VIDEO

Tenor and Chapman University alumnus Ashley Faatoalia partners with pianist Louise Thomas, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Performing Arts at Chapman, for a program of classic art songs, familiar arias and beloved spirituals – presented in collaboration with LA Opera as part of Chapman’s weeklong Chapman Family Homecoming.

On Saturday, February 13th at 5:00 PM PST, Russell Thomas welcomes Ashley Faatoalia, Tiffany Townsend and Alaysha Fox to the #LAOperaOnNow digital stage for the first episode in our newly revived After Hours series, Black Love. The three will perform a program of love songs from renowned Black composers curated by none other than Russell Thomas himself. Come join us and experience what's sure to be the sweetest renditions of works by H.T. Burleigh, Leslie H. Adams, Margaret Bonds, and more.

Artbound presents a one hour special focused on the avant-garde opera, "Invisible Cities." Produced by The Industry, L.A.'s experimental opera company, in partnership with the L.A. Dance Project, "Invisible Cities" depicts the meeting between emperor Kublai Khan at the end of his life with the explorer Marco Polo, as told in Italo Calvino's fantastical book. An innovative production staged in the iconic Union Station, the opera utilizes wireless technology provided by Sennheiser, offering audience members headphones to hear the opera amid the normal "hustle and bustle" of the train station's everyday life. "Invisible Cities" is composed and adapted by Christopher Cerrone, directed by The Industry's founder and artistic director Yuval Sharon, with choreography by Danielle Agami. See more Invisible Cities here: http://bit.ly/19tw0lW Subscribe to Artbound's newsletter: http://bit.ly/15ZeWVb Watch all Artbound videos here: http://bit.ly/15Zf5bd Artbound articles, videos, and more: http://bit.ly/QQxJUf Like Artbound on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/V6BrM0 Follow Artbound on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1aWPWQA

ASHLEY FAATOALIA The Industry Company Tenor

Jesse (Ashley Faatoalia) foresees the next hurricane that will destroy Crescent City. May 10-27, 2012 Atwater Crossing, Los Angeles, CA Music by Anne LeBaron Libretto by Douglas Kearney Directed by Yuval Sharon Conducted by Marc Lowenstein Produced by Laura Kay Swanson Curated by Brianna Gorton Technical Director Eric Nolfo Crescent City was the first production of The Industry and an immersive yet elusive multimedia spectacle, with a scenery designed by five different visual artists, where every vantage point offers a unique perspective. Anne LeBaron’s electronically-infused music weaves together zydeco, gospel, voodoo drumming, and ancient Korean traditions to create an unforgettably phantasmagoric score, with a live orchestra of 18 and a phenomenal cast of eight singers.

Tenor Ashley Faatoalia sings the National Anthem at Staples Center on December 25, 2012.

Ready to explore the opera house and learn what it takes to be a great opera audience? The "doors" are open. First, take a guided virtual tour of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and then enjoy a magical opera performance that’s written just for you and your little ones. Part Three: Giving us the opportunity to practice our great opera audience skills in place, our opera pals perform an excerpt from The Girl of the Golden West. This opera by Giacomo Puccini is set in Northern California during the 1850's Gold Rush. Miners, a bandit, a sheriff and a tavern-keeper make for a tale of love, betrayal, and forgiveness. Cast: Jamie Chamberlin, soprano Ashley Faatoalia, tenor Abdiel Gonzalez, baritone Tali Tadmor, piano Directed by Eli Villanueva and Rick Kent

The story of “Fly Me To The Moon” is almost as impressive as the moon landing itself. Bart Howard wrote this love song for singer Mable Mercer in just 20 minutes saying “it just flew out of me”. He then took it to a publisher who loved everything except the first line of the chorus, “Fly me to the moon”, since nobody said “fly me”, and suggested switching it to “Take me to the moon”. Howard refused. For years the song was heard in all of New York’s cabarets. Then, beginning with Kaye Ballard, who was the first to record it, “Fly Me to the Moon” became a favorite of all recording artists. One 1964 day, out of the blue, Frank Sinatra phoned Quincy Jones to ask if he could arrange and conduct a studio session of the song.  About that fateful moment, Quincy Jones said, “Looking back, that call from Frank was a major turning point in my career and my life…Frank was my style. He was hip, straight up, and straight ahead, and above all, a monster musician.” Sonny Payne’s brushes set the swing tempo, Count Basie provided a couple of piano plinks an octave apart, and Sinatra sang… “Fly Me To The Moon”. Pure magic! Which brings us to 1969, the year that very recording literally flew to the moon!   Quite the journey! MUSE/IQUE’s Ashley Faatoalia and Molly Miller pay homage to this American classic. CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction by Artistic Director Rachael Worby 1:27 "Fly Me To The Moon"