JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Microphone and Vocalist Forum "Bel Canto" vocal training

Hi everyone... I have some strange news. Funny how shifts in direction can just POUNCE on you sometimes... and today I have been pounced on. In a good but totally unexpected way.

I have to get to my rehearsal so I have to be quick. More later.

I went to this vocal studio today and had a WONDERFUL time meeting the owner, even though I learned (as I suspected) that while my voice is OK I "have no idea how to use it." (Actually he said, "you have an excellent voice," which I am still processing, because he's been teaching 50+ years...)

Anyway. He talked about Bel Canto, and Caruso, and opera, and how the Seattle Opera laments the fact they cannot find singers to do the Mozart, Puccini etc "lyric operas" anymore... they just don't exist. Yet, his students can sing them - and he showed me these exquisite examples... his students are absolutely stunning, and at ages of 17-24. I was deeply moved. (For some idea of what this sounds like, look up Montserrat Caballe' - she is wonderful, and my first exposure to this type of sound. It is VERY different from the "opera" sound probably playing in your head.)

He said most people "don't like opera" because they have never heard it as it SHOULD be sung. If this is any example - he is 100% right.

Today as I've been cleaning house & all that, it hit me on the head like a hammer that THIS is what I want to do with my voice. I want to learn how to sing this breathtaking Mozart I heard today.

BOY is that going to take a LOT of work, time, MONEY, work work and more work. But I had more FUN working to find my actual diaphragm (LOL!!) this morning - I was totally energized.

I can't describe this feeling very well except to say it feels like I've discovered my purpose, found my calling... those sorts of phrases are not too big. I'm overwhelmed completely.

But yeah. I want it.
I never ever ever in my life thought the words "I want to be an opera singer" would ever ever EVER come out of my mouth. I'd have laughed you out of the park yesterday if you told me so.

But it feels like someone just hit the tuning fork, and all of my being is resonating with this incredible, magnificent, amazing and beautiful thing.

Thanks for listening, guys - and yes I can take it if y'all laugh a little - either at or with me.
You're great support.

Linda