Page 28 - Classical Singer Magazine November/December 2019

Dorothy Danner
character and the period. It is impressive for a director to sense that you have done your homework, and it is the director’s job to bring out the very best in every performer. Delving into the research and making choices will personalize and deepen the characterization and will create a sense of ownership.
The best artists I know never stop searching for a deeper and more interesting interpretation. Make active choices for your character and never settle to play a result such as, “I’m sad, I’m happy, I’m lonely.” This leads to what I call opera face, which is one emotion for an aria or scene.
It is also important to excite each other in rehearsal. We want to see from the get-go how well you can relate to your partners onstage. How well do you listen to your partners? Are you really seeing what’s going on around you? Make choices with your
partners and help to build a strong ensemble feeling.
I thought of something this morning that I wish someone would have told me when I was young. My sister-in-law, the brilliant actress Blythe Danner, was the speaker recently at AMDA’s [American Musical and Dramatic Academy] graduation in New York City—my niece was graduating. The message was never to personalize anything because you will never really know why you were hired, not hired, red, or whatever. Personalizing is a waste of time. You cannot know the details behind certain choices.
Sometimes, someone might
give you a really rough time in rehearsal—but it’s not about you, it’s more likely about them. Just cope with your insecurities and with others’ insecurities. We have all chosen a business where we are very
exposed. You’re going to have so many ups and downs, but it’s the way you respond to defeat or negativity that matters. Will you complain, argue, give up, or turn it into a source of strength?
M elanie K ohn Day is associate professor of music at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School
of the Arts in Richmond. She serves as director of the award-winning VCU Opera, vocal coach, history of the art song instructor, and voice masterclass teacher. She spent 15 summers in Italy working for Operafestival di Roma
and served as its artistic director for
the last six of those years. In addition to her academic position and activities as
a pianist for singers, Day maintains a freelance coaching/voice studio for young professional singers.
Planning to Sing Abroad?
GERMAN FOR SINGERS is an intensive seven-week summer program in language, culture, and vocal performance at Middlebury’s Vermont campus, with custom-tailored instruction for your vocal career. Application due February 1.
June 26– August 14, 2020
go.middlebury.edu/germanforsingers
For questions, please contact director Bettina Matthias at bmatthia@middlebury.edu or 802-443-3248.
28 Classical Singer | November/December 2019
2020-21 BASS GRADUATE PERFORMANCE ASSISTANTSHIPS IN OPERA
The Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University is accepting applications for its 2020-21 Graduate Performance Assistantships in Opera.
Those selected will be awarded a two-year, full-tuition scholarship in pursuit of an MM degree in opera performance or vocal performance and an annual stipend of $2,000, beginning in Fall 2020.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Performance opportunities for vocalists include a six-show, 18-performance season by OCU’s Oklahoma Opera and Music Theater Company, winner of seven National Opera Association Production Awards in the past six years.
APPLY
okcu.edu/music/degree-programs/graduate
CONNECT WITH OUR FACULTY
www.okcu.edu/musicinfo
OCU-TRAINED VOCALISTS HAVE PERFORMED AT FESTIVALS, VENUES AND COMPANIES INCLUDING:
The Metropolitan Opera Deutsche Oper Berlin La Scala
Opera Bastille Paris Opéra de Montréal Bavarian State Opera Lyric Opera of Chicago Houston Grand Opera Teatro Colón
Grosses Festspielhaus Semperoper Dresden Staatstheater Stuttgart Florence Opera
Opera Orchestre National Montpellier Washington National Opera Glimmerglass Opera
New York City Opera
Santa Fe Opera Bayreuth Festival Tivoli Festival Caramooor Festival Welsh National Opera San Francisco Opera Florida Grand Opera Los Angeles Opera Boston Lyric Opera
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