Often it’s through small and simple things that truly great things come about. Therefore, the constant pursuit of great performances and musical excellence often requires going back to the drawing board for a reevaluation of the basics. Here are some great tips to help you perfect the minute details of your repertoire and move ever closer to musical greatness.
Sarah Caldwell Dead at 82 On March 31, Sarah Caldwell, founder of the Opera Company of Boston, died of heart failure at the age of 82. As Boston’s director for
Dear Editor: I was gifted $20,000 to make a classical dramatic soprano arias CD with the Prague Radio Orchestra. [Joanne Corbett-]Barnes stated she had started negotiations with the orchestra and
“Music is the invisible art, the only art that you can’t actually see. It’s all vibration. You have to remember that you’re putting a vibration into the world.” When Steven
Classical Singer recently received a number of letters regarding the Southeast Auditions sponsored by Joanne Corbett-Barnes of Arts Management Services. The auditions were scheduled for Atlanta this past November, postponed to December, and ultimately cancelled, just two days before the rescheduled auditions. Joanne Corbett-Barnes told singers she was forced to cancel the event because she was unable to find a suitable accompanist for the auditions. A similar scenario occurred earlier in 2005 for her Southwest Auditions in Texas. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the letter writers. CS contacted Joanne Corbett-Barnes for her side of the story; she responded with a memo, posted on her website, explaining the cancellation, also printed below with her permission. We invite all singers to read these accounts along with Ms. Corbett-Barnes reply to form their own conclusions.
CS attended Sari Gruber’s Alice Tully Hall recital last February, presented by the Naumburg Foundation. In the midst of a thriving career, this soprano shares why she doesn’t like competitions—and why she feels they’re important. Read how she creates a great look for a competition or recital, how she networked in her “pre-management” days, and why her relationship with her accompanist is truly unique.
The BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, one of the more repertoire-intensive competitions around, hosts 25 singers every other year in Cardiff, Wales for seven days of fierce competition. Nicole Cabell, the first American ever to receive the title “Singer of the World,” talks about the road that led to her success at this competition and others, about how she managed to pack for both a week of competing and a two-week European tour, and how she prepares on the day before a competition. Singers interested in taking part in the 2007 BBC Cardiff Competition should e-mail cardiff.singer@bbc.co.uk.
Competitions can sometimes seem to be a recipe for failure. Often they have only one winner, which means they have many losers. Competitions shouldn’t always be about winning, however, as master teacher David Jones points out. Competing in competitions can also provide invaluable performing experience, feedback from judges, and networking opportunities. Whatever your reason for competing, read David Jones’ advice for that next competition. From determining if you’ll be competitive, to what to wear, to choosing the right repertoire, to how to prepare, it’s all here.
Classical Singer was in attendance at the 2005 Concours Musical International de Montréal, a competition hosted in the historic city of Montreal, Canada. Each year the competition focuses on a different instrument, and 2005 was the year of the voice. The 2006 competition will feature violinists, but the 2007 Concours will again be for voice. Applications for entry are available for download now at www.jeunessesmusicales.com/en/concours/concours.asp.
Opera Company Founder Dies Bass-baritone Benjamin Matthews passed away Feb. 14, at the age of 72. He sang with a number of major opera companies, including the New York City
Each month CS highlights one of its readers. If you’d like to take Center Stage in an upcoming issue of Classical Singer, visit www.classicalsinger.com/magazine/center_stage/. Tell us about yourself, and upload a picture. We want to know about you!
Dear Editor: I just wanted to thank you for the issue [February 2006] devoted to singers with families. I gave birth to the most precious baby boy in November, but
