Opera singing is a high-wire profession. Only the most tone-deaf will not wince when a note is off. It is all too obvious when part of a role lies too high, or too low or, indeed, hovers too much around the centre of the voice, for a particular singer. Audiences reach out in empathy when a singer arrives ‘sung out’ at the end of an opera… or prepare to boo.Dancers, and … [Read more...] about Top opera singers discuss how they choose and prepare new roles
Jennifer Larmore
Enzo Dara – tributes from his colleagues and friends: “What joy he brought to us all”
Some of Enzo Dara’s colleagues have written tributes and recollections of the great basso buffo, who died after a long illness on 25 August 2017.Teatro alla Scala left a declaration: Enzo Dara has for decades been the basso buffo par excellence, offering the Rossini revival, as well as the Donizetti operas, performances infused with captivating comedy and enriched by his … [Read more...] about Enzo Dara – tributes from his colleagues and friends: “What joy he brought to us all”
Great musicologist Philip Gossett remembered by his colleagues and friends
Philip Gossett called himself “a fan, a musician and a scholar,” in that order.The great music scholar, who died yesterday in Chicago at the age of 75, saw himself first and foremost as a fan. It was his love and passion for opera, especially Italian opera of the 19th century, which led him to communicate the fruits of his study so effectively not only to conductors and … [Read more...] about Great musicologist Philip Gossett remembered by his colleagues and friends
Jennifer Larmore answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? I always sang. My mother told me that I sang even before I talked. I also cannot remember a time when I didn’t sing.Why did you start singing? It has been the most natural thing in the world for me to sing. I always enjoyed it. I liked the sound of my own voice and I liked the way it made me feel.Which singer inspired you the most … [Read more...] about Jennifer Larmore answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition