Marilyn Horne - What a great woman

Her career spans over 40 years. Her close friends and family call her Jackie

 because she made an appearance on The Odd Couple as a character named "Jackie".

I had the great pleasure of meeting this remarkable woman this October. When I sang for her, she was incredibly insightful, helpful in her comments and advice, and supportive and generous with her encouragement.
She wasn't sweet or motherly, but she said things exactly as they were, which is always greatly appreciated. I was surprised when she wanted to learn about my life, saying that it would help her understand me better.
She suggested specific roles and said that in order to sing them well I needed to work on my lower register. She said that I reminded her of the old gals she listened to, like Flagstad and Traubel. I couldn't have asked for a nicer compliment. Funny, I've never felt like a modern woman :)
We talked about fear and nerves, about having to put yourself first. The latter is more difficult than anyone imagines, if you are the sort that wants to make everyone happy. She said that nothing should bring you off track, that things like excercise, eating well, and practice should be my priorities. Yes, whew, it's true.

Since meeting Marilyn Horne I have been inspired to go out and seek what I need to get where I want to get.
I have a lovely picture of the both of us but promised not to put it on the internet. So sad, but I'll keep my promise Ms. Horne! Thank you so much!

Where are all the great contemporary composers?

Oh yeah, right. They are composing for film. Wouldn't you? Instead of scratching your cello not 'col legno' but 'sul legno' or incorporating happy birthday into ping-pong balls bouncing inside a piano. Anyway.
Clint Mansell
Hans Zimmer
Michael Nyman
Thomas Newman
Ann Dudley
who else...there are so many. Why bother with the scratching of the wood?

Yes, I really like this movie (Tristan and Isolde). How couldn't I? And no, I don't care how sappy it is.

Carl Maria von Weber - Is he really worth listening to?

(18–19 November 1786 – 4–5 June 1826)

Sure! He's not my favorite, because I think the early Romantic period is not my favorite. It's stuck between da capo and more free forms, the harmonies are boring, even though the stories want to say more. The text is also very repetetive in the virtuoso part of the arias, which reminds me a lot of Rossini. Especially the male parts suffer from this syndrome.

BUT, I've worked on 2 roles: Agathe from Der Freischütz and Rezia from Oberon and they are wonderful. The female leads get the better music. All the talking in the middle gets in the way (as always) and must be extremely difficult for a non-native, but "Ozean, Du Ungeheuer" (Oberon) is a masterfully composed aria, easy to sing with the right weight in the voice, and impressive as hell (if you have the extension and if people want to listen to an 8-minute piece during audition). It shows a lot of emotions, which are easier to understand than the worries evoked by bad omens that your hunter-fiancé might lose the shooting match and therefore lose you. Unfortunately Oberon is rarely performed.

I always thought that Agathe's two arias from "Der Freischütz" didn't belong to the same Fach. "Wie nahte mir der Schlummer...Leise, leise" is for a jugendlichdramatische soprano and "Und ob die Wolke" is for a lyric soprano or even high mezzo. And in fact on youtube you can find one or the other, but so far I've found no one singing both. Anyway. I have to listen to the whole opera (which I've seen several times live) to get the right idea again while studying. I must say I am not very excited about learning this, since I would prefer to start with Fidelio. But one has to follow the rule of things.

Hear dear Birgit Nilsson in "Ozean, Du Ungeheuer". She is so sweet in this, her expressions before she starts singing. There is also a great version of Callas singing this in English "Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster", since the original opera of Oberon is in English.

From the recordings I've listened to (and those are many) no one respects the 32nd notes written.

Maybe there's another version, and granted, they are hard to sing, but still...

Notice how her color changes singing in English.

(apparently she sang this as a 14 yr. old for her Athens Conservatory audition)

Luciano Berio Sequenza III per voce sola - Luisa Castellani

Here is Luisa Castellani doing the Sequenza III by L. Berio.

I actually own the score...sigh.

 

She showed us how she learned it. She cut up the whole sequenza in little intervals of a couple of seconds and actually learned them individually. Quite extraordinary. She's a great performer. Too bad her repertoire usually makes your stomach churn. I started with her and had a hard time getting into Caldara and Scarlatti thereafter. Heck, Berg was quite tonal in comparison.

Anne Sofie Von Otter sings Cantaloube "Chants d'Auvergne"

Although I don't know why she reminds me of Bridget Jones' mother here,  I still find her fantastic. Good to see this gifted singer in wonderful shape, looking "sparkly and twinkly" in Verbier. Always thought this song was freaky, from the time I heard my first teacher (Luisa Castellani) perform it.

the twin sister

Yep, she knows what she's talking about. When the hooded old man appeared, gleering at me with one eye from the shadow of a drooping hat (or hood, how it is often portrayed) I knew it had something to do with me too.
I really look forward to seeing her and J. Kaufmann in Die Walküre at the MET. I discovered Eva-Maria Westbroek learning "Der Männer Sippe". Her voice is big & beautiful, although she shows the beauty more in the Italian than in the German repertoire. Also sounds more like a soprano in the former.
Her energy however is what Wagner likes. And what she says about "O hehrstes Wunder" is exactly how I feel. I'm sure Jessye Norman feels the same way :) below in this memorable performance where she seems to blast away poor Brünnhilde (Hildegard Behrens).
Here's an article and interview with Eva-Maria Westbroek. When she talkes about the bowling buddies I wonder if she's referring to this one scene in The Big Lebowski.
Interview with EMW

Before there was Callas there was Tori Amos

at least for me...

She was my first love. My sister introduced her to me in 1993. Then a good friend gave me her first two CDs, the only copies he had, at his birthday party (one of the most mysterious I've been to). I think this changed my life forever. Even with opera singer parents it was Tori that passed me the drug, which started the habit I would never kick. Fascinating this perfomer. I've seen her twice in concert. Once in Zürich in 1996 and then in Naples in 2005. She supplies instant tears and hours of goosebumps. Tori forever!

"Neil makes me sleep" Neil Gaiman and his Tori doppelgänger character Delirium from "The Sandman".

Leontyne Price - precious words

I love the part where she refers to personal problems and people who talk about them. "That just sounds like whining to me." People sure do whine a lot.

She is amazing and her love for her own voice is inspiring. So few people admit that they are in need of their own voice, to hear it. That's the way it should be. How should one expect anyone else wanting to hear it if we don't. I guess listening to only your old recordings could get a bit lonely. Isn't that what Callas did?

I imagine she would need the time now to process this incredible life and listening helps her do it, or not?

She is from the era of the diva and it's so great to watch. Also one of the few singers who truly loved Herbert von Karajan. This video is a treasure because she is so sincere and gives great advice. Don't you just want that mirror!

How to become a Singer

I love how someone can just walk in, stand there, and already be funny. This woman! We've seen her before. It's so great and so true! She packs it all in humor, but the basis is true. Even the part about knowing cases where people paid to sing in opera. My friend Akiko told me that it's pretty common in Japan.

"A glorious voice, period." That says it all. And even though media has lent us other options, let's face it, that's what we want. My first real voice teacher said that people should be at the edge of their seats out of excitement and not in order to hear you better. Another mentor of mine said that if you have the ability to seduce with your voice, the audience shouldn't have to seduce your voice out of you. Just a thought.

I guess it makes me feel quite ordinaire that I also have visions of me hojotoho-ing in the winged helmet and brass bra :) When it comes to Wagner I prefer Bayreuth to the MET though...

Beau Soir

This person was so clever in putting together this video. The text and music are studied profoundly. I love it. Great job! So beautiful. I'm sure you recognize the voice. (R. Fleming)

Je t'adore

Leighton Meester (what a peculiar name!) Somebody To Love. I can't help but love this. The song is bad, let's face it (but it grows on you)- this is still so good watching. And je t'adore is to the point. A limo would be nice.

brain waves and music

This is a long video and I understand if you don't want to watch it. Especially since the beginning is in Korean. A friend of mine, Dr. John H. Gruzelier (an extraordinary person btw) is reporting about discoveries he and his science team have made about how brain wave training (alpha-theta) can enhance your performance skills in music and many other fields. It is truly remarkable and I really should do the training. ARrrrgh. LOL

mysterious times

I actually contacted this girl and got her CD! It is wonderful, if a bit repetitive, but her sound is haunting and she has a gift. When I saw this first I was transported to the world of myth and saga. Nice excursion. Especially in sandals.

Rococo Tulip

The Fountain - Darren Aronofsky

This is one of my favorite movies. It wasn't received that well and in an interview when asked about it, Darren Aronofsky says in a non-chalant manner that he is convinced it's because people didn't understand it and that it is the best thing he's ever done (and maybe ever will). I agree. "The Black Swan" is great, but this movie talks about the major issues in life in a very direct manner but with poesia. I love it. The music is incredible too. Frankly, if people don't understand it, I don't give a damn (haha). Do the work!

Looks like the director does give a damn though: http://blog.moviefone.com/2008/12/05/darren-aronofsky-wants-to-redo-the-fountain/

Louise Brooks - Pandora's Box

I've finally found this movie for keeps and this woman is intriguing. I can watch her forever. There's freedom in her movements. This is how I want to be with my voice. I love the music too (Clan of Xymox).
Silent film is such a rich artform, highly underrated these days. Btw this film contains the first ever "lesbian scene".

How does it become my own

I am studying this aria. Want to find ways to make it my own and figure, I'm not trying to free anyone from prison nor have I in the past (I'm sure Lorraine Hunt Lieberson would have aced this role). Am I angry? No. I have been. Am I sad? No, but I have been that too. So, what to do?
"Komm Hoffunung, lass den letzten Stern der müden nicht erbleichen. O komm, erhell mein Ziel, sei's noch so fern! Die Liebe wird's erreichen, ja, ja, die Liebe wird's erreichen."

Well, how many years, heaps of money, tears, nerves, relationships (even) have been spent so far? How much have I yet to invest? Who knows. I've obviously not arrived yet. But I believe I can and I wish to. So, what must I venture? Anyway... I ask for hope to continue and light my way and show me my goal before I'm too tired. Who or what will help me? Love, in all it's shapes and forms. So: LOVE!

This is Christa Ludwig's favorite role btw besides the witch in Humperdincks "Hensel and Gretel".

When something leaves you wanting more

He is stunning. Feels like a dream and a long time ago. We shall watch him.

A little exciting

It helps to have attempted other super-human tasks when approaching the role of Brünnhilde. I so far have only scratched on the surface. But I do liken it to the half-marathon I once ran (yes, it was only half, so maybe Siegfried and the beginning of Walküre). Or the 3 hour hike in the Swiss Alps which ended up being 9 hours when we got lost (hailballs were bouncing off bare skin and I sincerely wondered if we would ever get back down alive). So, how strong to be physically and emotionally? 

Well, let's imagine this ancient tree could talk. She would know.

An easy walk through the registers

It seems to be my "problem" now that the bottom register is not connected to the rest. Ironic when I think that I started as a contralto. But that was all B.S. anyway...I have been working on it. Who teaches this? Well, not many, I can assure you. The most difficult part is figuring out the support. Because it feels like you cannot support down there. Trust me, you can! Without it you fall into the scratchy uncomfortable grindiness which almost makes you feel like you are rubbing sanding paper against your cords. With it your chest is actually invited to participate und you suddenly feel like a cello or a double bass even. And you wish Zubin Mehta could see you now!

when all words fail

Sometimes words just get in the way, especially if they are in another language. I speak several languages and still find it hard to express myself sometimes because I want to open up my brain and heart ("aprimi il petto, e vedrai scritto in core") to show what's really going on. Nightmare would be this reaction:

favorite quotes

"Probably there is no good or bad music, there is only music that excites you and music that leaves you indifferent."
-Dimitri Shostakovich

"I don't remember anybody's name. How do you think the 'dahling' thing got started? "
-Zsa Zsa Gabor

magical, perfect, and so true

(notice the thumbnail similarity to W.M. below)

I so welcome this atmosphere. Really. The video fits the music so perfectly, that, like opera, it's hard to just listen to. I love it. 

Musicality over Instrument

Honestly, who else whished W.M. had the instrument to do what her musicality demands?

I have the greates respect for her. But this is an honest blog and how often have I wished W.M.'s brain placed in the head of f.e. Leontyne Price or Birgit Nilsson. Not to discredit the two, on the contrary, but to duplicate them with Waltraud Meier's musical ideas. This excerpt is so profoundly moving, but only on an intellectual level. To me the physical part of it is missing. Am I wrong? Great expectations...

Leontyne Price lets it rip once more

I felt like starting a new religion after this.
But seriously, I wish this kind of letting-it-rip were standard. Ok, it would be hard for Bach singers, although L.H. Lieberson did show us how, but I am so sick and tired of the robots out there.
It takes a lot of self confidence to do so. But, c'mon, if you've been invited to sing in the best opera houses in the world...
I've been fortunate enough to have had a private lesson with Marilyn Horne and her words "let it rip" still ring in my ear. Thanks Marilyn. Rock 'n' roll!

Mild und Leise or female multiple orgasms

Even if the post orgastic phase is longer and represented by the
subtle calming of the orchestra, this pretty much sums it up.

Without getting too personal or even being a scientist I must say that Wagner had it all figured out. I wonder if anyone celebrated women as much as he did. I think he had a strong connection to women. Letters he wrote to Mathilde Wesendonck suggest so. They must have talked about the most intimate matters. I believe his composing was breastfed. Behind every great man... Wagner wrote that he was brought to tears several times when transporting himself into the female soul, trying to find the essence of women (while studying the character of Elsa in Lohengrin).

Jonas Kaufmann changes in phone booth

Ah! Arte has pulled the video. Damn! Here is an intro to his Decca Album. Enjoy:

Can you fathom it? We have ourselves a new hero!

http://videos.arte.tv/de/videos/sehnsucht_jonas_kaufmann_singt_deutsche_arien-3592774.html

Hopefully this link will work for a long time. This concert was a super human act. I truly believe he is unsurpassed at present time. I feel like going outside in a damn blizzard and running 10 miles, then eating 2 steaks (I couldn't possibly manage more) and bathing in the fountain of youth before practicing for 10'000 hours straight (this seems more realistic). Makes you wanna work really hard. Or at least it does me.

My boyfriend expressed his worries about J. Kaufmann, hoping that if we ever sang together, I wouldn't fall in love with him. Now, just imagining for a second I would have the great honor and chance: of course I would! But probably in the way Leontyne Price talks about her love for v. Karajan... Music is a dimension one can live in without needing physicality. That's what's so drugging about it. Am I wrong?