December 2009 – All Articles

When things go smoothly and all works as planned, live theater can create magic. But what about when things don’t go as planned? Find out how you can make the most of these moments by improving on improvisation.

We compare these two competing digital recorders to see how they measure up.

Deciding when to “retire” from the stage and what to do post singing career are perhaps the greatest challenges singers face. Three singers who enjoyed major careers share how they made the difficult decision to stop singing full time and how they are finding fulfillment in their “afterlife.”

Warm, dark, bright, silvery, rich, buttery—what do these terms mean, vocally speaking? Learn more about the ever-subjective topic of vocal color, including its natural occurrence and the consequences of trying to unnaturally “make” or “create” it.

With the coming of the holiday season and the end of one year and the beginning of another, find inspiration through three operatic moments to leave the past behind and embrace the future.

Read up on two terrific reference books that will make great additions to your vocal library.

Whether for lack of insurance or dislike of the doctor’s office, many drag their feet before seeing a doctor, while others—often for psychological reasons—see a doctor at the slightest tickle in their throat. Dr. Jahn shares his tips for knowing when you really should see a doctor and when it’s OK to simply rest up at home.

Don’t let the spirit of giving get quashed by the fear of its effect on your wallet. With a little creativity, you can show those in your life how much you care while staying in the black.

One of the reasons I love to run is that it provides great thinking time. It is one of those rare moments when I do not have to multitask, my

Tenor Charles Workman, after launching a career in the U.S. and Canada, has established himself in Europe as a leading interpreter of Mozart, Rossini, and French opera. CS first interviewed Workman for this article while he was in Madrid to sing in a production of Janáček’s The Makropulos Case, and he shared an exciting new development in his singing that has enabled him to transcend from a technically brilliant to a brilliantly beautiful sound. Then, to trace the progress of this development, CS traveled to Barcelona more than a year later for a second interview while the tenor was performing at the Liceu Opera House. Workman has continued to deepen the appreciation of his voice’s possibilities thanks to the insightful input of a new friend who has also become his teacher. And, employing the latest technology, he can even sing for her over Skype.

Sting Makes DVD for Opera Education BBC News reports that pop singer Sting and his wife Trudie Styler have made a disc which will be sold for the benefit of

Not only did soprano Kristin Jensen decide to self-produce her own professional-quality CD, she also decided to raise all of the funds upfront. Find out how she did it and get inspired to do your own.