a twelve and a half hour drive home while memorizing "Allmächt'ger Vater" from Rienzi and "Come un bel di di maggio" from Andrea Chenier. A lot of words. A LOT.
I am preparing for my lesson on the 6th and, ultimately singing for two agents next month. This also comes into the though of do I just want to give this up and find a job that actually pays me for the work I do? Ah, there's the rub.
The problem for me is that singing and acting are gifts/calling from God to me. I cannot get past that, no matter how hard I try. For Pete's sake, I am fro bloody podunk Alabama. Why am I where I am? I guess I should just be white trash living in a trailer park or some Baptist minister. But no. I was given this charge....
And it means the world to me. I can be myself, learn more about myself, yada yada. It's like God, If I could quit Him, I would. But I just can't.
One review called my tenor "Resplendent." Well, if it is, it's due to Him...
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Walküre #4
You know when you own something. I mean, it's yours and it's at a very high level. That is my Siegmund now.
Hakan Hagegard told me that you will know when a role is yours. He said it usually takes 25 performances, but you will know by it "being there" for you. Very little warm up. He was spot on. That's how Siegmund is to me now. Money.
Who gives a fig what some schmuck critic might say? They not have the balls nor the talent to stand up and do it.
Plus, after twenty years, I know when it's dang good.
Hakan Hagegard told me that you will know when a role is yours. He said it usually takes 25 performances, but you will know by it "being there" for you. Very little warm up. He was spot on. That's how Siegmund is to me now. Money.
Who gives a fig what some schmuck critic might say? They not have the balls nor the talent to stand up and do it.
Plus, after twenty years, I know when it's dang good.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
nice five day break
Needed that more than I thought.
I really wasn't in a good place on Saturday night. Got into street clothes right after bows, headed to Cicero' s, had some Italian and two Woodchuck Granny Smith's.
One thing I have learned of American audiences: they are dumber than cow dung. If it doesn't sound like something off a CD, they don't know what to do. And if the acting isn't Disney-esque, its' too far above them. If an artist actually performs the role the way it's meant, and doesn't sound manufactured or "like a tenor", they are at a loss. They have no clue, and don't know what to do.
Heaven forbid that the tenor sing a difficult HELDEN role easily and musically, look good and move well, and use the language very well. Heaven forbid that you be convincing and moving. 99% of Americans have zip of a clue.
Makes me thankful for the fella that wished I were singing for a German audience because "They would truly appreciate just what you have accomplished tonight."
My confidence is back, and I will sing and perform this character really well again tomorrow night and Saturday.
A lion doesn't lose sleep over the opinion of sheep
I really wasn't in a good place on Saturday night. Got into street clothes right after bows, headed to Cicero' s, had some Italian and two Woodchuck Granny Smith's.
One thing I have learned of American audiences: they are dumber than cow dung. If it doesn't sound like something off a CD, they don't know what to do. And if the acting isn't Disney-esque, its' too far above them. If an artist actually performs the role the way it's meant, and doesn't sound manufactured or "like a tenor", they are at a loss. They have no clue, and don't know what to do.
Heaven forbid that the tenor sing a difficult HELDEN role easily and musically, look good and move well, and use the language very well. Heaven forbid that you be convincing and moving. 99% of Americans have zip of a clue.
Makes me thankful for the fella that wished I were singing for a German audience because "They would truly appreciate just what you have accomplished tonight."
My confidence is back, and I will sing and perform this character really well again tomorrow night and Saturday.
A lion doesn't lose sleep over the opinion of sheep
Saturday, August 17, 2013
opening night
I have been pretty nervous about opening night for a week and a half. Never before have I had problems with G Nat, but it has been bothersome since I git here. Could sing it until I got to the theatre. Weird. The A Nat has not been a problem at all. AT ALL. Maybe it's due to singing the role ten days in a row, then compounding it by singing it thru twice a day before each run...
But last night, I nailed it!! Prayer works. I was calm, and just happy to be there, and I had fun! I am finally willing to trust and even make an ugly sound. Pretty dang freeing.
Siegmund is an incredibly, deceptively hard role to sing. Yes, it's the lowest of Wagner's Helden roles, but that's what makes it so difficult. When the role moves from lyric to dramatic in the "Siegmund heiss ich", , it pounds at the E Nat thru F# corridor. Pavarotti was correct that the chords must stay fresh in this area, but he never sang this rep. The intensity makes you work overtime to stay calm and and lyric through the passaggio. If you don't, you are incredibly screwed.
Don't think because this role is low that it's easy...that will show what an uninformed, uneducated idiot you really are.
But last night, I nailed it!! Prayer works. I was calm, and just happy to be there, and I had fun! I am finally willing to trust and even make an ugly sound. Pretty dang freeing.
Siegmund is an incredibly, deceptively hard role to sing. Yes, it's the lowest of Wagner's Helden roles, but that's what makes it so difficult. When the role moves from lyric to dramatic in the "Siegmund heiss ich", , it pounds at the E Nat thru F# corridor. Pavarotti was correct that the chords must stay fresh in this area, but he never sang this rep. The intensity makes you work overtime to stay calm and and lyric through the passaggio. If you don't, you are incredibly screwed.
Don't think because this role is low that it's easy...that will show what an uninformed, uneducated idiot you really are.
Monday, August 12, 2013
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
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!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
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.
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.
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