Three down, four to go.

[saxikath]

Well, the first three performances of Yeomen are in the books, and they were very successful. About the only downside was that our audiences were considerably smaller than we would have liked (so everyone come next weekend!).



I'm pleased with how I'm sounding. I was worried at the beginning of rehearsals, because I haven't had voice lessons in well over a year, and I could tell. Back during Anything Goes, I knew I wasn't singing well, and I knew I couldn't get away with it doing Yeomen. The rehearsal period has been good for me, getting back into some better habits. It's not where it was for Pinafore, I don't think, but it's better than I would have expected. My breath line is not what I would like it to be, still; "Rapture, rapture" is frustrating because I feel like I ought to be able to get a better breath line going. But it's getting better.

I need to start taking lessons again. I need the discipline if I'm going to do more of this stuff, and, one hopes, more lead roles. The talent level in this cast is so high that it's making me see all the things in my own performing that I don't like, or don't do right. I don't feel ragged the way I did, but I'm not where I'd like to be, or could be, either.

I do think my acting has improved a lot, though. And Yeomen, with its more well-rounded characters, gives a good chance to work with it.

Comments

[aneequs.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking of you and wondering how it was going! I so wish I could go.

There is nowhere to breathe during "Rapture, rapture." This just might be the reason why you are feeling like you don't have enough breath.

Also, your acting was pretty darn good in Pinafore, imo, even though I agree the role has its issues.

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

Seconds on the Pinafore acting. It's hard to make Buttercup sympathetic without making her either old and crusty or obnoxiously cute. :)

And I know I've told you this, but you're sounding fantastic in Yeomen. The lousy breathing stuff in 'Rapture rapture' is not your fault--it's mostly Sullivan's, and maybe slightly Nina's. :) #3 sounds really great--no offense to the nice lady on the recording or to our previous Dame C, but it's a pleasure to hear it sung by someone with such a good command of passaggio. :) (see, Eileen finally broke me of the habit of calling it 'register breaks'!)

[stevie-stever.livejournal.com]

I'm listening now to the recording (D'Oyly Carte). There are no obvious breathing spots, but for those the singer more or less makes for herself.

I'm pleased with how I'm sounding. I was worried at the beginning of rehearsals, because I haven't had voice lessons in well over a year, and I could tell.

Over a year? You're doing remarkably well, in that case. My last lesson, by contrast, was last Monday or Tuesday. I had been really worried I had forgotten how to be a tenor. :)