Dress 1

I sang thru the role three times today. One just happened to be the dress rehearsal, even after I said I would mark....go figure.

I have come to love this role for many reasons, but foremost it allows me to be just who I am as an artist. I look the role, I sound the role, I have no problem cutting/carrying, but now I have gotten to the point that I am not afraid to make an ugly sound and I act the scrap out of the text and character.

If I never perform this role again, at least I will have the above

first dress tonight!

Don't really know just how much I will sing, but the Winterstürme and the Siegmund heiss ich will be done.  Voice feels good. Can't wait!

tech take 2

We teched Ackt II,was pretty solid except for one brainfart. Just one of those moments where I totally forgot where we were.  I got back on track quickly.

The space available on the sides is a  Lot more compact than that of the rehearsal room, so that made for an evening of thinking rather than doing.  Glad I got that out of the way.

The set looks like something you would see in a German theatre, but the projections really put it on a different level.  We are then allowed to tell the story, not some "conzept" going on.  Just acting and really expressing the text. No room for American made Italian opera here.

Finally seem to have gotten over the reflux.  I just have to remember that the g nats have to be so bright, and sound so spread to my ear that it makes me want to vomit.  The danger of this role, vocally, is its tessitura.  The tendency for me is to revert to baritone. Can't do it. It will rip you a new one and make you like it.  Makes you sound weak to yourself, but it's easy, and I really ring and thrust into the house.  Plus, the Helden sound is there. I don't need to press that. Just relax and do what I do.  Del Monaco is a great teacher...

This is a first rate cast, and is an authentic WAGNERIAN cast. Everyone is spot on for their role. SPOT ON. You won't hear it like this, even in Seattle. And definitely not at the MET.

tech rehearsal 1

Pretty solid night tonight. We ran Act 1, which my portion is about 42 minutes (uncut is an hour fifteen).only had stops in my last aria/monologue "Siegmund gross rich" due to lighting cues and my placement. The problem is I am running up and down a sixteen foot, narrow stairway.  Other problem is that the lower stairs are on rollers and they do move.

Started very well tonight vocally.  I thrust out into the hall really well.  Only problem is this cursed reflux that I cannot seem to shake, no matter what I try.  No matter the work I did before coming here, everything has totally changed, and I can really feel the mucous when I get to f#. I literally fight to find my tessitura and voice every day. It just feels so hard.

Still, I had to sing the highest portion of the role, "So blühenden, Wälsungen blut" six times. It is the only A thatthat Siegmund sings. First time massive phlegm, afterwards, money.  It is so bad I get depressed about singing a role I was singing th poo out of before I got here.  And nothing I do helps it get better.

Oh well, it will be what it will be, and I perform the pee out of this role. Just have fun, give it to God, and perform.

Die Walkure day 8

Been here a week and I have to say that this is the most physical role I have ever done. Bar none. I  carry around a pretty heavy broadsword while singing dramatic music that sits in my passaggio, rolling around on the floor with Sieglinde, then a screamfest with Brunnhilde,  then a big fight with Binding, then a pretty emotional death. This also includes a pretty intense love thingy with Sieglinde that has to read past the orchestra.

I get a rest day to get my strength back.  Those that have worked with me in the past will understand my energy/intensity level. But it also means I have to work triple hard to not get tight in my neck and push the voice.

One really has to understand that you sing Wagner like it's Schubert, or Mozart...but on steroids.  You sing it lyrically and the rest will take care of itsself

Die Walkure day 2

Spent my day staging Act 1 of Walkure.  Really didn't move around that much, but the intensity level is sky high.  Those that know me know that I am a very intense actor, but geese, this at another level.  Verdi and Puccini Don't even come into the same galaxy.

This is looking to be the best thing I have ever done, and that is saying something.  And it's the best cast, all around I have ever worked with.  Again, that speaks volumes. Some amazing singing going on.

Never have I felt this good or this right about a role. Glad I found it!

Walkure Day 1

Today I sang Siegmund all the way the way thru (with the cuts) with other singers.....God it was fantastic!!

The cast is very fine.  And the voices are right!  Absolutely RIGHT.  my head was ringing like mad when we finished.

Amber Smoke, my Sieglinde, is going thru the same type of Fach switch I am.  But she sounds beautiful.  Truly a smoky, rich color and very vibrant.  Just like Alexandra Lopiccolo' s, our Brunnhilde.  A real pack of dynamite.

Our Hagen, Nathan Whitson from Kansas City is an imposing bass with a beautiful top. Reminds me of Kevin Bell.  The last scene, our fight, is pretty exciting.

Tim Bruno is our Wotan, and I love hearing him. There is a great color and snarl that truly works for Wotan.

Gonna be a great run!!