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Marcos Galvany Produces 'Oh My Son' Limited Edition CD
November 4, 2013
(Photo by: OMS Productions)
A little over three years ago, Marcos Galvany premiered "Oh My Son," his original operatic tableaux about the life of Jesus at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Each aria is inspired by stories the composer's mother shared with him as a young boy near Valencia as they watched the larger than life figures parading through their town of Crevillente before Easter.
(Photo by: Marlon Corvera )
Marcos Galvany
The world premiere was sold out, and since then, this brilliant musician has been performing "Oh My Son" to standing room only crowds in Spain, and plans a very special Vatican performance (postponed from April due to the resignation of Pope Benedict) in Spring of 2014.
Next year, Mr. Galvany will also be performing his opera in other Spanish cities and here in Los Angeles at Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
(Photo by: OMS Productions)
From the Spanish premiere of "Oh My Son"
Listen to an excerpt from "Oh My Son" here.
The "Oh My Son" CD will be recorded on December 4thand 5th with musicians from the DC National Opera Orchestra and the DC National Orchestra Choir.
(Photo by: OMS Productions)
Produced by 11-time Grammy Award winner Rafa Sardina, an 11-time Grammy Award winner, this OMS Production CD will be released internationally in March 2014.
This Special Limited Edition CD will include: a deluxe program insert, CD signed by the composer, and aditional tracks in Spanish. Order your CD here and NOW!
For those who would like to help ensure that OMS Productions will be able to continue live performances around the world, a 100% tax deductible donation can be made here.
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Rutger de Vink, Great American Winemaker
October 21, 2013
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
RdV Vineyards
When you think of a great American winemaker, Rutger de Vink is unlikely the first name that comes to mind. But it should be. This Virginia farmer's ten year journey to producing Bordeaux-style blends in league with the best from Napa and Bordeaux is nothing short of inspiring.
A Holland native, de Vink joined the U.S. Marine Corps while studying business at Colgate University, and following a stint that took him to Mogadishu, spent a few years in the telecom business in the Washington, D.C. metro area before deciding his passion was wine.
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
RdV Vines
In Linden Vineyards’, Jim Law, he found his viticulturist mentor and traveled the world (first stop Bordeaux) in search of the right terroir. Terroir, roughly translated from the French is the soil and land composition where the grapes are grown and its uniqueness should be expressed through the wine.
The perfect spot? “A magical granite hillside” in Delaplane, Virginia. Yes, Delaplane. Call it karma, Delaplane is equidistance from Napa and Bordeaux.
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
Exposed granite in the cave
The Angus cow farmer who sold the land to this neophyte felt guilty taking his money, said Joshua Granier, who is now RdV Vineyards' technical director.
De Vink chose Virginia-based architect Andrew Lewis to build him a vineyard that would "pay homage to the traditional American farmer." Lewis did just that, and so much more.
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
RdV Vineyards in Delaplane, Virginia
Like Bordeaux, RdV’s 30,000 vines are grown on 16 planted acres on the hillside (in this case, directly above solid granite) with each varietal neatly separated.
On the winery tour, Jenny Marie explained the three basic priciples of great fermentation: time (3-4 weeks), temperature (adjustable), and agitation (stirring the skins and seeds to give the juice complexity).
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
Mountain view from the winery
Oenologist Eric Boissenot, consultant to Château Latour, and viticulturist Jean-Philippe Roby, a professor at the University of Bordeaux are helping de Vink produce an Old World-New World great American wine at the rate of 1,500 cases a year. On RdV's first vintage in 2008, Boissenot paid de Vink the ultimate compliment; that his wine was a "terroir." Terroir, roughly translated is the soil and land composition where the grapes are grown and that uniqueness should be expressed through the wine.
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
"Surface to countertop granite" soil sample sculpture
The vineyard, producing for three years now, makes two blends whose percentage of grape varies a bit, depending on yearly weather and soil conditions. Rendezvous is roughly a third Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a bit of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Explains Eric Boissenot, "On the palate the wine reveals a ripe tanin structure that is both harmonious and flattering ..." Lost Mountain, Cab-driven with a bit of Merlot and Petit Verdot "reveals a complex nose of dense black fruit notes and subtle oak."
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
Horizontal Flight
A horizontal flight (including the newly released 2010s) on an Autumn afternoon left this taster dazzled. Long in search of a Virginia wine for which excuses did not have to be made. "Pretty good for a Virginia wine, don't you think?" I often had to say to my guests as I quickly resumed my quest. The search is officially over.
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
Jenny with a bottle of Exsurgo Wine
Incidentaly, there's also Exsurgo, the RdV blend that is only sold on their website and for which all the proceeds benefit Hope For The Warriors®, an organization helping the families of U.S. servicemen. A fitting tribute by this military man turned world-class winemaker.
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
rdV Cave
RdV Vineyards is open for private tours and tastings.
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
RdV Vineyards
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ENO: Designed For Wine
October 14, 2013Slated to open this month, ENO Georgetown is the company's sixth wine bar, and the first on the east coast. The ENO brand, which originated in Chicago, is known for its relaxed approach to wine appreciation and for its welcoming ambience.
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
Wine Directors, Jeffrey Barrentos and Jay Janney
The Georgetown Dish had a sneak peek at this cozy three-story wine bar with exposed brick, and architectural grey detailing. Two climate-controlled wine cellars, one visible through glass doors and a stunning two-story high chandelier/mobile made out of wine barrels are the bar's only decoration.
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
Deconstructed wine barrel chandelier
Jeffrey Barrientos, the new Wine Director had this to say, “What excites me most about ENO is the opportunity I have to start a relationship with guests, and build an interested and invested wine community. This is not just about me telling everyone what I love on our list, but about listening to our patrons on their preferences and, along the way, introducing them to our unique offerings.”
Barrientos intends to offer hundreds of selections from both the Old World and New. He will also showcase several Virginia wineries including King Family Vineyards, Paradise Springs Winery and Barboursville Vineyards. Approximately half the bottles on the menu will be priced under $50. ENO will also feature 50 wines by the glass, eight on tap, with prices starting at $9.
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
New plumbing, historic brick
Barrientos looks forward to hosting informal meet-and-greets with some of the winemakers, chocolatiers and cheese makers featured in ENO’s food and beverage program. These sessions will give guests a chance to chat with artisans and winemakers in a casual and intimate setting.
The bar will feature flights, complementing the selection of food, much from local producers including charcuterie selections from Stachowski’s Market in DC, chocolate truffles from Virginia confectioner Gearharts and cheeses from Calkins Creamery in Pennsylvania and Cherry Glenn Goat Cheese Co. in Maryland.
Welcome to the neighborhood, ENO!
(Photo by: Judith Beermann)
ENO Georgetown
ENO is located at 2810 Pennsylvania Avenue.
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