For Pagerbear and friends who love classical music and opera

[mrdreamjeans]

I've never been part of the academic world when it comes music. I came to my singing/theatre career through a different route. However, I have a very strong appreciation and respect for those who have studied and trained, who have pursued their passion for classical music and opera, who continue that pursuit. As mentioned in a post earlier this morning, I attended an informal recital early yesterday morning for a friend of new acquaintance.

A soprano, Jennifer was recording a DVD as part of a pre-screening process for The University of Texas' PHD program. I'm not sure if the PHD program is for vocal performance, more specifically for opera or for music education. Jennifer's husband is the artistic director for our local professional theatre. She was able to record on the set of "The Importance of Being Ernest" with lovely peacock murals as her backdrop. She asked if I'd like to attend despite the early hour (8:45am) and I enthusiastically said yes. I wanted to learn more about the pursuit of graduate work and to hear her. As a person, she's a doll. As a singer, she's truly talented.

I thought how much pagerbear and a couple of my other LJ friends would have enjoyed the recital, so I thought I'd include the program here for their perusal:

* Come Unto Him - Handel
* La Courte Paille: 1. Le Sommeil; 2. Quelle Aventure; 3: La Reine de Coeur; 4. Ba, Be, Bi, Bo, Bu; 5. Les Anges Musicians; 6. Le Carafon; 7. Lune d'Avril (The seven short pieces made up one selection.) - Poulene
* Laurie's Song (The Tenderland) - Copland
* Widmung - Schumann
* Auch Kleine Dinge - Wolf
* Verborgenheit - Wolf
* Anakreon's Grab - Wolf
* Come Per Me (La Sonnambula) - Bellini

Jennifer has a lovely voice with a warm tone and a ringing top. She performed all of the pieces from memory. Of course, as someone who has only "played" an opera singer, I was particularly impressed with her command of the languages, especially the German. My favorite pieces were the Copland and the final showy Bellini aria. As Jennifer told me after, she loves the "decoration" (the trills and runs). If they like her DVD, the next step is a full concert for the admissions panel at UT. Let's wish her well!

Comments

[pagerbear.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a great recital. Why such an ungodly hour?!

If her focus is performance, the degree is probably a DMA.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The hour was set because she was recording in the theatre (the only time she could get the stage), coordinate her teaching schedule (she teaches at the junior college in town), and secure the services of the accompianist (pregnant with her 6th child:) and the videographer. Right after, she rushed to teach a class while I helped her husband put the grand piano away and restore the set pieces.

She did specifically mention a PHD, so that may be a prime indicator as to what type of extended graduate work she is seeking. I know she is also working with an agent for opera gigs in Europe.

What language other than English is your particular forte?

HUGS!

[pagerbear.livejournal.com]

Every English-speaking singer learns to sing in French, German, Italian, and church Latin as part of his/her training. One also runs other languages in opera, song, and choral music, and it doesn't hurt to be able to sing in Hebrew if you want to make a little bit of money around Hi-Ho time.

A Ph.D. would most likely be in music ed.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I believe I could learn and perform well in Italian, French and Latin, but I'd really have to work at the German ...

It was fun to hear that Chip took on the role of "cantor" in the piece he sang last week.

Thanks for the feedback!

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

Italian has its own tricks, it is all about the vowels. English is a Germanic language and as such, bears a lot of similarities. In learning German as a teen, the most difficult part was learning the gutteral sounds. Once you have it though, German pretty much is spoken as it is read. French, on the other hand, has its own set of challenges. My tongue is continually getting tangled up in my eye teeth and I can't see a thing that I am singing!

[pbehr.livejournal.com]

I sang in the Vancouver Men's Chorus in the early 80's as a completely untrained and naive bass. I was, however, fluent in French. I can remember being so surprised at how the French language just carried you along with the music. English, on the other hand, had to be pushed all the way all the time. I just hadn't recognized that until we sang in French.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I spent considerable time in Germany with tours of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita and didn't pick up much of the language. The shows were performed in English and most of the folks in the major cities were nice enough (and educated) to speak English. I only picked up a couple of phrases and random words. I did understand enough to realize how literal the language is ....

Of course, you'll be brushing up on languages for your trip next Summer! :)

My tongue is continually getting tangled up in my eye teeth You sure that's a singing issue? Hehehe

HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It's hard to imagine you as "naive":) Bass yes, naive no. Hehehe

I'm hardly an expert, but I find I enjoy the lightness of the French and Italian repertoire. I once sat through part of the Wagner Cycle at New York City Opera in the early 80s ... Sherrill Milnes and Ashley Putnam were the stars. I've got to admit I didn't much care for it, though Putnam sang beautifully. I'm much more of a Lucia De Lammermoor (sp?) kind of guy!

Gee! If you're a bass and I'm a first tenor, we just have to get cincydave and another baritone with our birthday. We can form a quartet and call it something like "Aries on 22"! LOL!

HUGS!

[pbehr.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm. Aries on 22 sounds like a very smart bar-restaurant.

I want a vodka martini right now.

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

The recital program sounds delicious. I could listen to Poulenc all day. For Wolf I need to be in a serious lieder mood. The way Bellini spins out the long lines of his melodies is always a marvel.

Since I have a little acquaintance (OK, a smattering) with languages other than English, one of my recent discoveries is that in order to speak (as in 'pronounce') a language correctly you have to figure out where it lies in the mouth. We tend to talk in the back of our mouth (very A-murr-ican). The French talk way up front - remember those pictures of General deGaulle pursing his lips into a characteristic vowel sound ? The Germans seem to go back and forth between front and back, which may be why the pronunciation can be challenging.
Just thought I'd take the opportunity to share the insight. Glad to hear you're surrounding yourself with music one way or another . HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Of course you do:)

I see Aries on 22 as trendy restaurant in downtown Victoria, perhaps with a zodiac theme. :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the insight!

I wasn't familiar with any of the pieces prior to hearing Jennifer sing them. She really does have a splendid voice and I'm usually not a big fan of sopranos:)

HUGS!

Talented friends (in more than one Language)

[redbearmark.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a lovely way to spend the morning with friends and music while in the theater.

Language is a challenge but also you can enjoy chewing on the consonants in other languages. German is imagined to be so very gutteral but you can sing is with delightful fluidity when you do it yourself.

Hugs!

[dragonessfaire.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the program notes- I too am a singer. No training other than the vocal lessons my father let me take with a private teacher (Her name is Mary Martin- what are the odds?) when I was young. All the best to Jennifer!

Re: Talented friends (in more than one Language)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you are very familiar with singing in German! Since I only speak English (and a bit of French), I so admire other peoples' fluency.

HUGS!

How was Vegas?

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Well, since you look so very young in your icon, you must have studied with Mary a loooong time after she killed in "Peter Pan" and "South Pacific"! :) *wink*

HUGS!

[dragonessfaire.livejournal.com]

Honestly- the pic is 15 years old. For whatever reason, there aren't any recent pictures that I have of myself that are digital. LOL- I will need to rectify that. I look damn good for 34 if you go by this outdated icon!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Of course, you do! I don't care how old folks' photos are. Why not put up the pictures where we think we look the best!! Makes sense to me:)

[pbehr.livejournal.com]

Zodiac around here implies a rubber utility boat. :-)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I love it when you talk Canadian:)

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Very very VERY cool! Let us know how she does. I know some of those pieces but not all of them. I'd love to check out the Poulenc set.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed! As to concerts, have a good one today!

Big HUGS!