What to expect at a vocal recital

With my recital coming up in one week, some of you have asked me what to expect when coming to a vocal recital. I thought it might be good to discuss some basic aspects of what goes on at a vocal recital and answer some Frequently Asked Questions.

• Many people ask, what should I wear?  The answer is - whatever you like.  Some people will dress up and others will be in jeans.  There is no required attire - so just come!!!

• People often get confused as to wear to clap and where not to clap.  Let me help by stating that audiences should never clap in the middle of a "set" of music, but rather, wait until the entire set is complete and then applaud.  One example from my program is the Mignon Lieder by Hugo Wolf.  There are four pieces in this set and they are performed straight through without clapping or stopping.

• Another question people ask is what are you singing about?  It's true that much of the vocal repertoire is written in languages such as Italian, French and German.  However, there are two solutions:  1) I have posted the translations to all my pieces on my blog for you to read and 2) There will be "supertitles" shown at during the recital.  These are essentially the English translations to all the pieces.

• People ask how long is the recital?  I am singing 50 minutes of music + there is a intermission so the entire recital should last 75-90 minutes.
  

If you think of other questions - let me know and I will try to answer them!

See you Sunday!

HE IS RISEN!!!

HE IS RISEN!

Today is one of my favorite days of the year - Resurrection Sunday!  The reason I love this day is because I remember the time in my life when I was alone and on my own - and rotting in my own sin.  I was, as they say, in the pit.  But then I learned that I could get out, have a new beginning and know the most wonderful, perfect, kind, thoughtful, caring being in the Universe:  God!  Jesus Christ made a way for me when there seemed to be no way.  He paid my debt and took my place that I might be right with God.  I am so grateful because I was lost and blind - DEAD.  But now I am found and can see and am ALIVE - because HE LIVES!  

My favorite Easter song of all time is "They Could Not," by Ron Harris and Claire Cloninger & sung by Sandi Patti.  This song tells the triumphant story of Jesus' victory over sin and death!

"They looked at Him and saw a single man

A carpenter with healing in His hands

They saw Him calm a sea and heal a dying man

They saw but could they really understand

They could not, They could not

Though they tried, they could not

He was just a simple carpenter but with healing in His hands

But could they really understand, they could not

They listened to the teaching that they heard

They wondered at the mystery of His word

They wondered what He meant, about a Father's plan

They heard but could they really understand

They could not, They could not

Though they tried, they could not

They listened to the teaching about a Father's plan

But could they really understand, they could not

So finally upon a rugged cross

They killed the man who would not suffer loss

And when at last they took what willingly He gave

He died, but could they keep Him in the grave

They could not, They could not

Praise God, they could not

And when at last they took from Him what willingly He gave

Could they keep Him in the grave, could they keep Him in the grave,

Could they keep Him in the grave...

They could not, They could not

Praise God, they could not

And when at last they took from Him what willingly He gave

Could they keep Him in the grave, could they keep Him in the grave,

Could they keep Him in the grave, They could not!!!!"

Solo Voice Recital Repertoire

Solo Voice Recital Repertoire

"Und ob die Wolke," from Der Freischutz by von Weber

Goethe Lieder by Hugo Wolf

Mignon I:  Heiss mich nicht reden

Mignon II:  Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt

Mignon III:  So lasst mich scheinen

Mignon:  Kennst du das Land

"Marietta's Lied," from Die tote Stadt by Erich Wolfgang Korngold

INTERMISSION

Melodies Passageres by Samuel Barber

Puisque tout passe

Un cygne

Tombeau dans un parc

Le clocher chante

Depart

Four Songs by Richard Hundley

Will there really be a morning?

Come ready and see me

My master hath a garden

Moonlight Watermelon

Melodies Passageres, Puisque tout passe

I.  Since all things pass

"Since all things pass,

let's make a passing melody;

the one to quench our thirst

will be the one to win us.

What leaves us, let us sing

with love and art;

and swifter let us be

than the swift depart."

Melodies Passageres, Un Cygne

II.  A Swan

"A swan moves over the water

surrounded by itself,

like a painting that glides;

thus, at times,

a being one loves

is a whole moving space.

And draws near, doubled,

like the moving swan,

on our troubled soul...

which to that being adds

the trembling image

of happiness and doubt."

Melodies Passageres, Tombeau dans un parc

III.  Grave in a park

"At the end of the avenue, sleep,

tender child, beneath the stone;

around your interval we'll sing

the song of summer.

If a white dove

flies overhead,

I will lay upon your grave

only its shadow that falls."

Melodies Passageres, Le clocher chante

IV. The Bell Tower Sings

"Better warmed than a secular tower,

to ripen my carillon am I.

May it be sweet, may it be good

for the girls of Valais.

Every Sunday, tone by tone,

I throw them out my manna;

may it be good my carillon,

for the girls of Valais.

May it be sweet, may it be good;

into their beers on Saturday nights,

drop by drop, falls my carillon

for the boys of the girls of Valais."

Melodies Passageres, Depart

V. Departure

"My sweet, I must go away.

Would you like to see 

the place on the map?

It's a black point.

In me, it will be

if the thing succeeds,

a rose-red point

in a green land."

Perfectionist or Pursuer of Excellence? -- and why it matters.

OK - so with two weeks to go to my recital I learned a BIG lesson today!

My perfectionism cannot be in charge!  I must re-think what I am trying to do here.  As singers we often work so hard to "get it right" that we lose the beauty of why we went into music in the first place.  YES - it is important to know your notes, music, translations, etc... but there comes a time when we just have to make music and not judge or condemn ourselves for not being perfect.  *In case you're wondering, I am talking to myself.  

But seriously - what's going on here?  Life is not about being perfect but rather striving for excellence.  I really like what Dr. Kevin Leman (Psychologist) has to say on this subject.  In his book "The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are," Chapter 6 is entitled "Moving from Perfectionism toward Excellence."  He lists eight differences between perfectionists and pursuers of excellence:

1.  Those who chase perfection are always reaching beyond their grasp-for the top.  They set impossible goals.  Pursuers of excellence set goals too, according to their own high standards, but they put those goals within reach.

2.  Perfectionists base their value on their accomplishments.  They have to produce or else.  Seekers of excellence value themselves simply for who they are.

3.  Perfectionists are easily dismayed by disappointment and will often throw up their hands in total defeat because if they can't be perfect, why even try?  Seekers of excellence can be disappointed or hurt by a setback but they don't give up.  They keep moving toward their goal.

4.  Perfectionists regard failure as the ultimate evil and let it devastate them.  Pursuers of excellence are always learning from their mistakes and failures so they can do a better job in the future.

5.  Perfectionists remember their mistakes and chew on them the way a dog gnaws a bone.  They are sure everyone else remembers them too and are ready to pounce.  Seekers of excellence correct their mistakes and let them fade from memory so they aren't inhibited in the future.

6.  Perfectionists can only settle for being number one.  Pursuers of excellence are happy with themselves as long as they are sure they tried as hard as they could.

7.  Perfectionists fear and hate criticism and will either avoid it or ignore it.  Seekers of excellence don't enjoy criticism but they welcome it because it may help them improve.

8.  Perfectionists have to win or their self-image plunges to zero.  Pursuers of excellence can finish second, third, or even lower and their self-image remains strong.

I think the overall point of what he's saying is us perfectionists need to RELAX.  Not only is perfectionism a flaw - it can be very detrimental to your life.  I have watched myself waste and ruin so many moments in my life by getting mad at myself for not being perfect.  And while I hate this about myself, I am thankful for this moment to stop, evaluate and redirect my thoughts and energy.  I hope to meditate on these truths and set new goals for events such as my recital - a goal not to be perfect but something far greater!

Excited about new music - but not yet...

I am so excited about learning Sour Angelica 

as well as La Boheme and Don Giovanni 

- HOWEVER - 

my recital is in less than three weeks and I need to stay focused.  

So for now, it's Wolf, Barber, Hundley, etc...

"Senza mamma," from Suor Angelica by Puccini

As I prepare to travel to Italy to sing Suor Angelica, I thought you might like to hear Soprano, Barbara Frittoli sing Angelica's main aria "Senza mamma." This performance was done at the Metropolitan Opera in 2007.

In this scene, Angelica has just discovered that her son, whom she was forced to give up for adoption, has died. She mourns his death and the fact that she will never hold him and he will never know of her love for him.

"Und ob die Wolke," from Der Freischutz, by von Weber

"Und ob die Wolke," from Der Freischutz, 

by Carl Maria von Weber

“Even though a cloud may hide it,

The sun abides always in heaven’s tabernacle;

There, a holy will rules,

Blind chance does not govern the world.

That eye, ever pure and clear,

Appraises all beings justly, through love.

For me, too, will our Father care,

For I entrust heart and soul to him like a child,

And even if this were my last morning,

Should the Father’s word summon me from the

bridal threshold,

His eye, pure and clear,

Would appraise me justly too, with love.”

"Marietta's Lied," from Die tote Stadt, by Korngold

“Marietta’s Lied”

from Die tote Stadt, by Korngold

"Joy, that near to me remains, 


Come to me, my true love. 


Night sinks into the grove


You are my light and day.




Anxiously beats heart on heart

Hope itself soars heavenward.

How true, a sad song.


The song of true love,




that must die.

I know the song.


I heard it often in younger, 



in better days.

It has yet another verse--


Do I know it still?





Though sorrow becomes dark,. 


Come to me, my true love.

Lean (to me) your pale face

Death will not separate us.

If you must leave me one day,

Believe, there is an afterlife."

Spring Break has come and is quickly going away!

It's amazing to me that I used my spring break wisely and practiced my recital repertoire everyday and yet still feel that there is so much to do!

However, today I found a stunning royal blue gown to wear on April 6th for my first doctoral solo recital!  I am so excited!

More translations are coming so check back soon!

Mignon Lieder I: Heiss mich nicht reden, by Hugo Wolf

Mignon I:  Heiss mich nicht reden

"Bid me not speak, bid me be silent, for secrecy is my duty.  I should willingly show you all my inmost heart, but fate has willed it otherwise.  

In due time the sun's course dispels the dark night, and it must grow bright; 

the hard rocks opens its bosom, and does not grudge the earth the deep-hidden springs.

Everyone seeks peace in the arms of a friend, there the breast can pour out its laments; but my lips are closed by a vow, and only a god can release them."

Mignon Lieder II: Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, by Hugo Wolf

Mignon II:  Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt

"Only those who know yearning can fathom grief like mine.  Alone and sundered from all joy I scan the skies to the south.

Ah! he who loves me and knows me is far away.  My senses reel, my inmost being burns.  

Only those who know yearning can fathom grief like mine."

Mignon Lieder III: So lasst mich scheinen, by Hugo Wolf

Mignon III: So lasst mich scheinen

"Let me seem to be an angel until I become one; do not take my white dress from me.  I am hastening away from this fair earth to that long home.  There I shall rest awhile, then my eyes will open, renewed; then I shall leave behind this pure raiment, the girdle and the garland.  And those heavenly forms, they make no question of man or woman; and no clothes, no folds, trammel the transfigured body.  True, I have lived without trouble and care; but I felt deep pain enough.  I grew old with grief before my time; now let me be made forever young."

Mignon Lieder: Kennst du da Land, by Hugo Wolf

Mignon: Kennst du das Land

"Do you know the land where the lemons blossom, where oranges glow golden among dark leaves?  A soft wind breathes from the blue sky, the silent myrtle there and the tall laurel.  

Do you know it?  [Do you know it?]  There, there I long to go with you my love.

Do you know the house?  Its roof rests on pillars, the hall shines, the room gleams, and marble statues stand and look at me - 'What have they done to you my poor child?'

Do you know it?  [Do you know it?]  There, there I long to go with you my protector.

Do you know the mountain and its cloudy paths, where the mule seeks its way in the midst; in caves the old brood of the dragons dwells, the rock falls sheer and the torrent over it.

Do you know it?  [Do you know it?]  There, there lies our way; oh father, let us go.  [Let us go.]

Translations for Recital Repertoire

Hi friends and family,

I will be updating my blog with my recital repertoire translations.  I highly encourage you to read about the pieces before attending the recital, or listening to a recording of the recital.

Check in for upcoming translations and stories about the music!

Headed to Italy

It is official!  I am headed to Italy!

This summer I will be spending 1 month in Piobbico, Italy with The Professional Advantage.

http://www.theprofessionaladvantage.net

  

This program helps offer young emerging opera singers the chance to train alongside those working in the field as well as live among the locals in Italy.

While in Piobbico I will have daily Italian classes as well as prepare for a production of Suor Angelica where I will be performing the title role.  At the end of the program we will perform Suor Angelica with orchestra in the local opera house.  In addition we will also have a night of scenes and arias where I will be Mimi in Act III of La Boheme and Donna Elvira in the Sextet, Act II of Don Giovanni.

I am thrilled to anticipate this summer and I will be keeping you posted as new details arise!

But for now...

"Bueno Notte!"