See video to the right for a five minute viewing of a typical program:
A graduate of the presigtious Merola Opera Program of the San Francisco Opera, baritone, Richard Fey has been performing Richard Fey, A Classical Cabaret for over 2000 people in the Bay Area since 2006. Richard engages his audience in an entertaining way with his relaxed style and his expressive baritone voice interspersed with brief descriptions and translations of the pieces performed. He sings operatic arias, sophisticated art songs and musical theater favorites. To enhance theatricality, Richard employs costumes for both dramatic and comedic effect. Invite your friends over for a musical salon right in your living room! Please check out information below regarding a Home Concert. All you need is a decent and in-tune piano in your living room. |
If you look really close, I am the singer on the far left in this photo in Heidelberg, German, where I more or less got my start as section leader in the 7th Army Soldiers' Chorus. It was a great cross cultural experience and we sang all over Germany, as well as many locations in Belgium, Holland and Italia. One of our songs: "March along! Sing our Song! With the Army of the Free! . . ."
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Mein Sehnen, mein wehnen, "Die Tode Stadt", and Rodgers & Hammerstein, "Oklahoma"
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma medley is part of my current program, as well as standards from like In the Still of the Night. Opera arias include the famous prologue to Leoncavallo's i pagliacci and a wonderful lyric aria from the lesser known Eric Korngold opera Die Tode Stadt (The Dead City).
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This is my rendition of Mozart's famous "catalogue" aria sung by Leporello from the opera "Don Giovanni." I created a flip chart to enhance the understanding of the audience of the hysterical comic text to Mozart's great aria and character. |
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Sooooooon, Papageno, the bird catcher from Mozart's "Magic Flute" will be included in a program. I've had lots of fun putting together this costume and rehearsing the music . . . I probably shouldln't have cluttered my website up with yet another piece of information, but I JUST COULDN'T RESIST! Keep watching . . . and listening, Papageno will soon appear!!!! Aria lyrics: "I am a man of widespread fame, and Papageno is my name! . . . I make my living catching birds!"
This is the first in home program that I sang when I first started this venture. An italian friend, Gianmaria Mossio, came and while he listened he drew these charming cartoon sketches which reflect the story behind several of the songs. The program included humorous songs about crabs, dolphins, stars and other colorful themes.
Here are examples of some pieces included in Richard Fey, A Classical Cabaret. [Quality of sound will vary by computer and/or playback device.]
"Mack the Knife," from Brecht's "Three Penny Opera"
“O What a Beautiful Mornin'” by Rodgers and Hammerstein from "Oklahoma"
"Madamina" from Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni"
“è morto Pulcinella!” by Francisco Tosti
"Ching-a-Ring Chaw" from Aaron Copland's Old American Songs
"La maîtress volage" (French ribald humor), Francis Poulenc
"Mack the Knife," from Brecht's "Three Penny Opera"
“O What a Beautiful Mornin'” by Rodgers and Hammerstein from "Oklahoma"
"Madamina" from Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni"
“è morto Pulcinella!” by Francisco Tosti
"Ching-a-Ring Chaw" from Aaron Copland's Old American Songs
"La maîtress volage" (French ribald humor), Francis Poulenc
Richard has a degree from Simpson College and has attended various courses at Yale Summer School of Music & Art, Indiana University and the Italian Cultural Institute in Florence, Italy.
As section leader of the 7th Army Soldiers’ Chorus stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, he has traveled extensively performing in locations ranging from the Berlin Volkfest to concert halls and military bases. His performance repertoire includes Don Quixote in "Man of La Mancha," Figaro in both the Rossini and Mozart versions of the opera, and many other operatic and musical theater roles. Additionally, he has sung extensive oratorio works around the Bay Area and in Germany.
Richard is a member of the Bay Area Professional Singers’ Forum and a graduate
of the Merola Program of San Francisco Opera. He is currently on the faculty of
the Community Music Center in San Francisco and is bass section leader in the
choir of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley.
Comments & Reviews
“. . . A fine voice is a joy, but when coupled with intelligence, such as Fey’s, the results are wondrous!”
San Francisco Chronicle
“Fey’s youthful bass has uncommon sweetness of tone. He has a beautiful sense of legato line, with hints of the sorts of pearly tones one expects from tenor Jose Carreras.”
San Francisco Chronicle
“He [Richard Fey] has a terrific stage presence, sings beautifully and demonstrated what can be done by performers who know how to enunciate clearly, it was a revelation.”
Marin Scope
“Richard . . .
"You were a huge success. Residents flocked in my office to let me know how wonderful you were and how they were touched by your music. They felt that you two were working very well together. Thanks a million for this special performance. You are welcome anytime here at The Redwoods. Bea Lott (program director)”
The Redwoods
"I felt like I was at the opera house while watching your performance . . . you made my day!
Temple Beth El, San Mateo
“You were the most professional we’ve had here.” “Hearing the French reminded me of my days in the service when I was a translator. A wonderful program!” “I loved the Italian songs!”
Rossmoor Retirement Center
“You can come back any time! It was a program with a lot of variety and contrast, a wonderful performance.”
The Jewish Home, San Francisco
“I just loved the variety and people especially enjoyed the costumes. . . . a really wonderful performance.” “I loved your program and the fact that you didn’t condescend to us and sing O solo mio!”
San Francisco Towers
“I was hypnotized by your performance yesterday! What can I say . . . it was inspiring! I felt it was wonderful.” “You made my day!!!”
Jewish Community Center, San Francisco
“. . . A fine voice is a joy, but when coupled with intelligence, such as Fey’s, the results are wondrous!”
San Francisco Chronicle
“Fey’s youthful bass has uncommon sweetness of tone. He has a beautiful sense of legato line, with hints of the sorts of pearly tones one expects from tenor Jose Carreras.”
San Francisco Chronicle
“He [Richard Fey] has a terrific stage presence, sings beautifully and demonstrated what can be done by performers who know how to enunciate clearly, it was a revelation.”
Marin Scope
“Richard . . .
"You were a huge success. Residents flocked in my office to let me know how wonderful you were and how they were touched by your music. They felt that you two were working very well together. Thanks a million for this special performance. You are welcome anytime here at The Redwoods. Bea Lott (program director)”
The Redwoods
"I felt like I was at the opera house while watching your performance . . . you made my day!
Temple Beth El, San Mateo
“You were the most professional we’ve had here.” “Hearing the French reminded me of my days in the service when I was a translator. A wonderful program!” “I loved the Italian songs!”
Rossmoor Retirement Center
“You can come back any time! It was a program with a lot of variety and contrast, a wonderful performance.”
The Jewish Home, San Francisco
“I just loved the variety and people especially enjoyed the costumes. . . . a really wonderful performance.” “I loved your program and the fact that you didn’t condescend to us and sing O solo mio!”
San Francisco Towers
“I was hypnotized by your performance yesterday! What can I say . . . it was inspiring! I felt it was wonderful.” “You made my day!!!”
Jewish Community Center, San Francisco
PRIVATE HOME CONCERTS
Richard is available to sing at your event or in your home. He enjoys singing for smaller groups and in intimate settings for optimal contact with his audience. A well-functioning, tuned piano needs to be available at the location.
If you would like to make arrangements to have Richard Fey
perform varied and interesting opera, classical arts songs and musical theater for you and your friends, see below for the contact information.
You can call for more information about the rates that are
affordable for you individually or you and your guests collectively.
Richard is available to sing at your event or in your home. He enjoys singing for smaller groups and in intimate settings for optimal contact with his audience. A well-functioning, tuned piano needs to be available at the location.
If you would like to make arrangements to have Richard Fey
perform varied and interesting opera, classical arts songs and musical theater for you and your friends, see below for the contact information.
You can call for more information about the rates that are
affordable for you individually or you and your guests collectively.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
phone: (415) 550-0664
email: classicalcabaret@hotmail.com
PLEASE CALL TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE PRICES