Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Armida in Amsterdam, days 2 and 3

Well, after a rough start, day two was much, much better.  Everyone was really in top form.  The orchestra seems to really like the music which now days is quite rare and they are a really great band.  All singers at the top of their games.  Haydn would be very happy.  Only a couple of concerns about tempos. They were not quite comfortable yet. Mostly with Armida (Meagan Miller) and me.  Let's hope they resolve themselves.  

So, for the novice at this opera thing, or about any singing with orchestra let me explain what I mean by concerns with tempos.  The tempo is the speed at which the piece you are singing goes.  It can change sometimes during the piece but usually, there is a collaboration between the conductor and singer(s) in the first few rehearsals to establish what the speed(s) will be.  This is one of the most important things that happen in the initial rehearsals.  Once the tempos are established, the singers can get the piece into their bodies and can finally get comfortable singing it.  If perhaps the singer (or even and instrumentalist) feels the piece is too fast or too slow, it effects the way they perform the piece. For example, if the tempo is too fast, the singer may not be able to get enough breath in the places they would normally take breaths, and if it is too slow, they will have the opposite problem, not having enough breath to sustain the needed sound and perhaps will need to take too many breaths.  In either case, it can create a psychological barrier and prevent the performer from doing his or her best. When the tempo is right, it is evident immediately and one will sense a sort of freeness in the performer's persona.  But, when wrong, you'll be able to see the performer becoming uncomfortable right before your very eyes.

So, back to day 2, no complaints really except the day ended up being quite long.  We rehearsed with the orchestra from 9:45- 2:15 and then had a break till 7:30 when we had a "recitative" rehearsal with the continuo players.  Another informative factoid: recitatives are the parts between the "arias" and "ensembles" (where the orchestra plays) which are usually accompanied by a "continuo" group that normally consists of a harpsichord and cello.  It is imperative to have rehearsals with this group separate from the orchestra rehearsals in order to work out the timing and intentions of what is being said.  Think theatre dialogue rehearsal but with a melody, rhythms and a harpsichord and cellist to accompany you.  Anyway, it was a long day.

Now, to today's rehearsal...day 3:

We had the other two singers arrive for today's rehearsal; a baritone and soprano who both arrived from Salzburg where they were both involved in a staged production of Armida...convenient, no?  Consequently, a lot of time was spent with them leaving the principals (Armida and I) a bit short-changed today.  We had it in mind to do another "recit" rehearsal this evening, but cancelled it instead due to fatigue on everyone's part. 

So, that leaves us the rest of the day to relax a bit and then pack the bags for our transfer to Amsterdam City Center tomorrow after yet another early morning rehearsal with the orchestra!

I'll be in touch.

All the best,

Greg

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Armida in Amsterdam, day 1

It's a strange life we lead.  Yesterday, on the plane from Newark to Amsterdam, I was told to be on the lookout for my Armida as the administration here said she would be on the same flight.  I thought I spotted her before take-off, but I wasn't about to go asking.  What if it wasn't her?  Then I'd have only about 230 other people to choose from.  Anyway, I spotted her again in baggage claim.  It was a good guess.  After introductions and a reassurance I wasn't a stalker, we ( she, her fiancee and I) shared a car to our hotel.  This is rather normal in this life.  Meeting new people everywhere you go and working together as if you've known each other for years.  In some cases, you have known each other for years and the more I do this, the more times you see the same colleagues, which is really a blessing.  

So, to day 1...rehearsal day 1, that is.

This is always a somewhat tense day.  Especially if you don't know the people you are singing with.  Luckily today, everyone turned out to be quite good.  The only disappointment today was my performance.  It must have been jet-lag or something.  I just wasn't able to concentrate.  Even after three weeks at home of preparation, I felt like I was seeing the music for the first time.  I was embarrassed to say the least.  It's just not like me.  I'm always well prepared.  It's what I do...but not today.

Oh well, onward and upward.

Tomorrow, we begin rehearsals with the orchestra.  And at 9:45, no less.  I am not a morning singer.  

More tomorrow.  Time for bed.

All the best,

Greg

Welcome to "...of Arias and Cabalettas"

Hi everyone.  I'm Gregory Kunde and welcome to my blog "...of arias and Cabalettas".  I've been an opera singer (tenor) for the past 32 years and I've been fortunate to have sung in most of the major cities and theatres in the world.  For those of you not familiar with "arias and cabalettas", those words pretty much describe what I've been doing with my life since I began singing the "bel canto" operas back around 1989.  So, what's that, 20 years ago? Wow, hard to believe it's been that long.  Anyway, arias are the "solo songs" I sing in the operas I do and in most bel canto operas the aria is followed by a cabaletta or a more brisk passage with lots of opportunities to show off your high and fast notes that usually ends in a really long high note.  I thought I'd use the title since when I'm on the road, they're what occupy most of my time.  

I've thought about doing this for a while, so bear with me as I learn how.  Mostly, I'll be talking about everyday stuff, things that we singers do while we are on the road, like rehearse, learn new music, rehearse, call our agents, rehearse, talk to our spouses and kids on Skype, rehearse, eat too much, rehearse, drink too much coffee, and...rehearse some more.  Oh, and then we have our performances, too.  When we get closer to that time, I'll explain more.  It's not a very glamorous life, but it's what we do.  And as I said to one of my colleagues this evening, we are privileged to be able to do it.

Hope you enjoy and I look forward to your comments.

All the best,

Greg Kunde