Michael Shell - Stage Director |
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Name Michael ShellAbout
Upcoming engagements include: In Januaray 2010, he will return to Webster University to direct their Opera Scenes Performance; AD for Candace Evans on Don Pasquale at Dallas Opera; AD for James Robinson at OTSL on The Marriage of Figaro and the world premier of The Golden Ticket. Figaro is part of a three season project at OTSL in which Michael will co-directDon Giovanni with J. Robinson in 2011, and direct Cosi fan tutte in 2012. Michael comes from a performance/musician background having begun his performing career as a boy soprano covering the role of Ynoild in Pelléas et Mélisande with the Metropolitan Opera. He also performed with The New York City Opera and OMTI as the Third Spirit in their productions on The Magic Flute. He graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts receiving a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music degrees with focus on Vocal Performance. He was one of the first Fellows to graduate from the A.J.Fletcher Opera Institute. On a talent scholarship he studied acting with Edward Morehouse and Carol Rosenfield at H.B.Studios in NYC. He has performed roles at Opera Omaha, Virginia Opera, Western Plains Opera, Piedmont Opera, Toledo Opera, New Orleans Opera, Chautauqua Opera, and Michigan Opera Theater. As a conductor he was the Assistant Conductor for the Winston Salem Symphony Chorale, The Dessoff Choirs in New York City and assistant conductor on several productions at The North Carolina School of the Arts. He was the assistant conductor for the US premier of John Tavener’s The Veil of The Temple at Avery Fisher Hall for Lincoln Center Festival.
Webster University Opera Studio *Don Pasquale *The Golden Ticket *The Golden Ticket Don Giovanni Cosi fan tutte (* Denotes Assistant Director Credits)
Sarah Jane McMahon at Joe's Pub Opera Theatre Cabaret Night Opera Theater of St. Louis/Cabaret St. Louis, 2009 Guest Lecturer Florida State University, Opera Scenes/Opera Workshop, 2009 Opera Scenes Program University of North Carolina School of the Arts, 2009 Webster University Opera Studio Webster University, 2009 Dido and Aeneas Cond. K. Kozack, Central City Opera, 2008 Street Scene Cond. J. Allbritten, A.J.Fletcher Opera Institute, 2008 The Tragedy of Carmen Cond S. Robertson, Opera Omaha, 2008 All the Kings Men Cond. J. Gawf, Opera Omaha, 2008 La Traviata Cond. J. Allbritten, Piedmont Opera, 2007 Opera Ala Carte Scenes Program Central City Opera, 2007, 2008 North Carolina School of the Arts Opera Workshop Guest Instructor 2007 Il Trovatore Cond. A. Coppola, Opera Tampa, 2007 Così fan tutte Cond. J.Allbritten, Piedmont Opera Educational Tour, 2007 Young American Artist Opera Scenes Glimmerglass Opera, 2006 Sleeping Beauty Cond. J.Walsh, Virginia Opera, 2006 Daughter of the Regiment Cond. C. Cummings, Opera Company of the Highlands, 2006
The Ghost of Versailles Dir. J. Robinson, Wexford Festival Opera,2009
A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute - Profession Artist Certificate 2002
Opera Theatre Cabaret Night - Opera Theatre of Saint Louis 2009 "Michael Shell's nimble, clever and smartly-paced stage direction gave the performers at Opera Theatre Cabaret Night -- Kelly Kaduce, Lee Gregory, Elizabeth Batton and Garrett Sorenson -- the chance to show not only their enormous talent, but their enormous charm." - Jim Dolan, Cabaret STL Dido and Aeneas- Central City Opera 2008 "...kudos go to Michael Shell for his creative staging, effectively incorporating large, moveable mirrors." "...Purcell's Baroque-era compositional style felt fresh, airy and relevant in its modern setting." - Denver Post "Dido found the mostly female cast skipping about among six large rolling mirrors and clearly enjoying Shell's loose approach to this ancient tale." "Shell brought a contemporary feel through modern dress and relaxed interplay. But the final tragedy remained intact." - Rocky Mountain News La Traviata - Piedmont Opera 2007 "Director Michael Shell has come up with a staging at the Stevens Center that enhances every scene in just the right way, be it the most intimate of encounters or a rollicking party scene in which a large chorus is crammed on John Wright Stevens’ small, attractive and multifunctional stage." - The Winston Salem Journal Piedmont Opera's Triumphant Staging of Verdi's La Traviata "The Stevens Center of the North Carolina School of the Arts seemed packed with opera lovers eagerly anticipating the opening night performance of La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi superbly directed by Michael Shell. Stage Director Michael Shell brought out many details that clarified relationships. For example, using Set Designer John Wright Stevens' fine multilevel unit stage set at a 45-degree angle to the audience, Shell placed Alfredo and his rival Baron Douphol on the corner closest to the listener. This drew a focus on their early animosity, often lost on a larger stage in a sea of too much stage business. In Act III, Shell also heightened the impact of Alfredo's rebuke of his father for his disastrous interference." - Classical Voice of North Carolina The Tragedy of Carmen - Opera Omaha 2008 "Michael Shell deserves credit for an emotional staging" - Omaha World Herald Available by Request: Production Stills and Video Clips, Reviews, List of References Conductor, Choreographer and Singer Credits www.mshell.carbonmade.com best if viewed using Internet Explorer |
Location 22/11-2/12: NC
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