Monday, January 14, 2013

Day 12: Three kinds of singing: Musical Theater, Folk Song, and Aria


   Kathy Reed here, reporting as the other Listening Live instructor.  The students have just handed in a writing assignment and we had a busy day today, so I'll take my turn at tonight's blog.
   After class this morning, we headed back to the Queens Theatre where we saw Les Mis,  this time for an informal discussion with Adam Searles, a singer/actor who played the role of Gavroche in the show for many years.  He told us about his training and experiences in theatre and TV, and most recently, in the new film of Les Mis.  He had some entertaining stories to tell, and good insight into what it is to pursue this kind of career. 
   From there, we went across town to the Cecil Sharpe House, the home of the English Folk Song and Dance Society.  Here, we had a workshop with the English folksinger Lisa Knapp; she gave us some background on folk song in general, and on the English collectors of folk songs, and best of all, she taught us several songs.  Needless to say, she was impressed with the voices in this group, and the ability to harmonize on the spot.  We have a new favorite, a "Wassail" song that warmed and energized us on this cold, rainy/snowy day.
   Finally, tonight we went to Wigmore Hall for a recital of Italian songs and arias.  After an initial disappointment at learning that the scheduled tenor was indisposed, we quickly fell in love with Antonio Siragusa, a charismatic and brilliant Italian tenor, with high C's to die for.  It was all the more impressive to learn that he had just sung a leading role at the Vienna State Opera last night, traveled to London to stand in for this concert, arriving at 4:30 for a one-hour rehearsal with the pianist, with whom he had never performed before.  Amazing.   Tomorrow he flies to Japan before returning to complete his run in Vienna.  Our own Braun Oldenkamp was drafted to bring the performers flowers at the curtain call, and he did so with aplomb.   
   I find myself looking forward to class each day with this group of students.  There are some distinctive personalities, and our discussions are thoughtful and engaged.  What a privilege it is to teach this course.



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