Brevik: the islander who loved opera
Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Parents who want to share music with their children might take them to the opera – but islander John Brevik decided to bring the opera home to the kids.
Islanders don’t need to catch a ferry on Valentine’s Day to hear vocalists from Seattle Opera’s Young Artists Program perform, thanks to Brevik’s single-minded determination to realize a dream.
“I called them (Seattle Opera) and we really clicked,” Brevik said. “They, it turns out, had been trying to come to the island.”
Brevik conceived the notion of transporting vocalists to Bainbridge as a benefit for Island School, where his children Anna and Marit attend fifth and third grade, respectively.
Every year, the school selects a country to highlight for five weeks of cultural study, and this year the focus is Italy.
Brevik decided that “opera” and “Italy” were natural partners.
For the opera company, sending four vocalists from the Young Artists Program to perform selections from Donizetti’s comic opera, “Don Pasquale” was an experiment that might lead to sending more of the company to the island next season.
“This is a ‘putting their toe in the water’-type experience for the opera,” Brevik said. “If they are received well, they definitely want to increase their involvement.”
Seattle Opera’s Young Artists Program class includes 12 young singers beginning their professional careers. Chosen through national auditions, the vocalists train for nine months at Seattle Opera, give recitals and concerts and participate in the opera’s educational outreach.
But the program in not an internship, a spokesperson for Seattle Opera specified; these are young guest artists adding a final layer of polish.
They will give 27 recitals between February and May, and are in rehearsal for their March production, Puccini’s “La Boheme.”
Soprano Heather Parker recently won both the Sergio Franchi Award and second place in the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation Competition. Bass-baritone David Crawford has appeared in starring roles with the Boston Lyric Opera. Tenor Joseph Muir has sung in Fort Worth Opera productions in Fort Worth, Texas, and performed with Fort Worth Children’s Opera tours. And baritone Corey McKern made his professional opera debut with Opera Omaha, singing John Brooke in Adamo’s “Little Women.”
While proceeds from the evening benefit Island School, the event is Brevik’s, and planning has been something of a one-man show.
The independent mode is one with which Brevik is familiar, however.
“I’m self-employed,” said the developer of off-island real estate. “I’m a guy who does his own thing.”
Brevik, who rented the gym and the grand piano that will, for the evening, replace the upright, will chauffeur his musical guests from the ferry to his home.
After a meal served by Brevik (his wife has planned to be out of town), he will escort them to the gym, take tickets at the door, and introduce them to the audience.
“I might even be operating the spotlight,” Brevik said.
“I know there’s a humorous side to this,” he added, “one guy running all over the place, but I called the opera. I made the commitment.
“I’m going for it.”
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Jon Brevik sponsors a concert by four vocalists from Seattle Opera’s Young Artists Program, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Bainbridge High School gym.
Soprano Heather Parke, tenor Joseph Muir, baritone Corey McKern and bass-baritone David Crawford perform music Donizetti’s 1843 opera buffa, “Don Pasquale,” accompanied by pianist Craig Kier. Narration by the opera’s education director, Perry Lorenzo.
Proceeds benefit Island School. Tickets are $7 at the door. Call 842-1283 for more information.
