Masterclass week and other recent musings

This week I was privaledged to take part in week long master classes and a final performance, hosted by da Corneto opera company of Chicago. They are a fantastic group to sing with at any occasion, and this week was the perfect icing on the cake. They are doing Faust (gounod) in concert version this spring and I will keep everyoen posted re dates etc.

For any who do not know, a master class is a music term for workshops led by talented conductors/singers/teachers/etc in which the student singers work to hone their craft. They can be intimidating, certainly, but are generally as beneficial to the observer as to the singer. Most of the singers record the class, because otherwise we cannot remember all the valuable input we received.

This weeks master classes were led by (forgive the lack of accents, too lazy!) Maestro Pedro Barrientos of Spain, Maestro Luis Giron May, and Maestro Enrique Patron de Rueda (conductor for last year's Aida, and next year's Faust). Pedro is a very talented teacher and technician, and I worked with him daily throughout the week. The other two Maestros are fantastic coaches and brought their charges to new levels of artistry. BTW Maestro means teacher, but is an appropriate term for addressing a music conductor or advanced coach. Although I sang primmarily from Pedro, I was honored to have M. Giron sit in on several of my sessions and offer highly valuable advice and input, including telling my husband that he has nice teeth- a very talkative but delightful man with an infectious laugh!

I wound up singing Che faro, and beautiful as it is, I have decided I am announcing a sabbatical from this song. Seriously people, I'm gonna start kicking puppies if I have to sing it again soon. Nevertheless, this was the finest performance I have given of that particular aria (and trust me I have given a lot of them) I got very positive response from the Maestros, except that they wanted me in a more Divalicious dress, but hell, I can buy a new dress, can't buy a new voice, so I would rather they like that part!

In other news, Elgin OPERA will soon be back at Villa Verone in Elgin for the Festival of Singers on Sunday nights. Anyone who wants to sing send me a message! We alway welcome new friends, and although the lineup is decided by our fab accompanist, I can point you in the right direction.

Cheers!