Things are happening Simsonic breathing - wise....

After so many years instructing a vast number of, mainly singers, to synchronise their breathing and achieve that legendary ability to 'support' the voice, there is a definite sensation that supported breathing is 'taking over ' for many who have persevered with my ' Extended Breathing' technique, the which is entirely beneficial to all professional voice users, and hundreds of patients with respiratory malfunction ...at last ..! That prompts one into thinking maybe I should retire graciously now, and simply enjoy the result - listening to wonderful voices wafting gentle pianissimo, soaring magnificent fortissimo, and languishing in sumptious legato...aaaaah ...such a privilege to have been trusted by so many in the art of singing, especially for those whose original talents and gifts have been perverted by a fee charging opportunist in the guise of 'Singing Teacher'. In 1915 Thomas Beecham wrote in the London Daily Chronicle - " The Tragi-Comedy of English Singing". 'There is one branch of musical art in which there is to be discerned, not only no advance of any kind, but a distinct movement of decline, and the responsibility of blame may fairly be divided between the singers themselves and those to whom has been entrusted the task of their education. We have an enormous number of first rate singing students and yet, with a population of forty six million a selection of the best native vocalists would hardly complete the necessary personnel of a single good opera company. Undoubtedly the main cause is to be found in the deplorable system of training most of them have received, either in the great schools of music, or from private teachers. There can be no question that almost the greatest drawback is the scarcity of good singing masters, the appalling overgrowth of bungling incompetence that dare to imagine that without the smallest qualifications it can mould the most delicately sensitive and beautiful of instruments in the world...' So there you go - not a lot has changed in the interim; many of my contacts , who have spent thousands being 'trained' to sing are thoroughly disappointed after years in various establishments - and go into another business ......The main element missing to my knowledge is the art of breathing....a subject that seems to elude many 'singing teachers' - which is why I am not classified as a singing teacher.......such arrogance, but I am very happy with that ' cause what I do ...works .....na na nana na.....k..p b.......g all my Dear 'believers'...x

Congatulations Anna La La .....

What a way to start the year - Anna (Larsson) has been awarded the honour of recognition for her amazing portrayal of "Orfee", in the Gluck/Berlioz version, produced brilliantly by Mats Ek, the ballet dancer/choreographer at Kungliga Operan Stockholm last year, by The Swedish Opera magazine. Having been privileged to attend rehearsals, and several perrformances, the staging is etched in my memory as one of the most extraordinary events in the operatic world, bar none...let's have more from this creative genius. Who will ever forget the remarkable singing from a contralto with an almighty vocal range - oh , those cadenziii ...and heartbreaking "Che faro"...Even more amazing, the physical fluidity, especially in the scenes with her wonderfully sympatico, and heart renderingly lovely Lisa Larsson; her Euridice really tore at the heart strings, but finally triumphant ! Such a convincing 'couple', it really worked with them histrionically ... congratulations all round....This month I'm hoping to 'catch up' with Anna's 'Dalilah', at Kungliga Operan - another treat for opera lovers - don't miss it .....Let's hope the powers that be are able to record these rare performances for posterity, it's so easy nowadays - just think what has been lost by managements over the years...I guess it all boils down to cost finances, and sponsorship...Perhaps I could persuade B & B to invest some of their 'Mamma Mia' cash into classical music ...?? Their dvd has sold more copies here in the U.K. than any other ever - quite right, I looove it - 'speshly Meryl Streep - 'The Winner takes it all' scene - stupenduos - this IS no end to her talent...It's a bit chilly here. Today we have about one and a half inches of snow - thirty five centimetres - result, chaos on all transport, as usual... With the current financial situation and cost of fuel, we are resorting to wartime measures to heat rooms. One of the most effective is to place a night or tealight in a terra cotta flower pot, and cover it with another upturned pot, slightly smaller - you'd be surprised how well that can stop frost chilling a room...don't forget to light the candle...and be careful with any 'naked' lights - never leave them unattended, or in an empty house .... apart from that the best thing to do is winter abroad! Two of my oldest friends spend two months in Cape town, through December and January - hope you're having fun George and Dottie of Arundel....At the weekend I go to Lisbon, Portugal, and 'have a breathe or two' with the amazing Rosalind (Plowright) , I gather it's a lot warmer there - and oooh, those Portugese custard tarts....mmmm.....almost as scrumptious as Swiss Fondue, savoury or sweet.....and Austrian zachertorte - the bonuses of tripping around the world with wonderful 'breathers' .....I hope to live to a ripe old age if this is how it's going to be...happy days to you all, and don't forget to k..p b.......g .....