Making Music

Tenor Charles Castronovo was co-starring with Placido Domingo in the world premiere of “Il Postino” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion last month when he returned to campus to conduct a master class in the department where he once studied music. 

Patricia Prunty, associate professor of music, vocal area coordinator and winner of the Center for Contemporary Opera’s International Competition, made arrangements for the class. She knows talent when she hears it. 

“His voice is one of the most beautiful tenor voices I have heard in a long time,” said Prunty, who met Castronovo at Los Angeles Opera many years ago, but learned through Music Department colleague Mark Salters of Castronovo’s desire to return to campus to work with students. 

Salters, who has stayed in touch with Castronovo since the singer's student days in the early 1990s, is co-director of the department’s opera program, a vocal coach and pianist. He was the accompanyist during the master class, which brought together Prunty’s students and other music majors pursuing the voice concentration, as well as those studying musical theater. 

“It was a great pleasure to work with him,” said graduate music major Monica Hull. “His guidance has made a significant improvement in my singing just by redirecting my breathing.” 

During his Oct. 15 visit, Castronovo first performed for the students assembled in the Recital Hall, then offered critiques of and assistance to students who sang. Besides Hull, senior theatre arts major Michelle Ferrara also joined him on stage. 

“The students thoroughly enjoyed his visit,” Prunty said. “They were enthralled to hear him sing, and very interested in his story and how he has made his career. 

“In fact, I am continually answering their questions about various comments Charles made,” she added, “so I know he made quite an impact on all the students and that they were listening intently to what he had to say. It is, of course, such a wonderful experience for them to meet singers of Charles’ stature. He is very engaging as a singer and clinician.” 

She also noted that “his honesty in talking about his life made quite an impression.”  

As a Cal State Fullerton student, Castronovo performed in three campus productions: “Amal and the Night Visitors,” The Crucible” and “Marriage of Figaro,” where he was scouted by Opera Pacific, then offered a place in the company’s apprentice program, recalled Salters.

“We’re trying to arrange a campus recital for him in the fall, whenever he happens to have a hole in his schedule,” Salters said, noting that Castronovo has wanted to perform in recital here for years.

Since his student days, Castronovo has entertained audiences around the world. Among recent engagements, he performed the title role in “Faust” for the Pittsburgh Opera, Rodolfo in “La Bohème” with the Detroit Opera, Nadir in “Les pêcheur de Perles” with the San Francisco Opera, Belmonte in “Die Enthührung aus dem Serail" at the Salzburg Festival and Nemorino in “L'Elisir d'amore” with the Paris Opera. 

This month, he travels to the Bavarian State Opera to perform the role of Don Ottavio in “Don Giovanni,” opening Nov. 14. By December, he’ll be on a concert tour of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg and Perm. Next year, he’s booked through mid-July, returning stateside in February to play Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” for the Dallas Opera, then onto engagements in Germany, Italy and France.

Caption: Opera singer Charles Castronovo works with grad student Monica Hull during a master class he conducted in October in the university’s Recital Hall.

Nov. 8, 2010