What makes good opera singing? Dedicated to my fellow singers.
Singing opera is hard, singing opera and have a life at the same time is even harder (though not impassible), even though opera as an art form comes form life, mythology and historical events. Opera is a serious business which especially requires tremendous skill from the singers. Often opera singers are perceived as "people who can sing", but the truth is so much more beyond just being able to reiterate notes on stage. A good opera singer is a conscious musician, a qua-lingualist; an actor and a hard working bastard. In this profession, no one will let you on easy, or care about your tears and personal issues -- the show must go on with or without you. Generally, opera singers must be able to sing Italian, German, French, English repertoires (hence the "Qua-lingualist"), more the better of course. In the older days, the requirement for the singer's physical appearance was a lot more forgiving, that is not the case today. With HD TV making its way into theaters, now audiences can see each and every flaw. The old fashion "big lady wearing Horn" phenomenon is no longer common on bigger stages (I guess the show never ends then?). However, since I am a coloratura, I will never get to wear the horn (darn it!). I'm one of the "inas" (Zarlina, Babarina, Gretelina (ha!)...etc.)
Bottom line, it's a tough business but people can still make it in today's world. A mother is willing to do anything for her children, so should the singers, who must treat their work with patience and passion, and most of all -- confidence. Never let anyone tell you that you "can't" do something (unless the conductor), just do it for yourself. My dear mother, a tough, independent woman (with wicked sense of humor) who raised a family all by herself, is working on getting her MD degree today, that is remarkable, especially when there was (and still is) so much resistance to this path. In the years of accumulative work, she never gave up just because someone or something is in her way. My field is not nearly as frustrating as hers (I still get to practice in the shower!), but the world can always use a good doctor and a good opera singer :)
So chin up and keep up with that breathing exercise and seemingly boring scales singers, they are the foundation to success!
