Discoveries, every day

I am really terrible at this blog thing, so I apologize. When I get busy, certain activities such as this tend to lay waste by the wayside. Ah, such is life! I've been doing a lot of singing lately (mostly professional choral gigs) and this usually leads to a great deal of pondering.
Some recent vocal trouble prompted me to look into the past and try to figure out what has worked and why (and when). As a result, I have gone back to being a regular yoga fanatic, as well as general exercise fanatic. And when I say fanatic, for me, that means only 3-4 times a week. (I'm still trying to work up to 4-5 times a week). I have to say, yoga in general does wonders for a singers constitution. It opens up my nasal passages (along with my cherished neti pot) and opens up my hook-up to breathing. It is amazing how much stronger my voice feels when my body itself feels stronger. Now, I'm sure this is no revelation. For me, it has been a constant struggle most of my life. I don't particularly like exercise and I've always been naturally slim, so it's always been hard for me to motivate with exercise. I really find a peace with yoga, though. And because I tend to get bored easily, it means I really need to have check-ins with myself to make sure I'm sticking to the original plan. This time, I think I may have broken the mold. Something has changed in my determination, my self awareness, and my general well-being to make me realize that it's time for regular exercise or no dice with the singing. What a concept!

Una furtiva Lagrima - Pavarotti

May we dare to learn something from this beautiful voice...

For the love of Benjamin Britten

So I really shouldn't go this long without posting, particularly when I'm trying to be good about this new venture. Oh well...
I'd like to start off by remembering Luciano Pavarotti. I was never a huge fan of his (because of the acting), but MAN, did he have a voice!! Beautiful and substantial with Italian diction you could take dictation to. I just listened to a Nessun Dorma recording and remembered how great his voice really was. We've lost a lot of greats this year and it begs the question: will we have another great generation of singers? Is this it? I mean, Renee Fleming works, Thomas Hampson sort of works, but Anna Netrebko, Angela Gheorghiu? Don't get me wrong, they have their appeal, but a Regine Crespin, Beverly Sills, Luciano Pavarotti, Jerry Hadley they are not. Sad, but true. Ahhh, bel canto!

Before I depress myself too much, I must report that I am busier than ever this fall (and spring). Things are starting to look up and not just in the choral work department. I have solo work: not much, but enough to keep me hungry and pushing for more work. I will be singing a solo recital on January 8 at St Barts and sharing the stage with my pal Vince Peterson. He will be debuting his new choral group and we will be doing all living composers music, including Vince's! After that, I will dive headlong into rehearsals for PETER GRIMES!!! Yes, I'm singing Ellen Orford with One World Symphony here in NYC. It will definitely be a good challenge for me and one that I am absolutely up for. Those performances will be January 25 and 27 (I will only sing one of them since we are double cast - stay tuned for the exact date I will be singing).
I also have many auditions and many choral contracts, so I am going to have to keep a close watch on my vocal and bodily health. Not a lot of partying for me, nor any loud bars & restaurants. I'm going to have to be good, which is difficult at times. I like to be social and my teacher rides me about it all the time. But for good reason. I have learned over the years that my voice is particularly fragile and I cannot afford to push it the way I sometimes do. So, no partying for moi. La voce, la voce!