However, before we start – the fine print. All photos, except for the top one, are courtesy of Joyce DiDonato.
So the fall is coming (What? there will be days when it’s not gonna be 98 F?!! Seriously?)
and it’s about time I start planning my next Opera Appreciation Seminar.
Per my students’ request, I decided to devote the fall seminar to (for once!!!) a happy opera. Some thorough thinking and picking later, my choice fell on an opera that has a very special significance to me personally and will always have a huge place in my heart. Il Barbiere di Siviglia , my friends. Il Barbiere…my first live opera!
Even though I know no better Count Almaviva than Juan Diego Florez, and no better Rosina than Joyce DiDonato, I have to consider the specifics of my audience. My students are seniors, conservative and somewhat nostalgic about the days when opera “ was not as crazy as it is now” and had “real scenery” and “real costumes”.
With that in mind and a very deep sigh, I left both the Met and the Covent Garden Barbiere’s standing on the shelf and decided to play it
safe by choosing the famous 40-year-old Ponnelle’s version, starring Prey, Berganza and Alva.
Then (is that perfect timing or what?) Joyce DiDonato, who, as most of you know, just completed that same production run at La Scala , published this amazing blog post with pictures of people-free set and most importantly, Rosina’s room where she had to spend some time during Act 1. If you remember, Rosina spends most of Act 1 up in her room, answering Almaviva’s serenade from there, and talking to Doctor Bartolo from the balcony. I have to admit, I never thought that artists have more than a chair to sit in, while singing off-stage. Turns out, I was all wrong. Opera goes far beyond the stage and visible scenery is as important as invisible one. For an artist to perform his/her best, they need to be in it the whole time– does not matter where they physically are.
As you all see, the room is fully furnished and decorated. How many of you could imagine that?
When getting ready for my seminars, I always compile a handout with important dates, facts and pictures, something that my students can sort of “hold on to”, take home with them and look at later. This time, however, I was thinking about compiling a little Rossini booklet. It’s Rossini for goodness sake – what a character! What a life!
So I dared write to Joyce and ask for her permission to use her unique photos for my booklet. Joyce replied with this very nice e-mail that I would like to share with you all. I feel truly honored to have heard those wonderful words of encouragement and inspiration from the best Rosina of our time! Also, do not forget to click on that link and listen to the song. It’s hilarious – enjoy! Have a very nice weekend, you all!
Dear Raisa!
I hope you don't mind my writing you directly, but I thought maybe it's better to respond to your post privately. You are MORE than welcome to use the photos - I love that you are teaching the class, and surely you are bringing a world of enjoyment to many people that might not be as "mobile" as they once were, so you bring the world to them. That's lovely.
Yes, please use them with my greetings to the students, and have fun with it!!!
By the way, you might enjoy to play a bit with the tune of Figaro's Aria - just to give them all a laugh. It's addictive, however, so consider yourself warned!!!
It's a song by Louis Prima, called "The bigger the figure" and it's, well, it's delightful! Here's a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYF-oV-2myc
In the meantime, thanks for your support and take good care!
Cheers,
joyce
6 comments:
OK! First you review an opera, and they offer you an interview with the lead. Then you publish the interview and the review in TOI.
Then you make a discovery: Andre Rieu is following you on Twitter!!! ( I am still having a hard time getting over that one!)
A minute later you think about your fall opera class and get the nicest letter from Joyce DiDonato, praising you for what you do!
What's next? You are making us all terribly jealous!!!!!
Seriously speaking,you are a social network genius or something, and I am so proud of you!
You live the dream, girl!
Maybe I should start a blog and a twitter account?...
Ellen B.
Joyce DiDonato actually WROTE to you???!!!
I had an impression she never writes back. She did not reply to any of my comments as far as I remember.
That's a real shocker, gal!
S
Bravo on your marvelous efforts! Our Opera 101 adult ed class which we adored, was unfortunately canceled this year as it did not make "enough" money. We met our dear teacher at Tanglewood and commisurated togaether.
Your blog is delightful Joyce is truly the American Diva - far better than overrated Renee.
Keep up the great work.
Dear Friends:
As always, thank you for your comments and compliments - I am very flattered.
Ellen, something else is actually "brewing" at the moment, but I do not want to give it away -just yet.
I think you should definitely start a blog. It's addictive, but also very rewarding. You get to share your thoughts and find people who think just like you, or not - but that's the fun of it.
Once you feel comfortable with and committed to it, join Twitter. It's quite a different world and is surely an adventure.
Good luck with either or both and let me know about the progress.
Howard, so sorry to hear about your canceled class - I would be very upset too.
Could not agree more about Joyce - she is the real diva, because besides her incredible artistic talent, she also has the talent of being a wonderful person. To me, a "People's Diva' is someone who stands among people and reaches out to them, which is exactly what she does and does so wonderfully.
Hi everyone:
The previous comment is mine - I just forgot to sign in!!!
Ohmygoodness. I love that video. I'm sharing it everywhere!
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