Karen Mercedes wrote:
>In the case of opera, the purpose is theatrical - so
>conveying the emotion through one's body and face are not just valid but
>imperative. In the case of sacred music, the purpose is NOT to draw
>attention to or glorify the singer AS SINGER.
Is that the purpose in opera, or any other sort of performance?
> It's for the singer to be a
>vessel through which the message of the text, reinforced by the music, is
>carried.
IMO, that idea can be applied in all performing contexts.
> If, to convey the message, it helps to use some moderate facial
>expressions, certainly one must do so - it's ridiculous to sing "My heart
>ever faithful" by Bach with a scowl, for example, or "He was Despised"
>from MESSIAH with a big grin. But it's just as inappropriate to put on an
>extremely agonized facial expression for the latter, which might be
>perfectly appropriate if one were playing a suffering character in opera,
>but which would be distracting in sacred performance, and worse would
>inappropriately shift the focus from the message/music
>to the singer.
IMO, such a shift would be innappropriate in MOST contexts, including opera.
John Link
http://www.mp3.com/JohnLinkFeldenkrais
http://www.mp3.com/JohnLinkVocalQuintet
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