2010 – Page 4 – All Articles

Is the pun of this title lost on you? Are you wondering just what is continuo and why should it be important to you? Then it’s high time to continuo your education. Read about the musical evolution of continuo and how learning this skill can help free you as a musician, tap into your creativity, and improve your collaborative skills.

The Baroque era gave birth to opera—maybe not quite as we know it today, but the art form nonetheless. So what happens when modern-day opera companies mount early opera? What approach do modern directors take and what do they look for in singers?

Boston has long been seen as the early music center of North America. Whether traveling to Beantown as singer or tourist, get great tips on how to save a dime on everything from food to hotels to musical performances, many featuring early music tunes.

While an undergrad my theory teacher told our class about a revolutionary new choral and orchestral composition he had heard that had, in his words, changed his life. This piece

Composer vocalist M Ryan Taylor asks early music specialists, “With so much repeated text in Baroque and early music arias, how do you keep your characterization fresh?”

A countertenor who is quickly rising to the top discusses if indeed this voice type is strictly limited to the Baroque repertoire, how he discovered the never-before-heard repertoire on his new CD, and why he thinks early music is becoming a staple at many modern opera houses.

With so many early music festivals dotting the land, how can you begin to know which one is right for you? As always, research, research, research. And this sampling of several first-rate festivals is the perfect jumping-off point to begin your search.

Read up about a recent book on vocal technique that includes more than just a philosophical discussion of singing principles. With a myriad of vocalises and group exercises that correspond to each concept, this book becomes a practical tool for the private studio and classroom alike.

Read about an emerging new genre within early music and discover resources that can help you access, study, perform, and record this exciting new repertoire.

Baroque opera expert Nicholas McGegan shares what he looks for in singers he hires, how he approaches writing cadenzas, and what type of voice he wants for both Handel and Mozart operas.

To share your comments about CS or your story of why you sing e-mail editorial@classicalsinger.com.

Teacher Brad Jenks opines on the dangers of kneeling before the altar of technique and how teachers can best nurture their students in and out of the studio by keeping it simple.