October 2006

Singers are unique in the music world in that our own bodies are our instruments. Whatever affects our physical, mental, or emotional states can affect our instruments—and some of the most profound and insidious effects can take hold with the things we put into our bodies, especially alcohol, cigarette smoke, and recreational drugs. When does the use of these substances become abuse? How does substance abuse really affect our instruments, our bodies, and our lives? CS readers weigh in.

With sensational singing and great successes behind her and nothing but opportunity on the horizon, Andrea Gruber seems to have it made. Unbeknownst to many, however, her struggle with addiction almost ruined her career. Now, with ten years of sobriety under her belt, Ms. Gruber speaks candidly about throwing off the chains of addiction and saving her voice.

Hailed for his booming baritone voice, strong stage presence, and all-around charisma, Charles Taylor has appeared on stage at the Metropolitan Opera, Portland Opera, and Pacific Opera, to name just a few. Taylor’s road to fame, however, has been anything but typical. After years of substance abuse, Taylor resolved to sober up and start again. He has applied that same determination to his singing career and is now reaping the rewards.

Exactly what are those two nubs on either side of your palate? Do you need them, should you ignore them, or have them taken out? CS’ resident physician shares the answers.

Jennifer Porto traveled to Germany to study German art song and learn the language, but along the way she has gained additional valuable insights. One of those moments came when she auditioned for the Hochschule’s production of Handel’s Alcina. It brought into focus the knowledge that she had truly ended a great love affair—an affair with the wrong music.

Upon his recent retirement, Joseph Volpe handed the reigns to Peter Gelb, making him the new general director of the Met, America’s premier opera house. With big shoes to fill, Gelb’s vast experience in production has prepared him well—and he has big ideas for change and improvement at the Met. In this Classical Singer exclusive, Gelb shares how his parents helped shape his cultural interests, how his early years as an usher at the Met have influenced his ideas for generating excitement within those walls again, and why he advises singers to think of opera in terms of “musical theater.”

I had occasion recently to pick up a trade magazine for lawyers. I’m always intrigued to see another magazine, so I opened the issue with interest. As I glanced through

After three intense rounds of competition among more than 200 applicants, the judges of the AudComps 2006 named 13 singers Certified Classical Singers for 2006-2007.This month, read about sopranos Eun-Hee Kim, from the Professional Division, and Maija Lisa Currie, from the Emerging Professional Division.

Gambling Addict May Have Tried to Pay Off Debts the Wrong Way Until recently, Greg Hogan was a cello student at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Now he is a bank

Hailed for her flawless singing and physical beauty, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf recently passed on at the age of 90. Her long life was not without controversy—she was also known for her affiliation with the Nazi Party prior to World War II, as well as her sometimes caustic remarks. Controversy aside, she will long be remembered for her unforgettable operatic role portrayals and work with German Lieder.

Dear Editor: I have just finished reading “From Cancer to Carnegie Hall,” [August 2006] and loved what Ms. Hart had to say about vocal function and the building and rebuilding

Feeling frustrated with your 9-to-5 day job that has nothing to do with music? One CS reader found himself in those very shoes, but then discovered that he had more job options than he once thought. Read how keeping an open mind helped him find employment that used his musical skills and prepared him for other career opportunities down the road.