Kimozart

We're Gonna Make It After All!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:03:00 +0000

INTENSE WEEK.

There are no other words. Here are the highlights:

We just found out that our usual juries have been changed this semester. Instead of singing 4 songs for a panel of voice teachers, we're singing 2-3 songs for ALL the voice students and the panel. So we're all doing our juries in front of each other. How exciting! People are really freaking out, but it just makes me more excited. 1. I love a bigger audience. 2. I love to hear everyone. 3. It ups the anty. 4. It seems like it'll be more low-key. I could be wrong, but I guess we'll find out!

So I'm excited. I'm ready to hit this out of the park! More on that after it happens.

Tammy was so kind as to fit in a coaching before my big opera scenes performance on Sunday. My Werther needed a little tweaking but now I know that it will be good. I'm glad that I didn't have to go on without that coaching today. I'm really looking forward to (but am a little nervous) for Sunday. The Barber trio went really well today. We solidified all the staging and I'm really proud of how it's turned out. I just hope we get it all!

Honestly, though, I have WAYY too much fun in opera rehearsal. I think it should be illegal to have that much fun. It's my favorite thing in the whole wide world. I got to be Dorabella and Rosina today. I got to be Cherubino and Charlotte two days ago. I am so lucky! AND THE MUSIC. Ahhhhhhh, I could just die now. Especially the Werther...it's just out of this world gorgeous.

Ok, I'm off to type my script for my German final project. Bis bald!

A Little Night Music

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:32:00 +0000

24 hours ago, I was tearing up the dance floor of an 19th century building, imagining myself as the 21st century version of Cinderella. Now I'm sitting on my bed, attempting to finish my 10-page analysis of Mozart's 40th Symphony while listening with my new headphones and sipping wine. THIS IS THE LIFE.

So yesterday I turned 21 and it was one heck-of-a birthday. I got up at 7am for my 8am hair appointment. I hosted a party from 12-5. All my friends from school and my entire family was there and the house was packed (<3). Then, I pulled on my gown and went over to the Merchant Marine Academy to meet my date for the annual Christmas Ball. We danced and had fun until about 1am, at which time I nearly fell asleep on my date on the car-ride home while explaining the difference between opera, operetta, and musical theater. In short, it was a nearly perfect day.

Now I'm back to the grind and finishing my final paper for my musical form analysis class. I'm really enjoying the wine that my aunt and uncle bought for me; it's (legit) the first wine that I've actually liked. I'd tell you what it is but I can't remember the name and the bottle is all the way downstairs. It's white wine with cranberry flavoring and I love it.

Sooooooooooooooo...dress rehearsal and/or concert every single night this week. Monday-Sunday. Good times. :) I'll let you know how it goes...that is, if I survive.

Big Black Bruises and Instant Coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:04:00 +0000

I woke up this morning with really big bruises on the back of my legs. One of them takes up half of my thigh! This is intense. My Mom was like, "Omgosh, what the heck are they doing to you?" But I know exactly how I got them.

Yesterday, I had opera rehearsal from 2-7:30. Granted, I didn't rehearse the entire time (I spent 3 hours assisting the costume designer! More on that in a second) but I had some intense rehearsal time. I blame all my battle wounds on Rossini.

We were doing the trio from The Barber of Seville for about 45 minutes. It's a very physical scene. The music is fast and the situation is intense so things get pretty crazy pretty fast. (Then again, the entire show is fast and intense and hysterical. I cannot wait to sing this show!) Basically, the three of us are trying to get out of my house so that the Count and I (Rosina) can elope. However, each character has a different opinion on the best method of escape so in the end everyone is pulling on everyone else and I really get whipped around the stage because it's me versus two boys.

There's this one section of the staging that came about by improv on the Count's part, but it worked so well that we kept it. However, it was tricky to make it "work" so we had to run it a few dozen times. In the course of the staging, the Count pushes me up against a thigh-high table. Hence the bruises. I kept saying, "I'm going to have bruises tomorrow." And I was right. But I am not ashamed of my battle scars! Besides, the staging is really clever so it's totally worth all the bruising.

The three hours I spent with the costumer were so much fun. (We're starting on costuming for the big opera, Die Fledermaus, which we're performing in January.) She is really cool and über-creative. I wrote down measurements as she took them and helped her catalog all the clothes that people brought in. Between appointments, we got to chat and we were talking about the whole clothing-design industry and being an artist and what we want to do with our lives. She really loves what she's doing and I love to meet people who love what they're doing. She has a studio in NYC that I'd LOVE to see. I knew her vaguely because she worked with us on the opera last year. One of the best pro-s of being the scribe was that I got the scoop on the costumes for all the leads in the show. (The entire production presentation -- with sets, costumes, overall concept, etc -- is next week but it was so nice to get a sneak peek yesterday.)

I'm getting really excited for this show. It's supposed to be set in the 1860s but due to budget issues (and my director's innate dislike for "traditional" productions), we're setting the opera in the 1980s. ROCK ON. I was told that the entire first act is a pool-side scene. The lead soprano is going to be in a bathing suit, cover-up, and heels. The tenor is the pool-boy (LOL). When the costumer asked him if he'd wear a Speedo (and nothing but a Speedo, LOL x 1000), he flat-out refused. Then she asked if he'd wear tiny shorts instead, but he refused that, too. He put his hand to his knee and said, "No shorter than this!" He talked about it for the rest of the day and made his Facebook status "Derek will absolutely NOT wear a Speedo on stage. EVER. Final Answer." <3

I was even more excited to hear what my character is going to be like. They've decided to make my character GLAMROCK. Think David Bowie. Frilly shirt, leather jacket, big boots, crazy hair...YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Apparently the party that I'm throwing is actually a social experiment. All the guests/victims (aka the chorus) are uppity socialites and I'm the "cool" rebel. Cool stuff. I cannot WAIT for January!

I came home so exhausted last night. But it's that great feeling of exhaustion when you're happy and tired and fulfilled. This morning was another story. My severe lack of money forced me to drink instant coffee (that I can get for free at the office I work at). But that's okay. I can settle for instant coffee. In fact, it tastes good just because it's a symbol of what my life will be and I'm happy to take that life because it means that I get to sing opera again tomorrow.

Kim is Über-Thankful

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:05:00 +0000

Recipe for a great audition:

1. practice until you can't practice anymore
2. get beaten up by your private teacher
3. rally everyone you know to pray for you and pray a lot yourself
4. be told that you're the best thing since Marilyn Horne by your private teacher
5. have your friends freak out on you and cause massive drama the entire week before
6. practice and pray until you can't anymore
7. pick out a pretty dress
8. wake up early and warm-up
9. get there early
10. go in there and knock it out of the park

Thank God.

I had my concerto competition audition today and I sang three of Mahler's Rückertlieder (Ich atmet' einen Lindenduft, Liebst du um Schönheit, Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen). Those pieces are out-of-this-world gorgeous. I always feel so honored to be able to sing them. I wanted so badly to do them justice and today I feel like I accomplished something. Everyone on the panel enjoyed my performance and I had such a wonderful time. It was a win-win situation and I couldn't be happier.

Mahler, you make my life.

The Psychology of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

I swear -- there is a secret code that, if known, can solve all your social problems. There must be an algorithm. I just need to find it!

Tammy has been playing "good cop, bad cop" with me lately. Just what I need right now. She's really hard on me/annoyed one day and the next she's like "Omgosh, you sound beautiful" etc etc. She's been putting stuff on my recital/jury, taking it off, putting it back on...in short, making me crazy. She's trying to rattle my cage. I'm not going to let it get to me!

That's what's amazing about private voice teachers -- they not only teach you how to sing, but they teach you how to live. She's preparing me for my LIFE. It's crazy to have someone in your life who is purposely trying to improve you not only in your craft, but in the way you present yourself to the world.

Here's a beautiful quote that a soprano friend of mine posted. Her voice teacher in Hungary (from when she was studying there) said this to her:

"Singing, the feeling inside when you are singing...enjoy it...remember that feeling...because the sound that results from this feeling is you...it feels good because this sound is you. Singing is who you are. No one else can make that sound for you. It is your own. Use it. Embrace it. Share it."

I am so inspired by this. Tammy has said some really deep things to me, too. These are the sort of quotes that push me onward, that make me remember that THIS IS IT and that I'm doing the right thing with my life. Honestly, I've never been so sure of anything in my life. It's a little scary but totally exciting.

Notte e giorno faticar

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:12:00 +0000

Saturday night I had the distinct pleasure of experiencing Chris Alden's new Don Giovanni at the NYCO. And it was an experience.

It was truly a work of art -- I will say that. It was a visual, intellectual, and musical pleasure. He did so many innovative things. Some things worked really well and others didn't, but absolutely no production is perfect. Nevertheless, it was a masterful work of art. The tempi and the staging and the concepts were always deliberate. You could tell that he had specific details in mind for each character and each scene.

There are two specific comments that I'd like to make on the production. First of all, I loved his choice of setting. It WORKED, especially in Act II. I also loved how he handed the truly climatic moments such as the beginning, the very end, and the entire scene with the Commendatore.

The one decision that really stood out to me was the fact that all three women were the same. Granted all three women are written for soprano, but a director usually switches up the voice types. For example, you'll have a full lyric soprano, a light lyric soprano, and a lyric mezzo. In this production, all three women were lyric sopranos and their voices were similar. Also, their physicality was the same when they were dealing with Don Giovanni. All three women reacted the same way (physically) to Don Giovanni. This cannot be a coincidence. It was so exact that it must have been planned. This is a very interesting concept and it definitely adds depth to the show.

However, the best part of the night was definitely meeting Chris Alden himself. Isabel introduced us and I got to speak with Mr. Alden! I was so honored and excited. He was very chill and intelligent. It was a really great moment for me.

This is my first season with NYCO and I'm really liking it so far. I saw Weisgall's Esther last Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately I will not be getting back to the Met until the end of December. My crazy concert schedule keeps me away. :( It's okay though -- next time I'm there, I'll be seeing Richard Strauss (again!) so it's worth the wait. :)

I Want the World...I Want the Whole World!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Opera Theater of Saint Louis is hosting the world premiere of The Golden Ticket, a new opera based on Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. One of my favorite mezzos, Jennifer Rivera, is playing Veruca Salt. (Of course the mezzo would play the bratty kid...)

As exciting as this is, this brings up a topic that I've been thinking about/talking with other people about recently. What is with this new trend of making musicals out of movies? Granted, Charlie is a book, but there are two big movies and a musical based on it already. Now there needs to be an opera of it? I think the question needs to be: is this good operatic material?

So here's my problem: medium. Every medium -- be it opera, broadway musical, movie, play, novel, whatever -- has its inherent strong points. Some stories just work in a certain medium. When you start juggling it around, the story loses its original impact. Shrek the musical? Spiderman the musical? An opera based on An Inconvenient Truth? I mean, come on -- who thought this was a good idea? You see the same thing happen when they make your favorite book into a movie. Some movie renditions are wonderful and they even enhance the original story, but some books just lose all their power when they're put into movie form.

I've noticed a trend, especially in broadway musicals, and I think that these media are being compromised because everything new that is being written isn't taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of the form in mind. I could blame it all on commercialism, but this trend began before the recession came in full-force. I think the cause is more laziness than anything. There isn't a commitment to the craft. There needs to be a commitment to the craft! Nothing good ever came from half-hearted writing.

Joyce Didonato said it perfectly in her last post when she explained Dr. George Gibson's philosophy. He believes in the three Ds: Dedication, Disclipline, and Determination. I think that is such a great motivator and thing to live by. If only the entertainment industry would do the same...

Winter uncovers distances...

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:55:00 +0000

Dear Life,

How can you be so complex and lovely and draining all at once? I've been here so long, trying in vain to peer through you, but all I see are nameless things-- those things which inspire and confound and ignite.

Open to me! Show me your secrets! Explain yourself. Unravel the hand-knit knots that plague my mind. Night and day you stare me down and laugh because I cannot stare back long enough to win against you. Give in just this once--let me beat you!

God, you present such beautiful things: the scent of winter's fireplaces on the night air, the feel of a wool scarf on my fragile throat, the sight of a kiss blown across the room from one so beloved, the sound of enchanting music -- music to break my heart from an abundance of love.

I gather it all about me; I try to let it seep in. My soul desires and yet resists. When will anything make sense?

See, you have tired me out! I can only sleep now. Unconsciousness beckons to me. I cannot push it away; I cannot stop my hearing. I seek it out as it searches after me. Sleep--one of my favorite dance partners. Let us waltz!

Until tomorrow. Only until tomorrow. Then we shall begin all over again. Conflict, love, tension, release, revelation...

Love,
me

The Skinny on Skinny

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:57:00 +0000

I walked into work today and the first words out of my coworker's mouth were,

"Hey there, skinny girl!"

I'm proud to announce that I am wearing a size 10 pair of jeans today. In May, I was pushing a 14. Here's the story:

In May, I was cast in the opera and I said to myself, "Now this is real. In order to have this career, I need to look amazing." I was really inspired by something that Natalie Dessay (a very successful opera singer) said in an interview. She said, "[If you're on stage,] you have to make people dream." I agree with that. Also, I'm totally committed to my artistry and I want to make my character look like they would if they really existed. It needs to be realistic on every level. Prince Orlofsky, a spoiled brat rich teenage boy, is definitely skinner than I am. Besides, I work so hard on my technique and my languages and everything- why should I work any less on this aspect of my performance? I can't let anything get in my way. Therefore I started to try.

The first five attempts/strategies did not work. Some were a lot of work (and I lost literally ZERO pounds) and some made me sick (I got off them immediately) but I've never used pills and I've only done things naturally. (I will talk in a second about the health aspect of this.)

While I was in Austria, I ate tons of pastries and sang my butt off and dropped to a 12. But I couldn't do anything after that and I couldn't go back to Austria and simulate the experience, so I was stuck once again. Two weeks ago, I started a new diet that has finally worked and I am now a size 10. I am thanking God every day because SOMETHING IS FINALLY WORKING! Sure, I'm not eating any of my favorite foods, but it's worth it! I learned that everyone's body is different and you have to find what works for your chemistry. I guess it's like everything else in life: when things don't work the first time, try something else and never give up!

Now, I was committed to losing weight in a healthy way, because I think that it's very important. Looking good means nothing if you're not healthy. Besides, as an opera singer, my body is my instrument and I have changed my lifestyle on a few accounts in order to keep it in top condition. As a singer, you also have to be extremely careful about losing weight because fat distribution affects your singing and technique. (There's an extremely interesting blog post about how your body type affects the sort of vocal problems that you will encounter.) Dropping weight too fast or unnaturally can cause major issues with your voice. That is the last thing I need because it totally defeats the purpose of losing weight in the first place!

So here's my thing: if you want something bad enough, work hard to get it. Go for what you want! I still have a ways to go (and this will probably be a life-long endeavor of mine), but I'm willing to do it because I love what I'm doing and I will do anything I can to be completely successful at it.

Prince Orlofsky, here I come!

Everything = Opera

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:15:00 +0000

I love how everything in my life always relates back to opera.

I was doing laundry with my mom last night (or rather, I was watching her do laundry and blabbing on about my life) and she picked up this red V-neck T-shirt and said,

"I've never seen this shirt before. Who's is it? Is this yours?"

"No," I answered. "That must be Ryan's -- it's a boy shirt. I can tell the difference between boy's clothes and girl's clothes." (I am so proud of my amazing skillz at this point.)

My mom laughed and said,

"Yeah, that's because you wear both."

Touché.

Never a Dull Moment

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:22:00 +0000

We had some interesting moments in opera scenes yesterday that are definitely worth sharing.

First, Christina (Rosalinde in January) came in with kiddie tattoos all over her one arm ("I got a sleeve" she told me jokingly). Isabel saw her from far away and said "What did you do?" Christina assured her that they were not real and that she was just "bored" last night. Isabel gave her the evil eye and said, "I kill you!"

((This reminded me of all the rules about being in a show and I forgot that those restrictions have started already. That's why Isabel was so shocked to see my red hair in September...I'd already been cast at that point. I love how your opera director has the right to dictate your life. At least she hasn't asked me to do anything crazy yet. YET.))

Then, Jackie was doing "Vedrai, carino" (Don Giovanni) and Isabel was trying to explain Zerlina and Masetto. She said, "You guys have probably known each other since you were 5. Who knows, you might even be related." OH-KAY. THAT puts a whole new spin on the story... Hello rated-R Don Giovanni!

Some people did another scene from Don Giovanni and Leporello decided that Masetto had to go so he slung Masetto over his shoulder and walked out. And Masetto was still singing!

I was invited to be a non-singing participant in a scene from Un Ballo in Maschera. There were about 4 girls and one guy chosen besides the girl playing Oscar. Who gets chosen to play the king? Me. Naturally. The one guy, Paul, looked so bewildered. His facial expression was priceless.

A scene from Don Pasquale ended with the kid playing Don Pasquale getting legit SLAPPED in the face. His glasses went flying and a lens popped out! Everyone gasped. This was serious drama! Isabel commented that we need to learn "boundaries." I never thought I'd hear that word come out of her mouth but I'm so glad that it did!

So that was my day yesterday. Never a dull moment in the world of opera!

Der Rosenkavalier Strikes Again

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:21:00 +0000

First things first: SUSAN GRAHAM BOWED LAST!

Ok, now, let me say that the Met's Rosenkavalier last night was divine. The last notes were absolutely heavenly. Overall, the singing was fantastic (I even liked the Faninal!). My only complaint is that La Renee got a little too emotional at times.

Honestly, Susan Graham stood out from all the amazingness. She spun gorgeous, gorgeous lines of nuanced gloriousness that just took my breath away. She was funny and always a treat to watch onstage. I love her Octavian to pieces.

The production was so TRADITIONAL. I was almost in shock from of its traditional-ness. I liked it most of the time. I wasn't as moved by the drama as I usually am. I think there was a bit of stiffness in the joints but overall, the music more than made up for it.

But, Susan Graham...so incredible. She brought the house down for sure and I'm so glad that they gave her last bow because she totally deserved it.

The fact that the Marschallin usually gets the last bow is a major pet-peeve of mine. I mean, she's not there for all of Act II and half of Act III and the opera is named Der Rosenkavalier. Why does the mezzo always get the short end of the stick? Finally, Octavian bowed last and it couldn't have been a better mezzo to do the job.

I am happy. I am tired and over-worked and happy.

E Susanna non vien...

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:52:00 +0000

Opera scenes rehearsals are always interesting, but I had a very special opportunity last Thursday. George, Alex, and Christina are doing the "Cosa sento" trio from Le Nozze di Figaro and on Thursday, Christina had to leave to tutor some unlucky kid in eartraining (I say "unlucky" because he/she is still in eartraining) but the trio still had to practice. When George asked where Christina was, Isabel explained and then she pointed at me and said, "Kim will sing Susanna." I was just sitting there innocently waiting for my Barbiere trio to rehearse. I was slightly shocked and really excited. I got up and said, "I'm not a soprano, but sure!"

I've heard the trio before but I've never sang it. So I was sight-reading, but I wasn't too scared. Mozart is my ally. :)

It all went fine. I was able to supply a Susanna so they could practice. What fun! I love singing a character that I never would otherwise. I can hit all the notes without a problem -- it's just the heaviest Susanna that I've ever heard.

Gosh, I love that scene. That trio is genius.

I'm not sure if Isabel picked me because she knew I'd be able to do it or because she was trying to push me out of my comfort zone. She's been doing the latter a lot lately-- I've noticed and I appreciate it. A little push never hurt anyone.

A funny story from Fledermaus rehearsal:

We've been having Fledermaus chorus rehearsals for some time now and they finally let the principals come in on Thursday. So I got to sing my solo stuff with the chorus. We were halfway through the Act II Finale and I have this tricky entrance (the meter changes, I get one beat of entrance from the conductor, I come in without a note...you get the idea) so I was really concentrated.

I came in on time, in meter, and on the right note but in the wrong language. WHOOPS.

We're doing Fledermaus in English but it's originally written in German. When I came in, I was singing in German. I don't have the German words in my score, I've never seen the German words to this section before, and I've never practiced this in German. I have NO idea why I started singing it in German! Only I would sing a foreign language when I should be singing in my native language. Oh boy.

Everyone burst out laughing and we had to start the number over. We had to take a minute so I could recuperate from the laughing (it WAS really funny). Ally, who's playing Ida, turned to me and said,

"That was so adorable!"

Good times. I'm sure there will be MANY more to come. I can't wait to start rehearsing Fledermaus in earnest! It's going to be so much fun...

Zitti, zitti, piano, piano!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:48:00 +0000

The opening of Il Barbiere at the Met last Saturday was a real treat. Even though it is THE MET, every performance is not perfect (my college buddies are still grumbling about the Fri night Aida) but this one came real close. Every singer was dead-on and the orchestra was so clean. It was just lovely.

I really loved hearing Joyce Didonato sing live. There's definitely something "lost in translation" when you hear her recordings. There's this special dimension to her voice that I've never heard before until I heard her live on Saturday. She didn't let anyone down (by any means!) with her performance.

There was one moment when I gasped because Bartolo and Almaviva were fighting over her (as they do throughout the entire opera) and she fell over. All I could think was "OH NO! She's still recuperating from her broken leg!" But she bounced right back up like nothing had happened. If you didn't know that she was recovering, you never would have known. She whipped around that stage like it was nobody's business. Actually, I think her Rosina was more active than in the simulcast from the 07-08 season.

In short, the performance was immensely enjoyable from start to finish. What a great way for me to kick off this season!

Less than a week until Rosenkavalier!!! I CANNOT WAIT!

You Gotta Use What You Got

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:51:00 +0000

So whoever said that music doesn't have magical properties? The funniest thing happened at opera scenes yesterday:

I was running through my Werther piece with George (on piano). It was just a musical run-through and no one was actually supposed to be listening. But, alas, it's rather hard to NOT hear my voice (through walls, down the street, you get the idea...).

So after I finished, I went to sit down and Brian (one of my good friends) leaned over and said,

"One day, I'm just going to propose. There's something about when you sing...whenever you sing, you make me want to marry you."

Haha!

Then Rachel, hearing this, leaned over and said,

"I never told you this, but last semester at opera scenes, Pat [her boyfriend] said to me, 'Honey, you sang beautifully, but when Kim sang I just wanted to marry her.'" LOLZZZZ

So apparently my singing has magical powers. At least it inspires people to virtue (and not other things). Marriage is a good thing! This could be very useful. Maybe this will work in real life...

In other news, I'm going to see the opening of Il Barbiere di Siviglia tonight!! This is my first time to the Met this season. I've been dying to go back since the opening gala. I'm really excited because this is my first opportunity to see Joyce Didonato live. I ADORE Joyce Didonato and I'm so pumped about finally seeing her live. I've tried so many times before but it's never worked out. Now, it's happening!! Yes!

Besides, Barbiere is one of my favorite operas. Also, I'm doing a scene from it this semester and an aria from it on my Junior Recital in May. :)

8:30 can't come soon enough...

Maybe a Psych Degree is Good for Something After All

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:19:00 +0000

My Mom finally put her psychology degree to good use: she helped me with my opera homework.

I'm studying a scene from Werther and I couldn't figure out Charlotte's super-objective. She's a very complicated character and I really needed someone to talk with about it. It took about an hour of conversation, but it was worth it! I went in to Isabel with my idea and she was totally satisfied. I told my Mom and she's like, "I wasn't a psych major for nothing!" hahah

I don't have anything against psych majors; I'm just being silly. My Mom actually did a lot with her psych degree. She went into advertising and eventually got a high-level job with A. C. Nielsen (the people responsible for TV ratings). She's very good at figuring people out and she has given me valuable insight on more than one occasion. It's like having my own personal shrink. ;)

Either way, I'm very happy with how my "character work check-up" went yesterday. Isabel was excited by the things I was spewing out. I even got a "that's intense" from George. SCORE.

I was reading an interview with Vesselina Kasarova (an EXCEPTIONAL opera singer) and she said something very interesting about acting. She almost alludes to the fact that you can mess up your mind and your emotional state if you take on the wrong characters at the wrong time. She says it this way,

"Beside the vocal range, it’s also very important to know the character of the role. For example, there are roles I could sing now because all the notes are there, but the problem is to bring in the character, and that I couldn’t do right now. Maybe later, with more experience, then it would all come together. With the dramatic repertoire, the point is that you are singing with so much emotion that these emotions really can damage your voice. It's not the notes which are written, but there is so much happening in your mind.. For example, if young singers try certain roles too early, it can be a problem, because on stage these emotions, these feelings, don't fit your personal state of being. Maybe a boy who's thirteen years old isn't ready to do certain things. It's the same for the singer. You will have difficulties to control the balance of all these big emotions. So it's better to be a bit older."

(You can find the entire interview here.)

Interesting, no? I've always wondered about this and I find it very interesting to actually see that someone else has an opinion on it.

Most people think that don't have to act to be an opera singer, but this is ENTIRELY untrue. Opera is an extension of straight theater and therefore it adheres to the principles of drama. The actual physical act of singing does sometimes hamper the movement onstage, but this isn't to the degree that most people believe.

This is a whole other discussion in itself (so I'll leave it for the moment), but what I'm trying to say is that this character of Charlotte is definitely stretching my limits. She's my age but she's been through much more than I have and so, in one sense, she's older than I am. It's going to be very interesting learning how to balance the emotions and the music in this scene. This is a very dark, charged scene and I'm going to have to figure out how to let the dark elements of the scene leak in without letting too much in (because that would destroy everything). I have my goals laid out for me.

Oh, and keeping my sanity is always a good thing.

Werther!...Werther!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:08:00 +0000

First and foremost: if there is anyone out there who knows Massenet's Werther (or even Goethe's Werther), please leave me a comment or shoot me an email. I want to talk! I need some informed opinions on a couple of things. Thank you. :)

Second of all: ah, there is so much going on! My life is so musically rich right now; it's crazy. Not only am I singing Charlotte's Letter Scene for opera scenes, but I'm also singing the "zitti, piano" trio from Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Guys, this is epic. I'm playing TWO women in one semester! SCORE! Not only that, but two of the most amazing women mezzo roles known to mankind. It doesn't get much better than this!

To top things off, we're playing Berlioz's Nuits d'ete in symphony and Tammy is singing! AND we're singing Brahms' "Lieberliedes Walzer" in Chamber Singers. There's a mezzo solo in that. ;)

And as if life couldn't be amazing enough, I'm seeing Joyce Didonato in Barbiere on Oct 3 and then Fleming, Graham, and Persson in Rosenkavalier twice in one week (Oct 13 and 19)!! THERE IS SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

I can't contain myself right now. I just might burst.

Much Love to PBS (and Music in General)

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:32:00 +0000

How lovely to turn on the TV and see La Diva lighting up the stage with her rockin' self. This was truly a wonderful day.

My day: discovery of Hindemith's orchestral suite from "Mathis der Maler" (<3), Chopin's "raindrop" prelude in Form Analysis class, Fledermaus in practice time, 3 amazing new CDs and one on the way (Haydn's L'anima del filosofo; Orfeo ed Euridice!!), Messiaen and Berlioz and Renee Fleming on plasma TV to finish it all off.

Tomorrow: lesson with the Tammeister in which there will be much Orlofsky, opera scenes in which I will unveil my Werther scene (über goosebumps and crossed fingers for that one...), Chamber Singers rehearsal in which I will complain and yet be so happy, Italian 3 in which I will laugh and seem intelligent.

In short: music is everywhere and life is good. :)

An item from my wishlist to feed my current Orpheus obsession:

Puttering

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 03:37:00 +0000

It's true; it's all true. The Merchant Marine Academy played (and defeated!) the Coast Guard Academy. I saw half of the game. I really tried to get into it but my brain just couldn't enjoy it. So at half-time, I left and my sister and I watched Vesselina Kasarova on my I-pod, played "guess that artist," and played "cast that opera" (in which an opera is proposed and you make up your dream cast). So I'm a nerd. I can't help it!

Just for the record, we decided that our ideal Cosi would be:
Fiordiligi - Malin Hartelius
Dorabella - Vesselina Kasarova
Despina - Joyce DiDonato
Guglielmo - Gerald Finley
Ferrando - Juan Diego Florez
Don Alfonso - Hakan Hagegard

Fighting the College Stress (or just Life Stress)

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:21:00 +0000

School's back in session and that means BRING ON THE STRESS! (Especially if you're a music major and you have 10 days to learn 10 pages of music in French plus do all your homework and practice everything else and show up for rehearsal and... Need I go on?)

So, here are 5 ways that I've found to reduce stress and bring a little HAPPY! into your life.

1. Read Jennifer Rivera's blog, Trying to Remain Opera-tional. She's so funny and down-to-earth and you'll always learn something about the "real world of opera." Or you'll learn something about life -- she can be very deep. Either way, it's a great way to add a little flavor to your day.

2. Listen to Mozart on the way to class. There's nothing like Mozart to lift your spirits no matter WHAT is happening. MP3 downloads on Amazon are easy and cheap! I suggest The Overture to The Marriage of Figaro (only $0.99!) or one of the beautiful duets of all time, "Ah perdona al primo affetto" (from La Clemenza di Tito) which is also only $0.99.

3. Take 10 minutes to just sit and drink a cup of coffee (or other comforting beverage of choice). Taking time to just "chill" gets you prepared to face the rest of the day.

4. Read a Psalm. Even if you're not "into the God thing" or whatever, you have no idea how these words can bring peace into your life. They're so reassuring and calming -- definitely worth turning to when you're really stressed out. You can find a "modern" version of the Bible (no "Thou art" and such) online. Here's two really good spots: Psalm 37 and Song of Songs 4:8-15.

5. Write a letter. Writing a letter to someone is such a nice (and unexpected gesture). Not only will it give you time to relax and just enjoy something for a moment, but it will have a nice effect in the future when that person gets the letter. Draw pictures on it for extra stress relief. :)

Confidence!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:34:00 +0000

I have confidence in sunshine! I have confidence in rain!

Singers and their egos -- an age-old conversation about the nature of the diva.

Proposition: is it possible to be a singer and not have an ego? Is being "confident" the opposite of being "egotistical"? Is there a distinction? It is possible to have a healthy ego?

Answer: I'm not sure that it's possible to pursue your goals (as a singer, as anything) without some thought of "I can do this." If you don't have any prospect of success, why would you pursue it?

So, a singer must have some level of confidence in her/himself. I suppose the real question is: when does that level of confidence get too high?

I'm always worried about being overly sure of my musical skills-- I have so much to learn and improve upon. But then, so does everyone. This summer I realized that I've been underestimating myself all along and this has been detrimental to the way that I present myself. In a way, underestimating is just as bad as overestimating because I wasn't giving God credit for the talents that He gave me. It's like someone giving you a Rolex and then you turn around and say "Oh, my watch isn't that great" just to seem humble. That's not helping anyone and it's offensive to the person who gave you the watch in the first place.

This summer I acquired some CORAGGIO! and MUT! and I am much better off. Once again, life is all about finding the balance between two extremes. We all have to re-adjust from time to time; I just had to tip my scales a little bit.

Now, farther up and further in!

Survival of the Thinnest

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:23:00 +0000

I survived my first two days of classes. I actually didn't die (as I feared I would) in my German 3 class and I didn't get lost! Not even once! This is truly worth celebrating.

However, with college comes too much work, too little sleep, and no money. I have been living on coffee and bananas (since they are the cheapest/healthiest things on campus) and I'm not too sad about it. I eat at home when I can (amazing chicken caesar salad last night!!) and eats bananas when I can't. Oh, the life of a diva -- so glamorous.

I had a very interesting lesson with Tammy yesterday in which I learned a lot about singing, life, myself, and Mozart. It doesn't get any better than that. Also, I inadvertently made Tammy laugh. I could not get this one thing and she just said "down bow!" and I got it no problem. She just looked at me and laughed to herself. I love those moments. (For those of you who don't know, "down bow" is cello lingo. Tammy and I both play the cello.)

Well, it's almost time for my Form Analysis class. Dr. Cinnamon said this is our "first real theory class" even though I've been taking theory for four semesters. Joy.

Junior

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:50:00 +0000

First day of school! Last night my sister asked me what I was going to wear and I'm like, "As if I've actually thought about this already...I'll figure it out in the morning." I guess by the time you're a junior in college, you get over the "first day of school outfit" hype. That, or I'm just a mezzo loser. Probably the latter.

I've already assisted many a wandering freshman and watched the professors/administrators/other-important-people walk to Convocation in their Harry Potter robes and hoods. They had bagpipes playing at the head of the procession! I didn't remember that from last year's convocation. I wonder who sang the National Anthem. You think I'd be up on this sort of stuff...

My first class was sufficiently bogus. It's a "real life math" class (aka "Kim needs a math class and this one isn't Calculus") and I'm sitting in class wondering if the person who created this class was serious or purposely creating something ridiculous. I guess I'll never know. My professor takes it pretty seriously.

I already saw some people and Alyssa (one of the Adeles and <3) asked me where my recital partner was and expected me to know. Haha Rachel and I are being associated now. As if I'm supposed to keep tabs on her just because she's my recital partner. It's so cute! :)

Today I still have German and Form & Analysis, my two hardest classes. I'm a bit nervous (especially for German) but I'm sure everything will go well. I have a much easier day tomorrow. Isabel (finally) emailed us and we have opera scenes on Tues. :D I can't wait to see everyone again! Isabel is so funny; our company is called Hofstra Opera Theater so she calls it H.O.T. and when she wrote the email today, she started it with "Hello HOTTIES!" haahahahahahhaha She makes my life.

Tammy lesson tomorrow! Can't wait. The verdict's still out on my opera scene choice, so I'll be excited to know. :)

And just to prove that I can do something besides sing and rant about opera, here's the first poem in a set that I'm writing called Songs of Orfeo. Let me know what you think.

1
Euridice

Sunlit sky calls to you:
“Come to me! You are mine!”
Your soul – a gathering of feathered light—
stretches to the heavens.

Can your soul escape its prison,
this slight form of flesh
(this one called Euridice),
to return home?

If the light-crafted soul escapes,
what will become of you,
my own—my Euridice?

Will you melt into the earth, into darkness,
never again to see the sun?
Never again to wake with me in the light?

New

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:06:00 +0000

I've been thinking that this blog has become (or always was) rather boring and un-me, which is sad. I want to be able to show off my personality and interests here, but it seems like I've always been tied down by the idea that I have to write a "good" post or that I have to have a "proper" blog. I'm not sure if that idea is right or not, but I think I'm going to throw it out the window. Bon voyage!

From now on, I'm going to write as me. Even that sounds pretentious. OH WELL. I'm sorry if this blog becomes horrible or whatever, but I don't care anymore. I'm just going to write about me and what I'm doing and what I'm dealing with.

This is a new semester, a new year, a new opportunity to be a better human being. I cut my hair pretty short -- it's my version of "growing it out." You have to even it out before it can grow out, right? Right.

*sigh* Haircuts...the bane of my existence. If only my hair was as nice and manageable as it was when I was 10. Then life would be perfect. (ha) Still, why is it that when I was ten years old, my hair looked like it walked right out of a Hollywood dressing room every day? I didn't DO anything! Just more proof that life is never fair. (Mercy makes life unfair just as soon as politics ever does.)

So, this semester is opera-exciting because 1. we have Fledermaus (and I have Orlofsky!) in January and 2. we have opera scenes starting in the next week. Tammy originally wanted me to sing the letter scene from Werther but I didn't have enough time with Europe and such to learn it (it's long!). This is epically sad because that scene is so incredibly gorgeous and I'd love love love to sing it. Instead I'm going to suggest Sesto's "Parto, parto," an aria which makes up for the Werther, makes my heart stupidly happy and simultaneously shows off my mad coloratura skillz. Of course, I could just unveil my "Una voce" but then what would be left for my recital, "Der Hölle Rache"?

Somehow I don't think that would go over well...

Now I must have two declarations of love.

One, to my new favorite blogger Jennifer Rivera. Her blog Trying to Remain Opera-tional makes me laugh and feel better about myself every day. Much love to her and her honestly humorous antics. The fact that she is a mezzo just makes it all the better. She talks about Sesto and my heart melts (Mozart, honestly). Also, I've learned a lot from her posts on stage kissing and traveling and all those other wonderful things that I have to deal with. Reading about her experiences was like re-living my European Adventure. It's so nice to not be "the only one"! There's something cathartic about reading your thoughts in someone else's words.

Second, my love for a new CD that I just got from my beloved amazon.com: a collection of mezzo arias sung by Vesselina Kasarova. Her singing blows my mind. The one thing that I love most about it is her ability to be so expressive without sacrificing musicality or technicality. She's always spot on with her technique and she never disrespects the music or the composer. And yet, there's something new in her interpretations -- a life and expression that I haven't heard elsewhere. Her "voi che" and "che faro" and "nacqui all'affano" are to DIE for. Actually, the whole album pretty much is worth dying for. Best $7.99 of my life!

It amuses me that I can feel so much for words on a computer screen and the effect of air moving past two folds of cartilage. Words and music...how I love you both!

101

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:53:00 +0000

This is my 101st post! WOO-HOO!

In other news, I had my lesson with Tammy and she's thrilled with how I sound after my European excursion. Score! She's very happy with how I fared and what I learned. (I survived and I'm happy for that. To get her approval is even better!)

I'm so ready for this semester! Granted, I still have some French to tackle for my opera scenes selection and I have to iron out the harmonies for the Fledermaus choruses... Otherwise, I'm pumped! I haven't been this excited for school since...I don't know, since a while. I can't wait to see everyone and to start all my ensembles again. My summer was filled with music and learning and I'm sure that this semester will be the same! It will be a bit more stressful than my summer, but I'm willing to take it since it comes with such good company. And all the incoming freshman! Can't wait to see what admissions dragged in this time.

There's so much to look forward to this year: my junior recital, accompanying Tammy on Berlioz's Nuits D'ete, the concerto competition, Fledermaus (of course!), being a junior, my Mahler honors project, German classes, surprises, Rosenkavalier at the Met, my 21st birthday, new friends... The list keeps going and it's pretty sweet. I'm happy and excited and ready. Let's go!