While attending several First Round Regionals of Classical Singer’s High School Competition this past spring, I heard some fine singing from well-prepared students singing age-appropriate repertoire—with a few exceptions. One
Great singers are globetrotters— it isn’t easy to pin them down, but Gil Carbajal managed to sit down with Eric Halfvarson while the bass was in Madrid to perform Hagen in Wagner’s Götterdämmerung at the Teatro Real opera house. Halfvarson discusses everything from the need to learn patience as a bass, the challenges of singing the “big voice” repertoire, and lessons he’s learned for tackling new roles.
Last year saw the passing of an icon in the classical singing world: Anna Russell. Most singers are memorialized for their beautiful voices—Anna Russell is remembered for precisely the opposite.
It’s the size of a laptop. You can take it out of the box, plug it in, press the record button, and voilà, you’ve got a CD. Can it really be that easy? Lisa Houston is your gear guinea pig for Superscope’s latest CD recorder.
A singer’s schedule can often wreak havoc on a regular sleeping routine. Late-night rehearsals and performances, long hours of travel, and weeks at a time in hotel beds can make it difficult to feel fully rested. Here’s a yoga technique that will help you get the rest you need. Join Suzanne Jackson on May 23 in San Francisco for a special, pre-convention, two-hour Yoga Nidra class. Learn more at www.classicalsinger.com/convention/yoganidra.php.
From cysts on the vocal cords, to managing severe allergies, CS’ resident physician has all the answers. If you have a question for Dr. Jahn, e-mail him at jahn@classicalsinger.com.
This month’s interview focuses on the challenges of living in the shadow of a singing parent, and on how parental expectations for a child can have long-lasting implications. It also explores chronic health problems and one singer’s resolve not to let anything hold her back from achieving her full singer identity.
Pursuing a singing career comes with a lot of expenses: voice lessons, coachings, accompanist fees, tuition for summer programs, and more. Learning to fundraise is critical. In a response to a singer’s recent inquiry on the topic, Erda offers great tips for fundraising, earning, and saving money. If you have a question for Erda, e-mail her at erda@classicalsinger.com.
Every year, opera workshop directors take on the task of choosing repertoire appropriate for a class of students with a wide range of abilities and levels of training. In my
The final volume in the Canciones de España—Songs of Nineteenth-Century Spain anthology series was released in February 2007 (Scarecrow Press). The three volumes, published in high and low keys, make
During the last century many composers of vocal art-music tended to use the voice merely as another instrument, often stripping away some of the most wonderful qualities inherent in the
Musical theatre requires a combination of talents—singing, dancing, and acting. Director John Doyle has added one more requirement to the list—playing in the onstage orchestra—in several recent Broadway revivals. Janette Goleme sat down with five of the classically trained singers from his latest creation, Stephen Sondheim’s Company.
