Program Notes
Before he was "Professor Burke"
Ira Siff grew up on the standing room line at the old Met worshipping the great singers of the time. Making his debut as a tenor in 1970, Ira performed in many new operas and shows and in various cabarets where he did a one-man show featuring spoofs of opera, co-starring pianist/composer/lyricist Richard Burke. In 1981 he founded La Gran Scena Opera Co. (with Richard as Music Director), and the travesti troupe won great acclaim from the press, public and music world. Gran Scena performed in major New York venues and toured internationally through 2002 to many of the world’s great opera houses and festivals. Ira continued to perform as Gran Scena’s prima “donna”, Madame Vera, singing soprano in a critically acclaimed solo spin-off, entitled The Annual Farewell Recital through 2009, for which Richard wrote brilliant special material. Ira teaches and coaches singers in New York, as well as giving Master Classes internationally. He is Guest Teacher at the Conservatory, and the Opera Academy, in Amsterdam. Ira began staging opera in 2000, collaborating with such conductors as James Levine and Richard Bonynge. 2014-15 marks his eighth season as Commentator on the Saturday Afternoon International Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts.
Dewey Moss is a Telly Award-winning director, writer, and actor whose career has spanned Broadway shows, concert appearances, film/TV work, and opera. His debut feature film A Normal Life won critical acclaim in film festivals worldwide and is currently in distribution. In addition, he recently made his Carnegie Hall debut as both singer and director when he performed the opera Puppet by Christian McLeer (a solo piece written specifically for Dewey), and directed the premiere of William Bolcom’s Barnyard Boogaloo. His new play The Crusade of Connor Stephens recently received a successful premiere reading in NYC, and is currently in pre-production for an Off-Broadway run. Dewey holds a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Hunter College-City University of New York. In addition to performing and directing, he also teaches acting and voice through his private New York City studio, DMoss Studios, with an emphasis on acting for the singer. “Returning to college after having had a successful professional career was a huge adjustment, but because Richard had successfully navigated both types of careers, he understood my journey in ways others couldn’t; he became an inspiration, a mentor, and friend, opening my mind to a deeper love for music.”