FM #1410 - Mary Anning - Fossil Hunter - 03/11/25

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Jon Mitchell, composer of the Chamber opera, Mary Anning, Fossil Hunter. Timothy Ayres-Kerr, joins us for the discussion on the origin of this opera and its scheduled performance in Grafton on April 5. 

Tim will play the role of William Buckland. We find out that he did not prepare for this by eating “mice on toast.” He does share some vocal insights on this role, his preparation and the history of opera in America in the course of our conversation.

We met to record this conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio studios on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.  

We talk about 

• Origin story, cast of historical characters, chamber opera in 2 acts
• Claflin Hill performance at the Apple Tree Arts Center in Grafton
• Additions & changes to the performance, only 1 of the original cast unable to return
• Dean College Vocal Ensembles to join as the chorus

The conversation runs about 42 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jon and Tim

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Jon Ceander Mitchell -> his UMass Boston profile page (although he is now retired) https://faculty.umb.edu/jon_mitchell/ 

Tim Ayres-Kerr - FPAC profile -> https://www.fspaonline.com/news.php?id=1604 

TIm’s page -> https://timsingsthings.wixsite.com/mysite 

Conductor Luis Viquez webpage -> https://www.luisviquezmusic.com/ 

Tickets available for the Claflin Hill performance at the Apple Tree Arts Center in Grafton -> https://www.claflinhill.org/claflin-hill-apple-tree-arts-chamber-series/chamber-concert-1-khjjz

Mary Anning’s wikipedia page -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Anning 

Flyer for the April 5, 2025 performance -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/15z8kqYSuETXL45PRFEXuQjtnek6n4J6R/view?usp=sharing

Program from the June 2024 performance -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/13UyjkG6CyzR0iMW21nIlPk_niEHj0x1N/view?usp=drive_link 

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The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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