might be in a town near you!

02/25/2009

Hello! I just wanted to quickly update everyone on new happenings. First of all, come next August, I will be a new resident of NYC! I'm very excited about that, and more news on that soon. If you live in Houston and are hoping to see me around, you definitely will... just keep checking out my site. I'll be back for Der Rosenkavalier with Houston Grand Opera in April/May of 2011, and I get the feeling I might be back before that.

Speaking of Houston appearances, I will be performing on March 15th with soprano Melissa Givens and pianist Keith Weber in a recital benefiting one of my favorite Houston arts organizations, Ars Lyrica. The setting for this recital is incredibly intimate and one of a kind: the beautiful home of Ed and Marie Bosarge, Villa Marie. Contact Kinga Ferguson at kferguson@arslyricahouston.org for more information.

Next up is an alumni recital at Shorter College in Rome, GA this coming Monday, March 2nd at 7:30pm. If you're anywhere in the vicinity, come on by! I'm really looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends and family at this, let alone getting to stand on one of the first recital stages I ever performed on. General seating, so be sure to get there early for your pick of the best seats in the house!

Be sure to get your tickets to RIGOLETTO and the world premiere of Andre Previn's BRIEF ENCOUNTER at Houston Grand Opera soon!

01/23/2009

Hello All! Just a quick entry to say hello and let you know that the Carnegie debut went splendidly. If you'd like to read more about my experiences with that trip, go to my blog for a full report!

Also, just a reminder of the cabaret I have coming up on February 10th with Joseph Li. Information is available under my "Schedule" link... would love to see you there!

01/08/2009

Hello all! Just wanted to post a link to a radio interview I just did on KUHF (Houston NPR) to promote my upcoming recital in Houston. Happy listening!

Click here for the link!

01/02/2009

Hello everyone, Happy New Year, and thank you for stopping by! There are a couple of really exciting things happening this month, and are all centering around my Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall debut! So, get your calendars ready, and here are some details:

1. If you are in Texas or own a plane, make your way over to St. Phillip Presbyterian (4807 San Felipe, Houston, TX) on January 10th at 7:30pm for a special preview recital of my Carnegie debut! This is a free event, but donations will be accepted for Grace Song, Inc., a wonderful non-profit arts organization who is both hosting this event, arranging for the recital space, and even helped me make a demo CD this year. Grace Song is a wonderful organization, and your money would be very well spent! Either way, come out to hear me and the amazing Kathleen Kelly in an evening of song. Not to be missed!

2. CARNEGIE DEBUT!! If you happen to be in or around New York City on January 20th, come by Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall to hear my debut! All sorts of information on this recital can be found here on the Marilyn Horne Foundation's website. And, as if my debuting through the Marilyn Horne Foundation on a recital at Weill Hall isn't enough excitement for you, I will also be premiering a song cycle by Richard Hundley! A big thanks goes out to the Marilyn Horne Foundation for this commission and for giving me the chance to sing it for the first time... it is quite gorgeous!

I think that's enough excitement for one news update, but please keep checking back for more schedule updates and news!

Next month, Jamie and Joseph Li (pianist) in a night of cabaret, musical theater, and jazz at The Tasting Room off of Post Oak Blvd. in Houston, TX! Not to be missed!

11/21/2008

I would like to send a big thank you to everyone who attended a performance of Beatrice and Benedict! I had a wonderful time doing this show, and even had the opportunity to blog for Houston Grand Opera regarding the show. Go check it out!

The next performance coming up is a showcase of opera scenes being performed by the Houston Grand Opera Studio on the beautiful campus of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX. I will be featured in two very exciting scenes; as Carmen in the card aria scene from Carmen and Eboli in the garden scene from Don Carlos. I would love to see you there, so go to Houston Grand Opera's webpage for more information on tickets and location!

11/09/2008

Hello all! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Just a quick note to bring your attention to a mistake that has since been corrected: my cabaret at The Tasting Room with Joseph Li (piano) was listed as being on February 12th, which is completely wrong. I double checked it and was told it is on February 10th, so note that in your calendars!

Also, add this to your calendar if you're in or around Houston, TX: If you want to see my Carnegie Hall debut but cannot make it up to New York on January 20th, come by St. Phillips in the Galleria district (4807 San Felipe) on January 10th! Not only will Kathleen Kelly (pianist) and I do our Carnegie Hall program, but we're adding a lot of beautiful and fun music to it as well! Featuring works of Purcell (arr. Britten), Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Hundley, and Heggie!

10/18/2008

Hello all! Just a quick note to let you know that I have posted new audio under my Media page. Check them out! All 4 of the new pieces were recorded with Keith Weber on the piano, and with the generosity of his nonprofit organization Grace Song, Inc.

Also, Beatrice and Benedict is going splendidly. The main cast (which features the incomparable Joyce DiDonato as Beatrice and the wonderful up-and-coming Norman Reinhart as Benedict) has been rehearsing for a few weeks and the show is bound to be a very entertaining evening for all. Come see Beatrice and Benedict at Houston Grand Opera, opening October 30th (follow the HGO link for more details), or come see my alternate cast on Nov. 4th at 10am, 5th at 7pm, or on the 7th at 10am.

And, as always, thank you for dropping by my site!

~ Jamie B.

09/23/2008

My Ars Lyrica concert forged on this past Friday night (9/19) despite the mess created by Hurricane Ike. The concert, which was moved at the last minute from the Hobby Center to St. Phillips Cathedral, did not suffer in the least. Hailed as a "radient performance" by the Houston Chronicle, Ars Lyrica's opening concert (Legendary Lovers) told the famous tales of Anthony and Cleopatra, and Orpheus and Euridice. Said of Jamie Barton in the Houston Chronicle review:

"Houston Grand Opera Studio mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton rang radiently in front of the baroque ensemble... Barton was pensive then brilliant in Priva son d'ogni conforto (Deprived of all comfort) and Non ha più che temere (I have nothing more to fear)."

Next in line is this weekend's Sing for Hope concert here at the Wortham Center's Cullen Theater. You can find more information on this incredible event here!

09/02/2008

Jamie was recently hailed as a "rising star" by Opera News in their September 2008 review of Madame Butterfly, while the Aspen Times writes that "...mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton came close to stealing the show with her over-the-top witch" in Aspen Opera Theatre's Hansel and Gretel. See the full quotes on the Press page!

Also, next in line is Jamie's performance with Ars Lyrica, Houston's premiere early music group. Come and see a wonderful program of "legendary lovers" featuring soprano Ava Pine and Jamie Barton. Visit Ars Lyrica's website for more information!

07/04/2008

After a very successful run of Madame Butterfly at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Jamie is now in Aspen, CO at the Aspen Music Festival. Check her out as The Witch in a wonderful new production of Hansel and Gretel, conducted by Richard Bado and directed by Edward Berkley! July 24, 27, and 28th (and being simulcast for FREE in Aspen's Wagner Park on the 28th!)

06/08/2008

"Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton was a sensitive, supportive Suzuki who made every glance and gesture meaningful. Her voice is a gorgeous, mellow instrument. She and [Kelly] Kaduce blended perfectly in the Flower Duet." - STLtoday.com (May 2009)

Jamie has most recently been seen in Opera Theatre of St. Louis's 2008 production of Madame Butterfly. The show opened to great success on May 29th and will continue through June 28th. Visit www.opera-stl.org for ticket information!