Too many tenors!
Well, no, of course, there’s no such thing as too many tenors, but it’s good to know we have so many high male voices around these days. One from the present (Rolando Villazon) and one from the past (Beniamino Gigli) are featured in Ed Rosen’s recently-debuted podcast, and one for the future is parterre favorite Stephen Costello, who just last night was a first place winner of the George London Foundation competition. Stephen’s performance of “Che gelida manina” suggests that, in his case, the future is very near indeed:
Can you answer my qeustion, marschaillin? I really want to knwo: Who else do you like?
Here’s what I don’t get: The fact that ITCS writes a whole lot – we’ve gone over this. If you don’t like it, skip it. God knows I’ve been enough of a bitch to him, and disagreed with him. Still, he does have interesting points to make. And he makes me think about things musical et al. As long as he is willing to receive criticism and he RESPECTS others opinions (he still seems to be working on that, “Cheryl Studer” case in point), I say please go on.
As far as Marschallin is concerned: laugh everyone. She obviously wants to shock everyone, and you are all feeding into her game by reacting. Let her be a Troll, she is remarkabaly amusing. Let it be and live your lives. Her bitterness and aggressivity is hilarious. Step back and appreciate the humour of her nature. It really is that funny if you go back and read her comments over the past few months. Why take her seriously? Surely she CANNOT be serious in her meanderings!
Yes, yes, however, it would be so much nicer if the chat could be kept at a socially graceful level. Let’s use the screen-names to be funny, creative, clever.. but not as a cover for making derogatory remarks or insulting others.
bravo il tenore di grazia
To those of you who have so politely and eloquently wondered “Where has the Interpolator been recently?”, I must admit that two of the most-proffered reasons are correct. Namely: (1) I have been very busy the past few months with several concerns, both personally and professionally, and (2) I was, indeed, concerned that some of my (more colorful) posts could find themselves plastered all over Lincoln Center Plaza or Place de la Bastille when I happened to be in the cast that day!
At this point, however, I realize that (1) nobody cares THAT much about what I say here in this sacred forum to go to such outlandish trouble, and (2) even IF such a thing happened, it would be a tempest in a teapot of near-zero consequence.
Again, I send my most heartfelt thanks to those of you who (somehow!!??) figured out my personal e-mail address and sent very sweet messages during a recent family difficulty.
And before going further, I admit to being flummoxed by the Marshallin’s insistence that ITDCS and I are the same person. As ITDCS correctly notes above, we’ve been through this before…and we are NOT the same poster. Same voice type, perhaps, but far from the same individual. In fact, I very much enjoy reading ITDCS’s posts — they are quite informative from several perspectives.
Boy, after such a long repast from posting, I feel I have so much dish to unload that I hardly know where to start. I have been so busy singing in various parts of our wonderful world that I confess I haven’t read each and every word of La Cieca’s wonderful board lately.
In fact, let it be known that the Interpolator actually stayed in a hotel abroad last week that (GASP!) had no Internet connection in the room for his laptop!! What to do!? (Well, go to the little Internet cafe down the strasse, naturlich.)
I’d like to take some time and catch up on my Cieca reading, but before I do, please let me say this in response to the recent Voigt bashing:
First, as noted above, she IS a singer of consequence — and I don’t think that is actually in dispute. Even IF one (such as Marshie) doesn’t CARE for her singing, she IS still a singer of consequence. Ms. Voigt has (and will continue to have) her pick of high-profile engagements, with her pick of repertoire, both domestically and abroad, for years to come.
Second, I take grave issue with the Mashie’s assertion that she does not sing well. Although EVERY singer has an off-night (and even singers such as Sutherland, perhaps the most secure vocal technician of the 20th century opera stage, occasionally succombed to some human travail), Ms. Voigt is almost *always* vocally and technically secure in her delivery. She DOES sing well. Within the parameters of the repertoire she sings, she is up against a slew of vocal hurdles night after night after night that most singers simply WON’T face even if they COULD.
Third, Ms. Voigt’s bravery, her personal integrity, her unflagging commitment to being a good colleague, and her desire to uphold the highest vocal and musical standards ALSO contribute to make her a prized singer in the American — and, indeed, world — pantheon of jugend-lyrisches sopranos. Yes, these qualities DO find their way into her actual SINGING — the actual SOUND, the actual PHONATION, the actual aomplitude, pitch, and color produced by her vibrating arytenoids. To say otherwise is either (1) stupid, or (2) willfully uninformed, or (3) born of outrageous jealousy.
Fourth, having been privileged to sing in (at least) two different productions with Ms. Voigt, I can attest to her vocal consistency and commitment across a long run of performances.
Those of you have figured out my identity (or at least *think* you have — ha ha) will probably know that I sang the Italian Tenor in Rosenkav with Ms. Voigt in a typically “high-profile” production. Having sung MANY performances of the Italian Tenor with Ms. Fleming, I was accustomed to a far different approach to Marie-Therese’s music, and I found it relevatory to be onstage with Ms. Voigt as she plumbed yet another facet of the Marshallin’s vocal and temperamental profile.
Yes, she was a WONDERFUL singing actress, and the reviews bear that out. Interestingly, the reviews also mentioned that MY singing of the Italian Tenor’s big aria had a “more refulgent, powerful ring than Mr. Interpolator usually delivers” [translated from the German original]. I know that I can attribute that directly to Ms. Voigt’s singing — because, as we all know, good singing is contagious.
How lucky I have been to sing such a wonderful (and short!) part with two such talented colleagues — who inspired me to experiment a bit vocally mid-career as they did. Of course, the part is so short that some experimentation is not truly dangerous. But again, how lucky I am!!
One evening, I was in the wings (on break from a rehearsal downstairs) watching Ms. Voigt sing Chrysothemis’ big scene from Elektra. When she let loose with “Kinder will ich haben…” and soared up to that B-flat, I almost shat myself.
No matter what your perspective, let this stand as truth beyond reproach: Singing such as THAT she delivered with “Kinder will ich haben…” and the final B-flat of “Pace” as described by ITDCS is indeed rare, exciting, glorious, roof-rattling. moving, exciting…and we are LUCKY to have it.
And if you don’t agree, then I dare you to try it yourself and see how you fare.
– The Interpolator
!!INTERPOLATOR!!
Glad to have you back man!
Without giving too much away, I just want to say I’m SO very sorry. (and I’ll leave it at that!)
We’ve missed you very much.
Alright, I guess I’m totally out on a limb. Every time I think I know who The Interpolator is, he says something to show me wrong. I give up. Not that it matters; it’s just my opera minutia knowledge pride that gets hurt.
Yes, good to have you back. And whatever personal difficulty you endured, you have my sympathy and hope that it all works out alright.
Now the show must go on. Tell us gossip !
Dear Interpolator,
I believe I may know your identity and if you are who I think you are, I am incredibly sorry and will keep you in my prayers…
On a different note, hello everyone! This is my first posting here and I am looking forward to an enjoyable time on this site! The whole ‘blog’ thing is very new to me, as I have just attempted to make one. If anyone has any tips on how exactly to do this, they would be quite welcomed! Thanks again!