Browsing all posts in April, 2010.
Body, Mind and Soul: A Holistic Approach to Vocal Health
by Anne VanEtten Beautiful singing is born of a carefully balanced coordination of physical, emotional and mental factors. Singers often assume that when the voice is not functioning well, it is due to mechanistic or medical factors. But life circumstances also profoundly impact vocal function, and an emotional crisis can be equally devastating, leading to [...]
Hot, New Maestro makes Bayreuth Debut
Born in Riga, Mr. Andris Nelsons, 31, made his Metropolitan Opera debut last October, and in July will preside over the opening performance of the Bayreuth Festival in his debut there. He was to have made his debut with the Dresden Staatskapelle orchestra on Thursday but had to cancel because he is to replace his teacher [...]
Modern vs. Traditional
by Christie Connolley Have you ever been in a production of Le Nozze di Figaro where the count was a member of the Nazi Party and Susanna was a Jewish peasant? How about a production of Falstaff where phallic symbols were present in every corner? No? Me either, but you may have heard that modern [...]
Musical Term of the Week
by Melissa Wimbish Obey the five food groups, go to the gym, and keep your mind healthy or you might end up hearing this musical term of the week playing well before your time. elegy – An instrumental lament with praise for the dead. Definition provided by ClassicalWorks.com
Audition Listings Update: April 30
by Christie Connolley Are you tired of paying fees to access audition notices? So are we! Every Friday morning, Operagasm presents a fresh update of audition listings. We would be happy to include your audition notice in a full story during the week and/or in the Friday listing, please submit your notice by emailing auditions@operagasm.com. [...]
This Week in History
by Christie Connolley This Week in History Turandot premiered on April 25, 1926 in Milan. In honor of this momentous anniversary, listen to this 1977 recording of Luciano Pavarotti’s first undertaking of the role of Calaf and the aria we would later consider synonymous with Luciano Pavarotti, Nessun Dorma.
Managing Stress With Alexander Technique
by Heidi Brende Leathwood About two weeks ago. I was stressed and busy, and sitting down at a rehearsal for a new piece that I was to premier soon. Suddenly I couldn’t see the music. There were grey splotches and bright flashing lights obscuring my vision. I went to lie down and the condition continued [...]
Word of the Day!
by Erica Papillion-Posey Indeed: adv. or interj. 1. Possibly one of the most convienient words I’ve come across, it kills of un-wanted conversation very effectively without offending someone. 2. Indeed answers any closed question, a sarcastic remark or general remark you really don’t care to comment on. In the case of open questions replying “indeed” [...]
Deborah Voigt as Senta in Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer
On Friday, April 23, Deborah Voigt returned to the stage of New York’s Metropolitan Opera as Senta in Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), the first time she sang this psychologically and vocally intense role at the Met (seven performances through May 14). Senta joins a list of Wagnerian heroines that Voigt has already [...]
Knoxville Opera Company Targets Younger Audiences
by Christie Connolley Knoxville Opera Company is among the growing list of opera companies that realize that not all opera goers are wearing hearing aids and toting oxygen tanks to the theaters. Check out this article by Chris Barrett of the Metropulse which explores the ways the company is appealing to younger audiences.
