Soprano Sommerreise 2013: Saturday finale! Not so grand...

Saturday ended with a migraine and early to bed while everyone else hung out. BUT, there were some good things before that. I talked about the morning, and picking up from there- there was a "lecture" by Garrett and Katz where they took questions and answered.

What do you look for in a singer to work with? Prepared, solid technically, imaginative

How do you promote yourself and make a career in recitaling? Tell people what you want to do. Define yourself and make a way to make it happen.

Are arias OK on recitals? Depends on audience and where you are in terms of exposure to culture.

How do you research a song? Start with text. Some research to understand important context, enough to have an opinion before the rehearsal. Opinion can change, but you need to have one.

How do we build audiences- learn to talk from the stage (elegant paraphrase). Garrett is excited about multi-media in recitals, Katz more hesitant but did just enjoy a Princeton recital with the Mark Morris dancers (they were attractive!)

Are voice recitals chamber music? Ways to get around this.

Recital programming: chronological approach doesn't have to be the arrangement. Something contemporary first (but talked about it first so people understand) or add jazz or musical theatre, etc.

Be yourself! Everybody else is taken.

Morris, Bolcom and John Musto

Quick bite to eat, then a 5:00 Concert that was quite enjoyable. SongFest alumni Matthew Morris and Tomasz Lis performed an eclectic program of Ives, Schubert, Warlock, Debussy, Tom Cipullo (A Death in the Family is a great piece!), Fine, and Faure. Good rep! Then, out to the plaza for a reception, theoretically with donors although I didn't meet any. By then, I really wasn't feeling well so I didn't really eat anything except some yellow watermelon. It ended up being a great time to take pictures with friends and basically say goodbye. Bittersweet, though Kerry, Kristine, Reverie, and I are going to be at NATS at the end of the month.

Me, and Lock

Meet Ivy, Kristine, and me

The Mentors: Lock, Mitra, Kerry, Kristine, Reverie, Ivy, Wanda, Nathan

Silliness

Then, to the Opera Gala concert coached by Martin Katz. Some good singing, but I really didn't feel good by then so I left early. Particularly good singing by Kate Tombaugh (every time, folks), Johnathan Cooper, Alexandra Razskazoff, and Bor Liang Lin. I stood in the hall for the last few since my migraine couldn't take any more resonant singing. Two singers to watch!

Alexandra