On the Road with Joanne Robinson: Show #242 Santa Fe

Lensic Performing Arts Center

Greetings from high in the sky somewhere over the U.S. I’m flying back right now from beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, where we taped a show at the Lensic Performing Arts Center – and what a show it was! It was one the liveliest tapings I can recall.

Kicking it off was 16-year-old pianist Hugo Kitano who performed the finale from Chopin’s Sonata No. 3 and then further wowed the crowed by demonstrating his amazing parkour skills. He ran down the aisles of the theater, jumped onto the stage and then over an obstacle course of piano benches and up a set of stairs!

Next up was a local classical guitarist, 14-year-old Audra Vigil, who played a gorgeous piece called “Saudade No. 3” by Roland Dyens.

Following her wonderful performance was 17-year-old mezzo-soprano Micäela Aldridge who sang from Handel’s Giulio Cesare as well as part of an aria from Elmer Gantry, an opera that was written by her father, Robert Aldridge. One of the show’s most touching moments was when Christopher O’Riley asked Micäela’s dad what it was like to hear his daughter sing his piece, and her dad was so overwhelmed with pride he was in tears.

Next up was cellist Russell Houston, 17, who played the flirtatious Requiebros by Gaspar Cassadó and provided some of the show’s most comical moments by participating in a quiz about his self-described lack of common sense.

The show ended on a gorgeous note when violinist Amelia Sie, 15, took to the stage to play a dreamy piece called “Lotus Land” by Cyril Scott.

Enjoy this flipcam montage from our dress rehearsal. And as a special treat, I also caught Hugo doing his parkour demonstration during the show! Don’t forget to tune in when this show airs the week of December 26, 2011.