Shaquille O'Neal Conducts The Boston Pops

Hey, who said basketball player can't conduct---

The story of Danielle de Niese-A Met rising star

Danielle de Niese is a young, talented opera singer, who graduated from the Met's young artist program and is part of the Met's family.
I had heard a lot of about her from other sources before seeing her performance at the Met a few weeks ago. She was fantastic. I realized some people tent to devalue her credibility as a "genuine" opera singer (thanks a lot, ms. Jenkins) because she can be perceived as "scatterbrained" (She is young, pretty, and full of energy) . In an interview I saw online, De Niese was being very opened about her feelings about a particular recital, she did not try to polish her comments (maybe she wasn't taught to) like many others would, so that the wording can be more "mainstream". I appreciate this kind of honesty, more so than any given interview by Renee Fleming where she is generally held back with expressions, and chooses her words carefully. Perhaps it's because that's how most of us are taught to talk in front of cameras or reporters-image is everything.

It reminded me how I got into the study, and what a bless it is to have an incredibly supportive family that believes in me. Between painting and singing, my world is a constant joy and pleasure of free expression, and for that, I know I'm a lucky one.

Danielle de Niese recently posted a blog post on Huffington, it's rather open and extremely down to earth. Isn't it not how most of us got into opera?

My name is Danielle de Niese. I am an international opera singer who travels around the globe performing in opera, concert and recital for major venues and presenters worldwide.

I'm a performer...Click for full artical

The Magic Flute!

Since I'm going to be doing "The Magic Flute" in Scotland, next year, I thought I'd post something from the opera, thanks to You Tube, makes posting anything sooo easy! I'm excited to be in the production, and it came as complete surprise,thank you for giving me this opportunity, Carol! Rehearsal starts after Thanksgiving in the state, and the admission proceed with be used to the benefit of the singers!

Whoa! Long time no see! Now something cheerful and hilarious!


Dudley Moore a spoof on Benjamin Britten


Dean Martin and Victor Borge, it's just too darn funny!

R.I.P Joan Sutherland

I've posted some videos of Dame Joan Sutherland in the past. Sutherland possessed a magical voice, warm resonance and a wide range. I was not able to hear her live, even once. While there are so many famous, beautiful opera singers with popular profile, we should always remember the passed ones, as they are the inspiration for today's opera.

Taste of the golden age

Last week we attended a Salon where 7 or 8 singers and friends got together to share repertories and inspirations. After the singing part, the host played a series of opera repertoires sang by stars from 1920-1930. In those days people didn't have the necessary recording and editing equipment to make the singing"seamless" by editing the breaths out, record on two tracks, etc like they are doing commonly today to the studio singers, in order to make the singing "perfect". However, when all factor are accounted for, the voice does what it is designated for- pure singing. I can hear the resonance, the verbrato, and even the traces of breathing was attractive enough it gave me a better perspective on what the modern signings are lacking, as we depend heavily on technical support. Just like painting, we often refer back to the old masters from 15th-19th century, to gain fresher perspective to our own motif, the source of inspiration and influence.

I thought we begin with one of my all time fav diva,

Licia Albanese

PRIMA DONNA???

Rufus Wainwright's Prima Donna has been the topic ever since he began composing it. The met doesn't want it, but Rufus keep trying. What do you think?