Opera Cowpokes
Opera Stars sing Classic Western and Country Western Songs
"It's a magical compendium of classic Americana"
Lansing Comm. News
This CD means an hour or so of real fun. As I was listening, and smiling broadly all the while, I wondered about the audience for this delightful concoction - people who love opera? Western and popular songs? Crossover renditions? Probably all of the above.
Ithaca Times
Listeners' comments
cover of Opera Cowpokes by Gene Czebiniak
Opera Cowpokes cover designed by Gene Czebiniak
Three years in the making, Opera Cowpokes features nine opera stars performing western and country/western songs made famous by Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers, as well as Patsy Cline, Patsy Montana, Roger Miller and others.  Gathered by singer/producer Steven Stull, this impressive collection of singers has performed all over the world with opera companies such as: the Metropolitan Opera, English National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Deutsche Opera Berlin, New York City Opera and Glimmerglass Opera.  Opera Cowpokes was conceived and produced by singer/producer
Steven Stull
and also includes:
Phyllis Pancella,
Stephen Powell
Dean Elzinga
Raul Melo
Peter Sicilian,
Timothy LeFebvre
Todd Geer
Richard McKee.
In what is thought to be the world’s first opera/ country-western crossover album, Stull has paired these versatile singers with instrumentalists from the symphonic, jazz and western swing traditions.  Over 40 supporting musicians provide a wide range of styles from big “Hollywood” arrangements to simpler guitar and fiddle based accompaniments. Several of the twenty two songs include operatic quotes cleverly woven into the musical fabric by the talents of arranger/ composer Mark Simon.
Instrumentalists include: bassist Peter Chwazik, guitarists Dave Davies and Chris Jennings, fiddlers Eric Aceto and Laurie Hart, pedal steel guitarist Bob Carlucci and the Opera Cowpokes Orchestra and Chorus led by Bill Pelto.
Jeanne Goddard is the official choreographer of Opera Cowpokes
Opera cowpoke poetry
Peter Chwazik reading an Opera Cowpokes version of cowboy poetry (in haiku form)
Mary Reynolds supplied the screen in the background and much of the decor
We had a wild time at the Opera Cowpokes release party
 

Go to Opera Cowpokes page 2

Your favorite singers behind bars?
Recording with Gordon Stout, Bob Carlucci and Kim and Jane Dunnick

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CRS Barn Studio
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Ithaca, NY 14850
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Recordings available from the CRS Barn Studio

Go to: The Pulse of an Irishman, Irish and Scottish Songs arranged by Beethoven

Go to: "I am Prospero" instrumental works by Paul Goldstaub

Go to: Echoes, Moods and Reflections - New works for Trombone Ensemble

Go to: the CRS Barn Studio Homepage

contact us: crsbarn@lightlink.com

Opera Cowpokes Trivia:
Which Opera Cowpoke met Roy Rogers?
This and all pages copyright 1999 CRS Barn Studio and Steve Stull