Studying, reading, audition…

Hi there! This week I have been practising audition arias and working on getting a more balanced passaggio and upper register. I have to always re check how I am approaching my middle high and high register… I tend to either go too heady and or too chesty if I do not pay close attention. It is not that I do not hear the difference, but sometimes I loose the balance and if I do not keep a very sharp ear then I go towards any of these to directions. I have the feeling I am not the only going through this as I have spoke recently with colleagues and it is the same for many of us. So this singing learning process and check ups never stop, but I do wonder sometimes if I do explore too much with my voice. Because I believe that through exploring every option of my voice is a way to gain experience and flexibility.

Last week while I was in Italy I started reading again Antonio Juvarra and I find his ideas pretty interesting, I would love to discuss with him certain concepts that I maybe have misunderstood for years or just simply seeing one side of the coin. Not out of curiosity but simply because there are so many elements to singing that it is easy for me to get focus on one thing at the time and loosing sight of other aspects. Through the years I have been getting better at being aware of it but I must admit it is difficult for me, especially because I tend to analyse too much and I think in general too much. I guess that is part of learning the art of singing. I am certain that singing is such a deep understanding of oneself and really holistic.

Practising the arias for auditions I have taken into account what I have learnt from the classes last week with Renato Bruson. Also kept the same feeling of focus. Yesteday I had an audition and while my voice was not completely awake for the audition, I managed to sing well. I would not say it was my best because I heard the recording of it, and there are some places I can normally make a more elegant sound, however I was glad I managed I would say on 80 percent my average level. I am still learning and trying to get better but I am going on a right path.

I keep reading daily to R. Holiday and Tolstoi, plus this week A. Juvarra and R. Muti. I hope you are well and I wish you  stay healthy and see you here next week with another blog.