13 hours Ago By EMMA LAWSON [email protected]
Michael Feinstein recalls a time when the late Tony Bennett gifted him a pack of throat lozenges, ones you could only buy in England, and a dedicated note. It was a gesture that was incredibly kind for someone still trying to make it big in show business, Feinstein said. Those demonstrations of hospitality and warmth stuck with Feinstein, and after Bennett died on July 21, 2023, at age 96, Feinstein knew he wanted to do something to show his appreciation for the late crooner and friend.
“When I learned of Tony’s passing, it was poignant, because he had struggles for a long time,” told The Eagle. “In the last several years, there was always that feeling of him hopefully being at peace once he left his physical body, but it certainly was the feeling of the passing of an important era.” Feinstein will perform the opening show for OPAS’ 52nd season, “Legends & Icons,” with shows centered around legendary stories and iconic figures.
Previously, Bennett performed a 2016 concert at OPAS, which is still one of the most talked about programs in its history, OPAS executive director Anne Black said. With the help of the Carnegie Hall Ensemble, the concert will feature beloved Bennett hits, such as “Because of You,” “Rags to Riches,” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “The Best is Yet To Come” and more. Performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.
m. Tuesday and Wednesday in Rudder Auditorium at 401 Joe Routt Blvd. on the Texas A&M University campus.
Being booked as the opening OPAS show is incredibly humbling, Feinstein said, and he is grateful for the opportunity. “It’s a very nice thing to be the beginning of the season, especially something that has gone on for as long as this. There’s always a certain kind of excitement and magic that happens with the beginning of a series,” he said.
“I’m glad to be there.” Music has always been in Feinstein’s family. Growing up, Feinstein said many of his family members sang around the house or made music, something he always wanted to join.
“I started singing when I was very young and I started playing the piano as well at the age of 5. I didn’t combine the two until later,” he said. “My greatest inspirations growing up, as far as music is concerned, was my father, my uncles and my relatives.
I also listened to Bing Crosby, I discovered Rosemary Clooney and I listened to all kinds of pianists.” Michael Feinstein Tribute to Tony Bennett // via McAninchArtsCenter on YouTube While first starting out as a musician, Feinstein eventually met Bennett, whom he connected with to talk about repertoire and music. “I first met Tony Bennett through Rosemary Clooney," he recalled.
"It was for a benefit for an organization that Rosemary started called the Betty Clooney Foundation for the brain injured. Rosemary Clooney’s sister, Betty, died of a brain aneurysm and Tony generously agreed to be a part of the performance. He was very nice and invited me to look him up whenever I came to New York.
” The next year, Feinstein went to New York and did exactly as Bennett suggested. “He went out of his way to take me to different places, to restaurants and clubs, to introduce me to different performers and hear different kinds of music,” he said. “He was incredibly generous to somebody who had very little success in show business at that point.
” Since then, Feinstein performed in a variety of places with some highlights being Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the White House, Kennedy Center and Buckingham Palace. “I’ve done tributes to Judy Garland and I’ve done individual concerts celebrating Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra,” he said. “Preparing for any kind of show like this is really a winnowing process of figuring out what to leave out and [for this concert] especially with the enormity of Tony.
” Feinstein said an important aspect of creating each show is ensuring that each song chosen is one he is comfortable performing and one where he can add his own spin. “They won’t sound exactly the way Tony sang them because nobody wants an imitator,” he said. “After I have the list of songs together, I start thinking about dialogue and then working on arrangements.
Rehearsals were relatively easy because if one has an idea of what the show is to be about and you have a vision, it makes it much easier.” Alongside the musical performances, Feinstein said he wants to include stories about Bennett’s life, including his time in the Army near the end of World War II where he liberated a concentration camp. “It’s stories like that and information like that that helped to give a broader sense of who he was and why he did what he did,” Feinstein said.
“I hope that people will come away from the performance knowing a little bit more about Tony and having a deeper sense of who he was musically. Also, I just hope that people have a great time and just have joy from the performance of this great music. I’m very grateful to be able to share it.
” Contact the MSC Box Office for ticket information at 979-845-1234 or online at OPAStickets.org . Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! News reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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