Masterclass!
Yesterday, I had such an experience! I sang in a masterclass conducted by Hakan Hagegard! Now, this man sings like there is no tomorrow!!! I remember many years ago (1993 in fact), we were in the midst of presenting scenes of operas for our opera workshop at Houghton School of Music in Houghton, NY. My teacher invited the casts over for an after-performance party and to watch the live broadcast of “The Ghosts of Versailles”, by John Corigliano from the Met.
The cast included well-known operatic celebs like Marilyn Horne, Teresa Stratas, Tracy Dahl, Gino Quilico, and, of course, Hakan Hagegard. I remember being transfixed to the tv screen as I listened to Ms. Dahl sing desperately high with such ease, and dreamed of the day when I would meet her in person, and that day came when I went to Winnipeg, and saw her in the flesh, and was told I would be singing in a masterclass with her, and was a total doorknob when she came up to me and introduced herself…I think she thought I was ewither a deranged fan, or just plum crazy! I said, “HHHHHHHAIII!!” with a big grin on my face, and then I began to sing a line from her role as Florestine (the opening line with all the high notes and everything), from which she gave me a look that could have been interpreted as a mixture of her being pleasantly amused, and impressed that I remembered it in such detail, and wanting to make a quick possible quick escape from a desperate fan (*breath!*)!
Anywho, I digress! I have a habit of doing that, don’t I? Anyway, I sat and watched Teresa Stratas outdo herself in the role of Marie Antoinette, and Hakan Hagegard sang Beaumarchais, love interest of Antonia, the ghost of Marie Antoinette. I saw him use so many colours in his voice and never thought I would ever get to meet him in my life…
And here I was, yesterday, singing Lenski’s Aria for him! He gave me some important tools which I am now mulling over, and I think will really help me in the long run. It is along the same lines that my teacher in Winnipeg (Mr. MacSprechenzuviel) and my current teacher have both encouraged in my voice. I love masterclasses because the people who give them (well, this is my experience thus far) have all given me something that even though it may seem small, is making a big difference in my singing over time. He was also very gentle and clear, and I really wish I could have a private lesson with him sometime. Well, know knows what will happen. With God, ALL things are possible!
Quite a lot fo people do come to listen to these masterclasses! Hey! Maybe there was someone there who might want to hire me in the future! I hope so. I am really ready to do some work and earn some money!!!
So then, it is onward and upward from here!
Moi
P.S. I did spot one person in the audience with PIGTAILS (*glee!*)…not that that means anything to me really…for that’s just silly.
that’s great!!
How cool for you! I remember Opera Workshop at good ‘ol Houghton! I was only able to do it one year b/c of schedule. I’m actually using my learned “skills” for the musical I’m currently in. I get to play with people’s faces and sing too! No, I don’t have a leading role (HA!). I’m just in the chorus, but that time committment is big enough. 4 run-throughs this week, 3 next, then we open Thursday and run each night through Sunday!
You’ll be pleased to learn my range has expanded due to the, um, horrifically high range of this arrangement. I told my director about your sick desire to morph me from a LOW Alto, to a soprano! He said he’d like to see me go soprano! What is this? Some kind of twisted conspiracy? What’s wrong with us poor altos!
I think people need to learn to love low female voices (and one of my characters is a RUSSIAN PEASANT WOMAN!!!!!) I chose her persona for the closing sets with you in mind ;)!
Hey Paul,
I needed to do some catch up reading on the blog and found myself desperately entertained.
Saying that, it was a good read and I would highly recommend you compile all these blogs and write a book “The Desperate Diary of a Zwiddling Tenor”.
I think it would sell!!!!