Video

They ought to be kept short or at a minimum.

Octavian is a very popular role for Mezzo sopranos, and many choose to sing the character's opening aria as an audition piece. It's a highly challenging "Hosenrolle" especially in this aria, "Wie Du Warst." exposing the character in a rather specific setting that calls for highly evolved acting skills. Are you to it? I have already made a video about another of his arias, which you can watch he...

I cannot stress or repeat this often enough in my work with opera singers: Don’t announce what you are doing as you are doing it. Be in the moment of your character. You have to act out what she or he is going through, and you have to do it with nuance and skill. Singing everything aimed over the heads of the audience is NOT performing.

This is the second aria of the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Magic Flute, and arguably the most famous aria ever written for coloratura soprano voice. It’s an awesome piece of musical fireworks and melodrama. This educational video for opera students uses a recording featuring Roberta Peters, under the baton of Karl Böhm, with The Wiener Philharmoniker.

Taking a whimsical cue from Madonna's iconic hit, Vogue, here is a short breakdown of what to do with your eyes, a singer's best secret weapon, when performing an aria in a concert setting. Don't forget to subscribe to me channel!

Many arias have long instrumental interludes, and most singers have a hard time figuring out what to do during those moments. Here is a hint.

Many singers just stare ahead while singing, with their focus vaguely hovering above the audience's heads. But every aria or song offers you multiple opportunities to show a focal complexity that will render your interpretation more dynamic and, thus, more interesting.

In this video I am breaking down the ten points of my "Ease 'n Guard" Method, a method I developed over many years for young singers who want to hone their craft as performers.

Unless they make specific decisions in regards to their posture, gestures, and expressivity, singers in opera and classical music revert to making those involuntary gestures that have become a cliché. Here's how to avoid it. The Ease 'N Guard Method isengart.com

There are different schools in regards to what tools to use as a performer. Some argue that unless you tap into your personal feelings you won't be able to deliver a "truthful" performance. I argue that the stage has no place for being literal in this way. Our job is to use artistry not just in our vocal technique but in our interpretation.

Cherubino is a teenage boy eager to become a man and at long last see his erotic desires fulfilled. Not an easy task when you are at the awkward age where neither body nor mind are coordinated yet and grownup women stil view him like a child..... Maybe reciting his own poetry can help him express that he is ready for love? The recording used for this educational video features the luminous Chri...

Violetta recognizes that life may offer her a chance to change her ways and see her dream of true love fulfilled.. Or is it just mad fantasy? Wouldn't it be better to abandon all morals and continue to pursue a life of heedless pleasure? The recording I am using for this educational clip features Maria Callas, whose intensity matches Violetta's passionate attempt to lie to herself about her tru...

Besides the obvious difference in vocal technique, musical style etc, there is one key factor that distinguishes the performance styl between the two.

"You wanna dance with me?" says Figaro. "I'll teach you how to dance." It's been a while since I made a video analysis of an aria, so here is "Se Vuol Ballare", the famous Cavatina from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. Enjoy! And consider this is you are a baritone and are preparing this aria for an audition.... The recording I used for this demonstration features the incomparable Ildebrando d'Arca...

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