> I'm chiming in again on this one - I was appalled as well, in both
> undergrad and grad school at the lack of knowledge, and really, the
> lack of caring, in fellow students about the world of opera and/or
> song. Most students I encountered were unconcerned with anything
> that didn't affect them directly - they didn't know about singers,
> performances, etc. I went to grad school with a girl who had never
> heard of La Traviata! She ended up doing Violetta two years later,
> at the same school..... I never understood this in other students -
> I'd think, it's your major, for God's sake! But to no avail.....
I totally agree, Sarah! I think new voice students should just eat up
all the recordings and videos they can get their hands on. Listen to
all the singers of the past... and today. Tebaldi, Callas, Sutherland,
Bjorling, Corelli, Barbieri, Horne, Merrill, Fleming, Eaglen, Te Kanawa,
Pavarotti, Domingo, Gruberova, Moffo (early), Leontine Price. Know who
Caruso and Ponselle are. Listen not to copy but to absorb. What are
the pros and cons of each singer? What do you like about them? Listen
to all the major operas and read the libretti. Attend live
performances. Go to the opera. Read opera books... Opera 101 is good
for starters.
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