Imagination

I wonder where it has gone. It isn't showing it's pretty little head much these days.

One of my former students, Taylor Bridges, has a beautiful, smart, and quick witted girlfriend. But when I was last there (in NYC), she commented how she hated that the leads in the operatic version of Romeo et Juliette is too often played by older singers. She couldn't stand the idea of something that did not "look" realistic. Kinda knocked me aback.

First, the role of Juliette is much heavier than the first act aria suggests. When she is presented with the sleeping potion, she has to sing a pretty dramatic scene. A soubrette, or lyric coloratura ain't going to have an easy time of it with that big orchestra. No matter how hot she looks.

But hey, let's not worry about that. We need our Hollywood fix. We need to make sure that Clare Danes is Juliette and Leonardo di Caprio is Romeo. It has gotta LOOK right. That is all that matters.

Keep giving us garbage. You know, Emmy Rossum as Christine, Andrew Lloyd Webber as a composer. We have become so lazy minded that we do not want to be confronted by the incredible emotions that opera makes us stare down. We just want Moulin Rouge. Just entertain us. Do not make us look into ourselves. Do not make us think. Just give us pecs, boobs, and pretty faces.

We don't have time for anything else.

First Blog-ging

Just a place for me to put down thoughts on singing as I make my transition from baritone to tenor, and regarding my teaching.

January 29

Great day of teaching. I am always astounded by my students at UVA. There is better talent there than at most conservatories in this state. It is raw, like I was at that age, but it is good. The same is true for VCU, but they recruit to that aim, unlike UVA

I have so many talented young men at both UVA and VCU. I was never able to recruit this kind of male singer, in bulk, at uat like I find here. I have two very good tenors at VCU, one fine one at UVA, and several good baritones at both schools.

I am most pleased with my young ladies at both schools. They continue to grow and do the things I ask. Honestly, I have an embarressment of riches...

Well, what I am most pleased with is that they are getting to the point where they can really make music with the instruments that God gave to them. That is SUCCESS.