Episode 8 Of The Voice Detective Show: Honoring Giacomo Puccini 100 Years on November 29, 2024

Giacomo Puccini needs no introduction for lovers of opera. Born in Lucca to the west of Florence, like Mozart, another great composer of operas, Giacomo was from a family of professional musicians employed by the Church. Indeed going back to his great grandfather, also named Giacomo, the director of male line had held the position of Maestro di Capella in the Cathedral of Lucca.

This year on the 29 November though we celebrate the 100th anniversary of his death. He was a thoroughly modern man, enamoured of automobiles, the latest technologies, and contemporary lifestyle. It’s hard to believe it, but he composed only 12 operas, which are of such outstanding quality in terms of music and dramatic content, that his reputation as one of the greatest opera composers is secure on such a slender opus. No opera house it would seem can have a season without some of Puccini’s masterpieces being performed. And the ability he had, to combine words and music with emotional effect are exceptional. If Orpheus had the ability to tame wild beasts, cause rocks to move, and even influence the gods, then Puccini must surely come a close second in his ability to move the hardest hearts with his soul-piercing arias. It would be difficult to find a man that doesn’t want to sing nessun dorma or a woman who is not inspired to try to sing visi d’arte.

Once his financial security was assured, Puccini lived at Torre del Lago until his final years. Here he indulged his passions for hunting, the simple life, and wrote many of his most memorable opera scores. And here too, one may visit his villa on the shores of the lake and savour some of the gentle atmosphere of the place that he called home. And here too, each Summer there is a Puccini Festival which draws opera lovers, Puccini fans and musicians from all over the world.

Episode 7 Part 2 of The Voice Detective Show with Garth McLean

Garth McLean, is a Canadian actor, author, and a dedicated practitioner and highly respected Senior teacher of Iyengar yoga living in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Garth’s acting credits include the Hollywood films Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Prototype, Rockin’ Road Trip and Chicago Hope.
Having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1996, Garth manages his condition and his hectic acting and yoga teaching schedule with a daily practice of Iyengar Yoga as presented by the late Yoga master, Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar.
Garth is a leading light in the world Iyengar community and the Iyengar family in Pune, India where since 2000, he returns annually to study and deepen his practice. He learned yoga directly from both the late B.K.S. Iyengar himself, and his eldest daughter Geeta.
As a teacher of yoga, he is a senior level Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher “CIYT” (Level 3 – Intermediate Sr III), a Certified Yoga Therapist and Approved Professional Development Provider with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with yoga alliance.
In 2019, Garth was honoured to serve as the headline Iyengar Yoga teacher at the World Yoga Festival. In addition to this, that same year, he was a presenter and plenary speaker at the International Association of Yoga Therapists Symposium of Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR).
Garth has served as a guest teacher at the France Iyengar Yoga Teachers’ Convention (2009), the Spain Iyengar Yoga Teachers’ Convention (2011), and more recently is a co presenter at the European Congress of Rehabilitation and Medicine in Slovenia (April 2024).
He teaches yoga intensives locally and globally. In addition to regular intensives, he offers workshops on the positive effect of yoga on multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. He regularly offers workshops in Europe, the UK, and South America. He has also taught in Australia, Russia Federation and Tunisia.
He is a co-founder and current board faculty member of the Iyengar Yoga Therapeutics group, a non-profit organisation based in Los Angeles whose mission is to helping people manage diseases and conditions through the therapeutic applications of yoga. Garth serves on the advisory board and is a faculty member of AnuYoga, a non-profit organisation (Tel Aviv), that facilitates the integration of Iyengar Yoga as a therapeutic intervention for patient rehabilitative care in hospitals and the medical field.
He has published Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis, A Practical Guide for People with Multiple Sclerosis and Yoga Teachers, (Singing Dragon Books, London 2020).
In last month’s Episode 7 Part One ‘Iyengar Yoga for (Dis)Abilities’, Garth tells Gyaan about his journey with Multiple Sclerosis and how Iyengar Yoga has helped him keep his condition in remission…
In this month’s Episode 7 Part Two, ‘Garth McLean’s Acting Journey Insights’, Garth will talk about his experience in acting and performing. His experience as a student of acting included working with Sanford Meisner in New York at his Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. More recently, he has written and performed a one-person show entitled, Looking For Lightning, about his journey which he performed live at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2018). More about Looking for Lightning can be found at www.lookingforlightning.com

Episode 7 Part 1 of The Voice Detective Show with Garth McLean

Garth McLean, is a Canadian actor, author, and a dedicated practitioner and highly respected teacher of yoga living in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Blessed in his own words with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 1996, and having navigated many of the the symptoms associated with the condition, Garth manages his course of MS and a hectic schedule with a daily practice of Iyengar Yoga as presented by Yoga master, Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar.
Garth is a leading light in the world Iyengar community and the Iyengar family in Pune, India where since 2000, he returns annually to study and deepen his practice. He learned yoga directly from both B.K.S. Iyengar himself, and his eldest daughter Geeta.
As a teacher of yoga, he is a senior level Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher “CIYT” (Level 3 – Intermediate Sr III), a Certified Yoga Therapist and Approved Professional Development Provider with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with yoga alliance.
In 2019, Garth was honoured to serve as the headline Iyengar Yoga teacher at the World Yoga Festival. In addition to this, that same year, he was a presenter and plenary speaker at the International Association of Yoga Therapists Symposium of Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR).
Garth has served as a guest teacher at the France Iyengar Yoga Teachers’ Convention (2009), the Spain Iyengar Yoga Teachers’ Convention (2011), and more recently is a co presenter at the European Congress of Rehabilitation and Medicine in Slovenia (April 2024).
He teaches yoga intensives locally and globally. In addition to regular intensives, he offers workshops on the positive effect of yoga on multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. He regularly offers workshops in Europe, the UK, and South America. He has also taught in Australia, Russia Federation and Tunisia.
He is a co-founder and current board faculty member of the Iyengar Yoga Therapeutics group, a non-profit organisation based in Los Angeles whose mission is to helping people manage diseases and conditions through the therapeutic applications of yoga. Garth serves on the advisory board and is a faculty member of AnuYoga, a non-profit organisation (Tel Aviv), that facilitates the integration of Iyengar Yoga as a therapeutic intervention for patient rehabilitative care in hospitals and the medical field.
He has published Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis, A Practical Guide for People with Multiple Sclerosis and Yoga Teachers, (Singing Dragon Books, London 2020).
In this month’s Episode 7 Part One ‘Iyengar Yoga for (Dis)Abilities’, Garth tells Gyaan about his journey with Multiple Sclerosis and how Iyengar Yoga has helped him keep his condition in remission…
In next month’s Episode 7 Part Two, ‘Garth McLean’s Journey as an Actor’, Garth will talk about his experience in acting and performing. His experience as a student of acting included working with Sanford Meisner in New York. More recently, he has written and performed a one-person show entitled, Looking For Lightning, about his journey which he performed live at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2018).

Episode 6 Part 2 of The Voice Detective Show with James Lloyd-Wyatt Recording: Preparation and Process

James Lloyd-Wyatt is a musician, producer, owner operator, and chief engineer at Ginger Studios in Melbourne, Australia – a world class recording studio capable of delivering the highest level of music production. 

 Drawing on 20 years of experience, James has worked with many big name international  recording artists such as Justin Bieber, Wu Tang Clan and Flume. But his real passion is working with artists at the beginning of their journey, at the start of their recording career, where he can affect a positive change in them and give them a great first experience.  

 James’ primary focus has been harnessing and showcasing the best features in artists’ music. His primary tuition in mixing came from the watchful eye of the legendary Mike Shipley, known for recording and mixing Australian and international artists such as Alison Krauss, Maroon 5, Def Leppard, Joni Mitchell, and Greenday. Michael passed the secrets of his trade to James, who has taken those special skills and integrated them into a modern workflow. In 2008-2009, James also worked with Jonathan Burnside whose studio is known for his recordings of the Australian groups Sleepy Jackson, Dallas Crane and  Grinspoon. 

 In Part One of a two part interview, Voice Detective is very pleased to speak and learn from James about what is Sound  Engineering, Mixing, and how James got into music producing… 

In next month’s Part 2,  we will explore further the intricacies of  the set up – in particular the various approaches for  capturing the best vocal performance and sound replication for singers both in the popular and classical genres – the recording process and the aftermath. 

Episode 6 Part 1 of The Voice Detective Show with James Lloyd-Wyatt: Sound Engineering and James’ Background

James Lloyd-Wyatt is a musician, producer, owner operator, and chief engineer at Ginger Studios in Melbourne, Australia – a world class recording studio capable of delivering the highest level of music production. 

 Drawing on 20 years of experience, James has worked with many big name international  recording artists such as Justin Bieber, Wu Tang Clan and Flume. But his real passion is working with artists at the beginning of their journey, at the start of their recording career, where he can affect a positive change in them and give them a great first experience.  

 James’ primary focus has been harnessing and showcasing the best features in artists’ music. His primary tuition in mixing came from the watchful eye of the legendary Mike Shipley, known for recording and mixing Australian and international artists such as Alison Krauss, Maroon 5, Def Leppard, Joni Mitchell, and Greenday. Michael passed the secrets of his trade to James, who has taken those special skills and integrated them into a modern workflow. In 2008-2009, James also worked with Jonathan Burnside whose studio is known for his recordings of the Australian groups Sleepy Jackson, Dallas Crane and  Grinspoon. 

 In Part One of a two part interview, Voice Detective is very pleased to speak and learn from James about what is Sound  Engineering, Mixing, and how James got into music producing… 

In next month’s Part 2,  we will explore further the intricacies of  the set up – in particular the various approaches for  capturing the best vocal performance and sound replication for singers both in the popular and classical genres – the recording process and the aftermath. 

Episode Number Five Of The Voice Detective Show with Kevin Schwager, Chiropractor in Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia

Kevin is not your usual chiropractor. He uses many therapeutic modalities and life skills gleaned over his 37 years of practice. From an early age he has had an interest in physical fitness and health. Growing up near one of Sydney’s southern beaches,surfing and body surfing became a life-long passion as well as other competitive sporting activities where he could test himself against his personal best.

With this background, it is no surprise to learn that he joined a long line with a family tradition practicing as a chiropractor, a profession which his daughter also now continues.

Excelling at everything he put his mind to, Kevin taught himself to speed read and became a voracious reader. He acknowledges that, he has been particularly influenced by Dr John Demartini’s teachings and the mind’s ability to accomplish the heart’s desires.
  
Kevin is a believer in one’s capacity to overcome adversities with our natural innate abilities and the body’s capacity to heal. From the outset, he always sees his patients as being whole and healthy and uses his skills in kinesiology to find the hidden healing paths to unlock the patient’s ability to get into contact with that wholeness themselves. He is very mindful of how non-violent communication with others and within ourselves, combining with the power of a positive thought will forge our daily lives. These attitudes have become the bedrock of his spiritual practices.

On his own healing path, Kevin has forged friendships with Aboriginal Elders and has been a humble student of the ancient Dreamtime ways and practises. He actively participates in passing on the knowledge, or learning down to younger generations in the form of mentoring and teaching.

Looking after younger generations is dear to Kevin’s heart having worked with street children and outback locations in Australia where such help is most needed and in short supply.

Today he divides his time between being with his young family and running the bustling Nelson Bay Chiropractic and Yoga in NSW, Australia with his life partner Maree Frawley, herself, an accomplished yoga master, teacher, author and inspirational coach.

Episode Number Four Of The Voice Detective Show with Salvatore Emanuele Samperi, Tenor and Vincenzo Bellini and Bel Canto Specialist

The thirty-year artistic activity of the tenor Salvatore Emanuele Samperi begins in Catania, his city of birth. He began studying singing with Claudia Parada, then with the teacher Tito Capobianco (Julliard School in New York), Maestro Meinard Kraak, and finally he the refined the art of
“bel canto” with the tenor William Matteuzzi.

He was a finalist in the first ever Giuseppe di Stefano International Competition for Young Opera Singers in Trapani, Sicily. There he was praised by Giuseppe Di Stefano himself, for his vocal beauty and interpretive style.

Salvatore Samperi has performed as a soloist in several operatic productions in Italy and abroad singing alongside internationally renowned artists such as Angela Gheorghiu, and Rolando Panerai.

He has sung for the Toscanini Foundation in Parma, the Galuppi Festival in Venice, the Luglio Trapanese Annual Festival, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Marin County Civic Centre in San Francisco and at the Barry Memorial Hall in Wales.

He has released two CDs for Niccolò Music with unpublished opera pieces by Vincenzo Bellini. His vocal versatility spans from Bellini to Bernstein, where at the Teatro del’Opera Giocosa
he sang many seasons of the role of Tony in Westside Story. Apart from his successful career as an opera singer he took part as a singer-actor in the television drama the Turn of the Century on the Italian Broadcaster RAI.

Salvatore Emanuele Samperi also is a prize winning author in national writing competitions. His most recent publication in January 2022, is a biography, “History of a Catanese: Vincenzo Bellini”. As a leading Bellini scholar he heads the Bellini Cultural Project and is the the Artistic Director of “Bellini for the Young”.

Episode Number Three of The Voice Detective Show with Ken Laing AM Music Manager, Event Producer, Artistic Director and Musical Coordinator

Over his distinguished career, there is virtually no international touring artist whose Australian tour Ken hasn’t organised and coordinated.

Episode Number Two of The Voice Detective Show with Mimmo Matania, Accordionist, Musicologist and Co-Founder of Napulitanata

Mimmo Matania is the co-founder of Napulitanata, a group of musicians dedicated to researching and performing traditional Neapolitan music and songs.

Episode Number One of The Voice Detective Show with Liane Keegan, Dramatic Contralto

Born in Australia, Liane’s voice and aptitude to sing was recognised at an early age receiving scholarships from the Opera Foundation Australia and….