Blog The First:
For the past two weeks I've been between performances of "Semele" at New York City Opera and rehearsals of "L'Assedio di Corinto" with the Baltimore Opera. It's the first time I sing two operas (comprising three roles and two genders! I play two women, Ino and Juno in "Semele", and a man, Neocle, in "L'Assedio") so I hadn't wanted to blog about it before seeing if it were really possible to do! I've seen a lot of singers who don't think twice about accepting to rehearse something on the West Coast while still in performances somewhere on the East Coast, but I've never done it and was a bit reticent about actually giving it a try. Both shows are new for me, and it does take some concentration to switch between one and the other, but I think the fact that they are so different from one another has probably made things easier. If I were switching off between two Rossini operas, for example, I'd probably be in trouble! Rossini's mezzo arias very often start off with the same two chord introduction, so I can see myself standing blankly center-stage thinking, "Ummmm... which aria was this, again?"
I'm also glad I'm able to travel by train between the two cities. If I'd had to fly it definitely would have been more challenging, given the added time one needs to add for security screening at airports these days. Besides that, I find it always takes me a day to recover from the dry air on board, so my singing voice fresh off a plane is not something I want to subject any audience to! The train has been extremely comfortable, and I couldn't believe they actually had porters at Penn Station to help with luggage! I've basically given up on trains in Europe because in traveling for 3 months at a time like I do, it has proven impossible to bring less than two large (overpacked) suitcases of stuff, and getting all of that on an off a train by one's self is just not an option. I love trains, so it's been fun to be able to use them again.
I now have one last show at City Opera, which I will miss very much, and then it's off to Baltimore to become ensconced in "L'Assedio"!
Click here to return to VivicaGenaux.com
posted by Frogge at
5:49 AM
8 Comments:
I was fascinated by 'La tarantula e un bicho mu malo', from 'La Tempranica' the way you performed it at the Nights Opera, with the Gurzenich Orchestra in 2005. I was fortunate enough to see it on Classic Arts Showcase.
What a charming song, I had never heard it before.
You have a special charisma for spanish song, reminiscent of Victoria de los Angeles, equally as wonderful.
Es que hablas el idioma? Que bien lo cantas, nina!
Cheers.
Mario.
By
Anonymous, at 8:39 PM
Todavía no hablo español, pero estoy aprendiendo! I love the zarzuelas, and grew up listening to a recording of Victoria de los Angeles singing some of the most popular, including the aria from "La Tempranica".
I just did a group of zarzuela songs at a recital in Malaga a couple of months ago, and it was a thrill to sing these in front of an Andalusian public!
Glad you enjoy, and I hope to do more of this rep in the future!
Vivica
By
Frogge, at 5:15 AM
That's funny. Victoria de los Angeles, according to my research, was known as a soprano throughout most of her career, sang in the mezzo register up until her last days. I read that she retained a beautiful voice always.
Yet, the richness of her voice always made me think her tones were warm and mezzo in some pleasant way. I guess she always had a very wide vocal range and could color the repertoire according to its requirements.
I will never forget one of her early recordings of popular French and Spanish songs, on the Angel label I think, in which she sang 'Les Filles de Cadiz'.
Oh my God, it has never left me. I continue to hum her rendition of it to this day. What an experience, ageless.
You have besides a great gift, an exquisite good taste: Victoria of the Angels. Truly heavenly.
Cheers.
By
Anonymous, at 7:56 AM
It is 4 am on Dec 7th... last evening I saw you in Dallas singing Rosina.... I have been a subscriber of the Dallas Opera for over 25 years, and this performance certainly ranks in the top 4-5 most enjoyable performances that I can remember. Great stage presence, good acting and fine singers made it a memorable evening for me and my companion.
Bill in Dallas
By
Anonymous, at 1:05 AM
Hi Vivica!
Just heard your new CD, great!
See you next week in Paris...
Bacioni,
Jérémie
By
Anonymous, at 1:14 PM
Hello Vivica,
I discovered you on Stage singing Bradamante in Paris. And then I bought some of your cd's (Rinaldo, Arias for Farinelli, La Santissima Trinita, Bajazet...) I had the chance to see you in Montpellier singing Irene. OMG, it was even more fascinating than on cd. So I get the last one and bought my ticket for the TCE on next Monday.
So like Jérémie, let me say "See you next week in Paris"
Raphaël
By
Anonymous, at 7:42 AM
Very best wishes and congratulations on receiving the 48th Annual Grammy award on the Best Opera Recording, with Bajazet on the Virgin label.
I think I recognize who Jeremy and Raphaël
might be, whom I greatly admire too for their exquisite musical taste...
Very, very nice.
Merry Christmas season to all.
By
Anonymous, at 7:54 AM
Hi Vivica,
I am a good friend of maestro Fabio Biondi, and I enjoyed so much hearing you rehearsing and performing with him and Europa Galante, here in Parma and around the world.
Last time we met, regrettably a long time ago, was in Vienna, having breakfast before the rehearsal of Bajazet at the Konzerthaus up there, last January.
Since the weather was freezing (far below 0°C), we were talking about your birthplace Fairbanks - Alaska: I must be the only italian who spent his honeymoon there, instead of the other way around!
Well, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your video interview; so, everybody who doesn't konw you personally has the chance to realize how much there's in you, beyond your perfect voice and unbelievable technique.
Brava Vivica (once more!), I can't wait to hear you again live, possibly with Fabio.
Merry Christmas, and take care.
Antonio
By
Anonymous, at 9:01 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home