Maria Callas 78 rpm free audio

“Dolce e calmo”

 

“Casta diva”  

“O rendetemi la speme”

“Qui la voce sua soave”

“Vien diletto, è in ciel la luna”
  

http://www.mariacallasmuseum.org/_cetra/cetra.htm

The Yankee Diva's VLOG series:

HOW TO HANDEL NERVES

what can i say?  I love this woman...Joyce Didonato is one of the most amazing human beings, not just a wonderful mezzo soprano, but a warm, encouraging artist who cares about the growth of other young artists.  Watch the video and you will be thankful, trust me.

New York City Opera Negotiations End In Calls For Boycott, Strikes

 NEW YORK -- New York City Opera declared an impasse Thursday in contract negotiations with unions for its singers and musicians, threatening to present its abbreviated season without them and unilaterally imposing new work rules...

Thanksgiving Post Caballe, Bartoli and Sutherland

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Jonas Kaufmann Recital at the Met

The Jonas Kaufmann Recital at the Met was wonderful. Kaffmann not only sang repertories from Strauss and Mahler, he also brought up Tupac and Liszt.  It it hadn't been the under-the-weather audience's desperate attempt to hold off and release coughing during every brief in-betweens, we would had "the most romantic" performance.  The encores were fantastic as well, although we had to leave at the 4th encore, it was rare that he and the accompanist would be so generous with the performance.  Consider we only applauded  3 encores out of Andire Riau last time! 

 

The Honorable Daphne Guinness in her famous outfit and feathers (this time).

Dang! Giovanni!

Being so close to Met has all the benefits in the world for a learner like me:)  My first Don Giovanni experience was just pampering to say the least.  While the over all cast is great, Peter Mattei's Don Giovanni was purely mesmerizing.  He was perfect for it! see ny post article
I had been working on "Non mi dir" for a while, even though it won't be the audition choice, I just love the aria so much.  It's great to see it done on stage by a Met cast!  Real pros are no joke!

 

Looking forward to "Nabucco" and "Massah"already!!

Macmillian Cancer Support

We are working out a schedule for a charity recital for the Macmillian cancer support in the summer of 2012, in Scotland.  You can follow the link here "http://www.macmillan.org.uk/GetInvolved/Volunteer/Volunteering.aspx"

IT'S OFFICIAL!

Suni will be in the official cast of "Hansel und Gretel" next year!!  The date and location is yet TBA, but I'm guessing it will be around April...

Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park

When: Sep 15, 2011; 6:00 PM-9:00 PM 

Callas audio clip

Lord Harewood speaks about Callas’s stage presence.

Lord Harewood by amanda-rose

A Concert of Commemoration, Honoring the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

A Concert of Commemoration, Honoring the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

Avery Fisher Hall

Narrated by Jessye Norman

 

Karl Jenkins, Composer/Conductor
Jenkins: The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
Jenkins: For the Fallen: In Memoriam Alfryn Jenkins (US Premiere)
Jessye Norman, Narrator
Erika Powell, Soprano
Charlotte Daw Paulsen, Mezzo-Soprano
Brian Cheney, Tenor
Bradley Ellingboe, Bass-baritone
Featuring "The Really Big Chorus" (UK)
René Clausen, Composer/Conductor
Clausen: Memorial
Barber: Adagio for Strings 
Featuring Distinguished Concerts Orchestra International and Distinguished Concerts Singers International
Distinguished Concerts Singers International: Bedford Presbyterian Senior Choir (NH), The Concert Singers (CA), Concordia College Alumni Choir (MN), George Fox University's Concert Choir (OR), Gwinnett Symphony Chorus (GA), Manassas Chorale (VA), The Master Chorale of Fargo-Moorhead (ND), Prescott Master Singers (AZ), Windsong Southland Chorale (Ontario, CA)

 

Today is a heavy, heavy day, in both mind and heart.  

My husband and I are invited to the concert at the Lincoln Center by a dear friend.  It has been 10 long years since the attack took place in the most unimaginably busy city-New York.  The old scar is still bleeding and every year we are reminded just how very vulnerable we really are.  It is so hard for every American to re-live the most terrifying moments in the history of his nation, but somehow we need to remember, as it is the only way to move and be strong.  We find our friend by the fountain, chat a bit while waiting for the others.  The choral members flew in from England are scattered around the fountain, dressed in distinguish black.  The sky is gray, miserable clouds would seal up the atmosphere tight, extending well beyond the skyline.  Everything seems strange.  The crowd closes in, we walk into the Avery Fisher Hall to find our seats.  Ms. Norman is tonight's narrator.  I have been very curios about her, having heard and seem so much of her as an opera singer and a terrific model for young, talented black women.  Finally I get my wish granted!  I would love to hear her "Dido's Lament", but she is the narrator tonight.  

The performance is in two chapters.  S.Barber's "Adagio for Stings" is absolutely stunning, eerie, but stunning.   The first chapter re-visualizes the attack  of the twin towers.  It begins with light, happy music that displays a sunny, worry-free morning on the September 11th.  Suddenly the mood changes and breaks away from the pleasantness, then it's followed with dramatic change of color and tempo, revisiting the brutal attack scenes.  The drum is so intense and mind shaking that I am nearly coming to a heart attack whenever strikes. The second chapter is filled with collection of prayers, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and Arabic...Steve's favorite part is the French marching music "The Armed Man", mine is the Arabic prayer, too bad it's a recording and not live.  

The music is powerful, during the entire chapter 1, there is one scene that keeps coming back to my mind as the drums get heavier and heavier, a photo most of the Americans have seen, of a man leaps and jumps out of one the attacked buildings, alone and hopeless.  I can not get it out of my head, it's painful to try to imagine what must be going through his mind at that very final moment of his life.  He is watched by millions, yet he is alone by himself...  I grab my husband's hand, hold it as tight as I can as if he is going to fly away if I didn't.  He turns and smiles back.  We know we have each other, and that is the most precious treasure anyone can find.

I want to thank all our soldiers, troops and people who have been sacrificing their life in order to protect ours.  I am proud to be part of you and that pledge, to always love and honor this beautiful nation brought closer by that fateful day.

 09.11.2001

R.I.P Salvatore Licitra

10 August 1968 – 5 September 2011

Salvatore Licitra was an Italian operatic tenor... (See source here). 

Lucia Popp " In Trutina "

A soubrett turned light lyric soprano, Lucia Popp created many sensational roles on stage, one which is Gretel from "Hansel & Gretel", it was essentially how I came to study Popp. What I most enjoy is her beautiful upper range and her warm timber quality in the tone. 

What the Fächer...?!

A "Master Class" Series!

Shall we begin with Renata Tebaldi? A true diva!

Anna on Dean Martin

She was such a party gal! Love her!!

Joan Sutherland talks about high notes

A very helpful interview with Dame Southerland about her fabulous high registers and Tessitura.
"Bel conto is not just about beautiful singing, it has to be very dramatic, very alive..."
A ever great line by Richard Bonynge, Sutherland's husband and the person who discovered her true Fach.

New Recording

Batti, batti, o bel Masetto!

Zerlina's aria from Don Giovanni

2012 is the audition year!!

I've been "diagnosed" to be a Lyric Soprano in the recent years, coming from a habitual Mezzo since elementary school, (my speaking voice is kind of tucked back.) it's been very different and challenging.
Often I am asked: What is a Lyric soprano and how does it differ from soprano / mezzo?
Wikipedia seems to have all the answers, this is what I found: A lyric soprano is a type of operatic soprano that has a warm quality with a bright, full timbre which can be heard over an orchestra. The lyric soprano voice generally has a higher tessitura than a soubrette and usually plays ingenues and other sympathetic characters in opera. Lyric sopranos have a range from approximately middle C (C4) to "high D" (D6).^[1] There is a tendency to divide lyric sopranos into two groups, light & full.

 And here is a good example, my hero-- Anna Moffo (She's from PA! So is Tina Fey!)

I'm gathering my repertories and preparing to audition for the NY lyric theater in 2012.  Whether I get in the semi or not, it is important that I try :) So cross fingers for me please!

In the shadow of the stars-An Oscar wining documentary about lives of opera singers

Here it is...The lives of professional opera chorus singers...It's definitely NOT how the public generally percepts it.  While opera stars get all the praises and flowers, the chorus is usually over looked. But you know what?  If you are start you will shine no matter where you are or what you are singing.  People who sing and ultimately pursue singing as a serious career must have the drive, the drive that will push you forward and forward, until you get it.  You might not be the big star, but no one can ever, ever take away your joy of singing, and that is far more important than singing the big stages.(Latter isn't bad, either, although)

Something out of the "Parerre Box"

Michael Fabiano and Renee Fleming in San Francisco Opera's Lucrezia Borgia. Click to see read.
I think it's really great to see Fabiano, coming from AVA now establishing a rising career in the highly comparative opera world.  When we first saw him, it was rather surprising that he had such natural volume... After watching "The Audition", which is an excellent documentary, recording a rare subject of today's young opera singers's life as student, singer and competitor. (Thinking of the ending, just makes me wanna cry...)  Go Philly's Opera singers~!!

Fabiano's AVA era

New art song recordings

Opera by Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall cancelled...

over gay reference...:( Basically, Lee Hall, writer of "Billy Elliot" was commissioned an opera by Opera North.  The school that was working along with the production, and were going to lend 300 pupils to the production did not feel comfortable with such line: Of course I'm queer/ That's why I left here / So if you infer / That I prefer / A lad to a lass / And I'm working class / I'd have to concur."  Neither party would budge, so the production is formally "canceled".  Hopefully the production will resume sometime in the future. (Man this would not have happened in Europe :()

Jersey Shore" Gone Wilde"

pt 2

pt 3

Jersey Shore Gone Wilde

Presented by "The Importance of Being Earnest" on Broadway at Roundabout Theatre Company. What if the characters of Broadway's "The Importance of Being Earnest" traveled through a time warp and woke up on the beach with Snooki, The Situation and the rest of the gang of MTV's "Jersey Shore"? In
an exclusive video series created for Playbill by "Earnest" stars Santino Fontana and David Furr, the Roundabout Theatre Company cast puts "Jersey" in the mouths of Oscar Wilde's famed Britons. Think of it as a comedy of bad manners. Part 1 in a multi-part series...

OY VEY fur REEEEAL

Nothing is always perfect

Oh boy, how can ANYONE ever do that at a theater?
What started out as a average Traviata, ended out with.... :(

At the end, it was just a bad day on stage, nothing more!

Le Nozze Di Figaro

Cherubino is a character from Mozart's "Le Nozze Di Figaro.  I have always loved this character because at the time Mozart was still in his 20's, therefore "Voi Che Sapete" to me was his way of questioning what "love" really was, while causing all these "ice and fire" symptoms to a person. 

Anna Moffo sings Voi che sapete, my Prima donna!


Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, whom I recently began to study technique of. Her voice was sweet and clear, her technique was solid, which enabled her to sing flawlessly.


Of course we can not skip beautiful Cecilia Bartoli. Her technique was one of a kind since her mother was her only vocal coach.  However this is a perfect example of how she utilize both her voice and acting on stage.

Jacques Snyman Background Piece

Is this the world's most manly counter-tenor ever?? Never judge a person's fach on his figure!

MARIA CALLAS ON BROADWAY?

Sing Out, Maria: Tyne Daly Brings Her ‘Master Class’ to Broadway...
----  Master Class is a portrait of opera diva Maria Callas told through her recollections of the glories, triumphs, and tragedies of her own life and career. Her voice is gone, her lover is long departed, and her sanity could possibly be next. All she has is a lonely itinerary of master classes and luggage packed full of the memories that are her only travel companion.

Maria Callas

Tyne Daly

Belcanto series- Belini & his "mad scenes"

Belini's best known opera was "Norma". "Casta Diva" is also one of my favorites.
My most beloved "Norma" was by Montserrat caballe, but I also love the Callas version...They are both DIVAS.

 Belini was young and ambitious.  In his bright and short lifespan, he longed for love, but had to place his career before everything.  In his operas, he created so many love scenes, and scenes where people went mad because of love, whereas in reality, he was lonely.  An aria "Torna, vezzosa Fillide" was an reinterpretation of a love poem given to him by his old lover.  Luckily Lawrence Brownlee, a wonderful tenor---

The lecturer used the "Mad Scene" as an example, and played several clips from Lucia diamaro, sang by Joan Sutherland.  The point, is that while other composers might make the singers going mad, which not by the nerological sense, rather it is a state of "anger", most singers blows up over sadness, then recover.

Belcanto Lecture Series Metropolitan Opera Guild

Recently we attend a series of Bel Canto lecture series, organized by The Metropolitan Opera Guild. Since it is about Bel Canto, it almost always has to start with one of the Gioachino Rossini (or Bellini, who is the subject of next week).

Here's my feed back----
First of all, what is "Bel Canto"? It literally means "Beautiful singing" in Italian. If you equate "Bel Canto" with a particular type of painting...let's say "landscape", as suppose to "Figure painting" , it should be a lot easier to understand, that while the medium may be the same, the language, the expression, the reaction might be very different. In classical singing, depending on one's capacity(or "Fach"), a singer will spend years to learn all necessary component, then will focus on studying a particular feild of singing. My fach is on the lyric & coloratura side, so I probably will not attempt Wagner...

To master Bel Canto, one must:

(this is taken straight out of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel_canto)
* an impeccable legato production throughout the singer's (seamless) range
* the use of a light tone in the higher registers,
* an agile, flexible technique capable of despatching ornate embellishments,
* the ability to execute fast, accurate divisions,
* the avoidance of aspirates and the eschewing of a loose vibrato,
* a pleasing, well-focused timbre,
* a clean attack,
* limpid diction, and
* graceful phrasing rooted in a complete mastery of breath control.
(if you can master all of the rules above, you are my god!!)

Singing isn't like doing math, where 1+1 must equal 2. Because each different person has different instrument. We will learn from the theories and methods from the masters, however our very own instrument defines our voice. Some people find their breathing more easily in Bel Canto style (by 'breathing" I meant the natural feel), some people shows more vocal advantage in Wager. The lecture began with a general coverage of Bel Canto, then it went on to introduce Rossini as one of the best composers of Bel Canto opera. Anyone can Google him and get a much better bio of him so I won't elaborate more.

What is interesting about the first lecture was that, several clips were played for us to make comparisons.

In particular, "Bel Raggio Lusinghier" by both Dame Joan Sutherland (RIP) (fast forward to 0:50)

and Joyce Didonato (love you love you love you)

an aria from "Semiramide", last opera composed by Rossini. The comparison between Sutherland, a soprano, and Didonato, a mezzo was quite interesting. Over all, Sutherland was splendid as usual with her masterful legato, high ornamentation and amazing vocal capacity...to be continued...

O cessate di piagarmi

Just had some time to finally record and arrange some art songs. I'd really like to keep it up!

Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5

My favorite Vocalise by Heitor Villa-Lobos...

Tarde uma nuvem rósea lenta e transparente.
Sobre o espaço, sonhadora e bela!
Surge no infinito a lua docemente,
Enfeitando a tarde, qual meiga donzela
Que se apresta e a linda sonhadoramente,
Em anseios d'alma para ficar bela
Grita ao céu e a terra toda a Natureza!
Cala a passarada aos seus tristes queixumes
E reflete o mar toda a Sua riqueza...
Suave a luz da lua desperta agora
A cruel saudade que ri e chora!
Tarde uma nuvem rósea lenta e transparente
Sobre o espaço, sonhadora e bela!

------------------------------------------
Evening, a rosy, slow and transparent cloud
Over the space dreamy and beautiful
The Moon sweetly appears in the horizon,
Decorating the afternoon like a nice damsel
Who rushes and dreamy adorns herself
With an anxious soul to become beautiful
Shout all Nature to the Sky and to the Earth!
All birds become silent to the Moon's complains
And the Sea reflects its great splendor.
Softly, the shining Moon just awakes
The cruel missing that laughs and cries.
Evening, a rosy, slow and transparent cloud
Over the space dreamy and beautiful...

Hey Arnold!

Le Comte Ory

The past weekend's Le Comte Ory, composed by Rossini, conducted by Maestro Maurizio Benini, was for the least, the most entertaining premiere that I have ever seen at the Met.
Here are some reviews - NY TIMES; OPERA TODAY;
Let me first say, the Met's Power Ranger - Maestro Levin has always been great. He is compassionate to the music, and can be both furious and sensible in his conducting. Many singers love working with him, hint audience also see him as the beloved mentor of their journey in opera. James Levin is THE icon of the Met for years, even though he will eventually retire, he will be missed terribly. However, I had already heard some rather negative reviews of Le Comte Ory, conducted by Italian Maestro Maurizio Benini. After seeing it, i am guessing perhaps Levin would have interpret the opera differently, with his own definition. But, I didn't mind the Benini interpretation a bit. And the fact that the delightful combination of Didonato, Damaru and Florez combination is so hilariously wonderful, one can hardly say the production is dull. I particularly enjoy the trio bed scene with Cont Ory, Contess and Isolier,what a charming design by director Bartlett Sher, that managed to avoid any potential confusion credits to the composer's playfulness mind. Mr.Sher whom I had encountered in "South Pacific" back in 2008, left me with good impression. I hope to see him more in the future, and a big BRAVO to the production.
It is also my first live sight of Diana Damrau,

Post Armida

Here are a few links to exsisting reviews of Armida at the Met in you are interested.

NY Times
NJ.com Review
New york Daily News
Superconductor

Now my 1/2 cents. I fell asleep and missed a part of the 2nd act (sorry! Blame on the dim lights and comfy seat!)

Armida, Fleming, The Met

I've long awaited the live performance of Renee Fleming, the "voice of century", one of the most beloved American sopranos today. For whatever reason, Fleming reminds me of Meg Ryan...? Not sure why?
One impressive thing about Renee Fleming is that, she has been involved not only in opera, but in many other genre of music as well: Jazz, Blues and even Indie rock-- that takes some courage!
Will report after seeing Armida!

Ground-Zero


As Britannia


Indie Rock

Our Hats are Off To You, Reneta Scotto!

Why do we sing? Is it for the fame? Is it for the spot light? Nein, it is because we simply love to sing, whether in shower, or on stage. The spot light, however, is good for pushing you to prefect the technique...

Reneta Scotto is legendary in the world of opera singers and fans. She is simply...sensational. The night at Hunter college began with a series montage of her childhood, young adulthood, first performance to eventually singing and coaching at the Met. When she was an under study for Maria Callas, she already had a solid technique, needing for a break point. In one occasion, she did, and made the over night sensation among opera fans. Not everyone is a fan of opera, but it's very hard to not love Scotto as a person; she is daring-not afraid to express herself, and certainly not a stage stiff. She is saturated with charm, wit and down-to-earth-ness. On top of all that, she is funny. Of course, there were plenty of Scotto's family and friends thee to show support, plus Placido Domigo, who came up stage to chat with the women he sang many times on stage with. Together they shared memories, sentiments, as colleagues, fiends, peers,as well as tachers of each other. The audience shared several clips of Scotto's performance, including a audition recording of her very first audition, where she was told "you have a voice, but you should really go back to play with you dolls...". Luckily, she didn't, or we won't have these moments---
Otello, Ave Maria

La Bohème, Si mi chiamano Mimì

My current vocal coach,a lovely lovely person who gave me tremendous support,was the personal assistant for Ms. Scotto for years. She speaks very highly of Ms. Scotto, in terms of her high integrity and standard. I would die to see them working together again!

Hansel Und Suni!

Suni is singing as Gretel in "Hansel Und Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck in the upcoming NY opera studio in the Spring~~Yeeeah. After singing as one of the "dead" boys in "Die Zaubert Flote", I'm finally singing as a lady ( well, sort of.) What I really would love to sing is the Witch's part (always the best). So excited!

Renata Scotto- Hunter college, NY

This weekend, the Metropolitan legendary soprano, Renata Scotto will "...be onstage to share rare video clips of her performances, including a new biography. She will discuss her life and career with Paul Gruber. A number of Scotto's fellow artists will join us in honoring this remarkable woman..."
Renata Scotto is one of my favorite sopranos, (it's obvious that I have many favorites :D). Scotto is full of life and emotion when she is on stage (off stage, as well). And she is just so down to earth, so giving to the opera world and young artists.
it's hard not to like her!!



Will report later about it!

Lucrezia Borgia

I would really like to see this opera!

"Nixson in China" Met premiere tonight

You can't really get much more "East meets West" than this. Written by American composer John Adams in 1987, the opera depicts President Richard Nixon's visit to China in 1972. At the time, China was still very hesitant to opening its door to the world. People lived simpler lives, wore plain color clothes, and wanted nothing to do with capitalism. Till this day, if you ask any Americans about China, they would probably tell you it's an old, big country and they love the food. Well, to really know a place, you have to go there, just as to really know a person, you have to get to the person. Nixon's visit was the first formal communication between the two countries. The opera is making its premiere at the Met tonight. I'm curious as to what the reviews will be like tomorrow, or late tonight.

My Opea Debut

My opera debut finally took its well deserved place last weekend. Now it's time to start preparing for new repertories and productions. I met so many wonderful and talented singers during the production and there's always something I can learn from
each and everyone of them. If you have a dream, don't wait for it to pass by, chase it, and chase it hard :D

Hi all, to see the complete production photos, please email me for the links!
It was a pleasure to be working with all of you, you were all wonderful & I hope to see you again soon in Hänsel und Gretel!

preparing for the "Flute"

For the past few weekends I spent a lot of time in rehearsals for the "Magic Flute" , singing as one of the spirits. Here are some sketches from the rehearsals.




My husband is volunteering as the stage art director, here is what he is doing for the production. Four 8'x4' canvases of out door scene. Can't wait until we can marry all the 4 panels.



Right now I only have one more ticket left on reserve, please contact me via my profile email to reserve.
My cast (the first cast) is on for Saturday, Jan29th at 2:00pm

PH2 SHETLER THEATER STUDIO

A Look to The flute In the Past

As a pat of the study, also having never seem The Flute live, we saw the Metropolitan Opera's abridged production on Xmas Eve. Although I was hoping to hear the diction in German, the opera was in English. It was a perfect holiday cheer, if you have young children, they will find it very entertaining. My husband and I really enjoyed the fairy tale like props and the puppet works involved in the production.
Here's a 2006 production, I think Papageno is sang by the same actor in this year's production.

How do we cope with pain

Too often there is a good guy and a bad guy in every story told by one or a group of very sad and hurt people. But in reality there usually is no bad guy--there is just a bitte reality that hurts to recognize and accept. It is so easy to point fingers, judging some people for being so mean and seemingly thoughtless. When we ask ourselves - what do people who have been emotionally wounded typically do? They lash out and hurt other people, to get even, sometimes intentionally but often times not, because that is their way of coping with their pain. You don't have to be a celebrity for your past to dictate how you cope in the present or how you manage your anger by taking it out on others. If instead you try to take a minute to understand where each person is coming from it might help to make things more clear and to give you the opportunity to choose to cope in a different way, and hopefully have a better outcome. A little understanding can go a long way.
While some people are moving on to their lives, some are still stuck to the past. Some people choose to never get to know a person, but kept