With all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, finding the peace and joy we hear about in sermon and song can be difficult or nigh unto impossible. Examining the calming influence of music in these three examples, however, will set you on your way to finding more peace this season, with yourself and with others.
Just in time for the holidays, we wrap up our series on historical recordings with recommendations for starting your own library. A singer, coach, and conductor make their lists of not-to-be-missed singers of the past. Also, find several must-have books, as well as recommended record labels for finding the best recordings at the best prices.
This month, Classical Singer reviews an exciting new gadget, amazon.com’s Kindle—a device for reading books on the go. Find out what this paperback-sized device can do for classical singers.
Jake Heggie’s new opera, Three Decembers, appears this month in Berkeley with San Francisco Opera, starring mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. Heggie and von Stade collaborated on the project from the beginning and for the world premiere of the opera in Houston last March, under the title Last Acts. Read about the collaborative process, how the work evolved, and how these two artists gained insight and inspiration in tandem.
Looking for the perfect gift for your singer friend, teacher, or significant other? Or perhaps want to drop some hints about something you might like to find in your stocking? Classical Singer has some suggestions for the ideal gifts for you and your colleagues.
The artistic director of the relatively small San Francisco Lyric Opera company never lets its size hold him back. Armed with creativity, he finds ways to make big operas— and big ideas—work.
What do you do when the demands of your job conflict with your deeply held values? Cindy Sadler addresses this difficult dilemma.
Last month Jill Anna Ponasik shared the experience of her first lesson with Feldenkrais teacher Maxine Davis. Ponasik left having discovered new-found feelings of freedom in her singing, and wondering if she could make them last. This month, find out how she’s doing as the Feldenkrais method continues to inform her singing.
When stress or illness cause vocal problems, singers often look for a quick fix, such as a cortisone or homeopathic shot. But is this always a good idea? And what do you, as your own primary healthcare expert, need to know about the shots you get? Here’s our resident medical expert with everything you need to know on the topic.
CS remembers the life of performance coach and stage director Janet Bookspan, who passed away in September.
In the first three articles of this series, Adria Firestone took us through deciding when to retire, fully grieving for your loss, and discovering your passions. This month she shares how to evaluate your own skill set and find meaningful and fulfilling ways to create away from the stage.
Eric Owens started out playing oboe and was playing professionally by the age of 15. Soon his love for opera changed his long-term ambitions. Find out how he arrived at an international career, what advice he has for up-and-coming singers, and why this singer has lots of gratitude and no regrets.
