New 2nd horn at the Met
OrchestrasAfter a final shootout audition with one other contender, Roy Femenella was chose as the new 2nd horn in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Roy, from Boston, currently holds the Principal Horn position for the summer seasons of the Orquestra Sinfónica de Minería in Mexico City.
He was previously in the New World Symphony Orchestra.
Congrats to him! That was retired E. Scott Brubaker’s seat where Anne Scharer (4th/low horn) has been acting second horn past few years. Now they have only to find new 3rd/high horn (successor for promoted Brad Gemeinhardt) and then the 9 member horn gang is complete again.
Congratulations to Mr. Femenella on his wonderful achievement! Just a small point of clarification. The regular principal of the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria is the terrific Gerardo Diaz (my former student!) The Mineria is required to to bring in a certain number of foreigners every summer. I understand that Mr. Femenella performed this role last summer.
Congratulations on a big job! So many operas have great horn parts. Out of curiosity: what make of horn is it that you’re holding? Conn?
It’s a Berg by Kieth Berg of Canada. He’s one of the elite custom horn makers in the world and has a multi-year waiting list which I understand is closed as he is finishing it out to retire.
Very few players in this tier use mass produced horns like Conns with the exception of some of the old Elkhart Conns in selected symphonies.
Thank you for the information. In Europe, Alexandre rules the roost.
He played very well the day before, at the St. Louis Symphony 2nd horn audition, which ultimately went to Blaine Dodson from Baton Rouge, LA. Always room at the top!