Following a six-year stint in Fest contracts with three different European opera houses, German soprano Diana Damrau is quickly making a name for herself on U.S. operatic stages, especially as a master interpreter of the Strauss and Mozart repertoire. Classical Singer caught up with her last spring while Damrau was in New York for the Met’s March 2007 production of Strauss’s Die Äegyptische Helena. Damrau shares some tips for learning difficult Straussian lines. She also discusses how working in a small German house prepared her for a major career—and how she managed to make a spectacular Weill Recital debut while fighting a cold.
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Martha Bartz Mezzo-soprano Charlotte, N.C. Please tell our readers about your career highlights so far. After a successful 24-year career in international transportation sales and marketing and software development, while
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The ins and outs of being a classical singer can be overwhelming. It is easy to get lost in worrying about technique, business woes, audition nerves, or performance stress. With graduation season in full bloom, many singers are stepping out into the world to try to realize the dream of becoming a professional singer. Whether you are just starting out or you’re a seasoned professional, before you sing another note or send out another résumé, take a few minutes to remember how you got into this mess. Try to remember the moment you knew you were a singer.
In previous articles we’ve taken you through blogs and MySpace. This month Classical Singer’s one-woman “geek squad” introduces you to the podcast.
In this difficult profession, sometimes we need help with a little perspective to remember why we sing. Here a singer and coach shares her reasons for singing, including how the joys and frustrations have caused her to find deeper, more fulfilling reasons for continuing a life of song.
Often it can seem that you just don’t have enough time to accomplish everything on your plate. Whether you’re a student, an established professional, or anywhere in between, time management is always a challenge. Coach Carol Anderson shares her ideas on planning ahead, setting firm deadlines, making time for practice, and practicing effectively.
Continuing our annual tradition of honoring an outstanding coach, CS is thrilled to introduce readers to Connecticut and Canada’s own Eric Trudel. A remarkable pianist with impeccable skill at language and style, Trudel is also very compassionate towards singers. That amazing combination of skill and humanity has made Trudel the CS 2008 Coach of the Year and a true favorite among singers.
In the May issue you read about Cindy’s Do-It-Yourself Summer Program Intensive. Here’s Part 2 of the Intensive, sure to get you on your way to an amazing fall audition season, with everything from fund raising to polishing your “Top Ten” (yes, you read that right, 10 arias, not just five—read on for details), to writing a terrific bio and refining your résumé. If you missed last month’s installment, don’t worry! The program begins June 1, and you can read all about it in our archives at www.classicalsinger.com.
I have long had an intense fear of flying—so much so that for years I simply didn’t do it. After overcoming my fear enough to actually fly, flights have always
