AMAZING ANNA ......LARSSON that is......CONGRATULATIONS ...!! plus BO TOBIASSON AND HIS CHOIR .!!!

Well, here's a thing.....after several years o' puffin' 'n blowin', our Darling Divanna is now a Swedish Court Singer - the equivalent of a British Dame - so I'd better start practising my curtsey I guess.....teasin' teasin' Dear Anna.......our 'air connection' started in .....1992 ...would you believe...?....at The Stockholm Opera High School, when I was invited by the Rector, distinguished Mezzo Soprano Kerstin Meyer, whom I'd met at Glyndebourne Festival Opera Company, to start instilling the use of my 'minimal breathing' routine,...activated by diaphragmatic control, to a bewildered group of young singers. The bewilderment was triggered by my assertion that "less is more effective" airwise, for natural phonation....a view which I still adhere to, and thoroughly believe in...When confronted by a scepticle singer, and challenged thus - "What makes you think you're right about this ?"..."I don't think I'm right.. "..."Yes you DO .!" ..."No, I DON'T think I'm right...I KNOW I'm right !!" ...then can't stop giggling at my incredibly arrogant audacity....but honestly, if I'm NOT right, why are there so many brilliant International singers enjoying so much fun, and illustrious, varied careers, when they 'adopt' the simple exercise routine ?...and why does my instrument still function reasonably well ..'for my age'...te he heee.....na na nana na.....Today I enjoyed attending a rehearsal of the 'Lucia' concert in The Swedish Church, Harcourt St., London, by a Choir from Stockholm, lead by the musically gifted Bo Tobiasson, conductor and singer extraordinaire (Brother of the fabulous Mezzo Soprano Ingrid !!) He drew breathtaking performances from his 'minimally breathing' group of enchanting singers - anyone who knows my 'method' would have been really impressed by their 'walnut' and 'warm the f'inger' expertise ...every piece spellbinding ...and Bosse must be one of the only Choirmasters with such a brilliant vocal ability ..truly uplifting....'Oh Helge Natt'...unbelievably 'moving' ...thankyou all for such a wonderful experience ...enriching the soul....toi toi toi...Happy Christmas and a Peaceful, Harmonious 2011 to you all...and don't forget.. k..p b.......g...mmmmm...with love ..Simsannabim...

The Amazing Plowright Sisters ..Rosalind and Louise.....magical music makers !

The Sisters Plowright are two of the most charismatic, magnetic and brilliantly talented English singers gracing the worlds stages...Rosalind in the Classical genre, and Louise leading in Music Theatre. What an amazing Family to have produced such a "rare pair"!! They have followed parallel careers at the top in their own specialities. Rosalind is 'singing like a dream'...I've been priviliged to hear her many times abroad and in the U.K., most recently in recitals..absolutely wonderful..., and last Christmas she played 'The Mother' in "Hansel and Gretel", at The Metropolitan Opera, New York ...fabulous! Louise has been charming audiences with some fine characterisations, most impressively in the original London West End Production of "Mamma Mia", first as 'Tanya', and then 'Donna' ..incredible.....last week I joined Rosalind at Chichester Festival Theatre where Louise is 'knockin' 'em cold' as "Maggie" in "42nd. Street", fleet of foot, dancing and singing ..absolutely enchanting... yet another 'tour de force' ..please let it transfer into London as so many Chichester 'hits' do ...I was Proporty Manager at C.F.T.in the 1970's ...halcyon days ..and they continue with such spectacular productions as "42nd. Street"....I wish Rosalind and Louise continuing success ..and 'my Dream' is to have them on the same stage/screen/dvd's..whatever... for the pleasure of all to enjoy these enigmatic Ladies ...toi toi toi to you both...and don't forget to k..p b.......g all my Dear Readers...with love ...Simsannabim !!

Hello again...I'm back in the U.K. for the summer....

Dear Readers, my absence has been mainly due to being abroad, and not travelling my Mac Book; although I have internet connection in my iphone, it's rather expensive to surf, etc., when in foreign parts..so apologies for 'disappearing'. I've been having a whale of a time with magical breathers in Stockholm, including promising young singers with the Eliasson 'Future Stars' Project, plus Established International Stars in Salzburg and Zurich. A new 'string to my bow', or should it be 'new sensation to my ear' - is breathing with musicians from some of the most prestigious London Orchestras, and a wonderful session at The Royal College of Music, London - in the - wait for it - no, not singing - the Woodwind Dept.! Fascinating, exhilerating, such talented students, under the stimulating and enlightened lead of Simon Channing, and David Badger ... now I look forward to regular breathing sessions there in the new Academic Year..intriguing..this has all come about because brilliant breathers - Rosalind Plowright, O.B.E., for instance, who sang magnificently two cameo roles in Martineau's "Juliette" at The Barbican with The BBC Symphony Orchestra... the players realised that Rosalind is not only charismatic in performance, but endowed with fabulous breathing ...so now I'm having fun with members of the R.P.O., L.P.O., L.S.O and many freelance wonderful musicians... another singer who is reaching new heights is the charismatic, delightful Swedish/Swiss soprano Lisa Larsson - see - lisalarsson.info - and enjoy her reviews for concerts on her Southern Sweden Tour ..magical music maker....having found my computer fingers again, I'll try to keep you informed of developments..in the mean time, have fun, enjoy the summer and k..p b.......g....

Remarkable Rosalind Plowright, O.B.E...Newbury Spring Festival 2010

Rarely does one have the opportunity of enjoying a live recital with one of the world's most charismatic artistes, creating an evening of sheer, brilliant musical magic...just such an evening was presented to a truly awestruck audience in the Long Gallery of Englefield House, Berkshire, home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Benyon, an elegant Elisabethan E Plan house, dating from the mid-16th. Century, a romantic venue...The capacity audience were treated by the distinguished mezzo soprano Rosalind Plowright, O.B.E., stunningly beautiful in elegant gowns, a truly International Diva - to a feast of euphonious sounds, delivered effortlessly, with incredible variety - dignity, finesse, emotions and dynamics such as I've never experienced in one evening.. This was a memorable occasion of pure creational genius, absolutely breathtaking, by a singer, currently unequalled...In a wonderful range of items icluding lieder and opera, she fascinated us with a very subtle programme, from Gluck, through the centuries to Weill and Britten, ranging from the sublime to the hysterical !!! We were at times weeping - then at once, laughing hilariously..never a dull moment. Accompanying Rosalind brilliantly at the piano, was her equally musically gifted accompanist Phillip Mountford..they are 'as one', a perfect combination - breathing life into their partnership uniquely ...what a joy to experience an evening with such a charming Duo .. congratulations to Rosalind and Phillip for delighting and enchanting us so perfectly...sincerely wishing you both the very best of luck in all your ventures...and don't forget everyone, to k..p b.......g....

General Election 2010. Yes - Let's breathe ...phew...! Now for a change...

Greetings from a strangely calm England...with the 'hung Parliament' status outcome of the long awaited General Election, the nation is in a state of 'holding its breath' - waiting for positive results which may, hopefully, release us from the 'doldrums' which have had us in their grip over the past few years, mainly due to the greed and mis-management of the Government....it is my understanding that Britain was in dire deficite PRIOR to the International financial crisis....that simply gave G. Brown a useful 'let out' from his disastrous fiscal borrowings, and general spendthrift in his early years of Chancellorship - i.e.- selling of 75% of the gold reserves, appropriating billions out of National Pensions, all paid in in good faith by the workers in their years of employment ....tut, tut, subsequently a lot of pathetic, hypocritial bleating of late from Ministers, about the sad plight of.....pensioners ...oh dear, what ever happened to the duty of Parliamentarians to 'serve the people' - modern "'self-service" is now 'the norm' in The Houses of Parliament it seems.... .My pension, TAXED - has been 'frozen' whilst the ghastly collection of 'free loaders' in The House, become richer and more callous, as witnessed in personal interviews on t.v. ....breathtaking audacity ..... Maybe the forced collaboration between parties will resolve some of the problems with paying off our astronomical National Debt... how about the banks helping ease the flow of cash to small businesses, the basis of local prosperity in 'normal' times...it has to be wise to encourage any wealth creating enterprise to stay in the U.K. as they help to fund a Social budget - if no one is earning and paying taxes, National and Health Insurance - the whole system is - bankrupt- and we all starve...I guess Dignitas in Zurich will be the most popular destination for many, with the incidence of life threatening illness due to stress....hmmmm....all very depressing...but..my Devoted Breathers....chin up, boobs up...nice deep breath...watch a fun film...sing along with "Mamma Mia"...and let's put HOPE back on the agenda - "Hope springs eternal in the savage breast"...and I'm feeling quite savage at the moment ...te hee heeee ! See some of you in Stockholm sooooon..'til then ..k..p b.......g....

Breathe to 'sing'......remember - "Less Is More".....

This week I met a new 'breather', anxious to know what "Less is More" refers to - and can I demonstrate it? Well - Yes, it's very simple, but as with all things simple, rather tricky to explain...and often elusive to the impatient explorer, especially if they've spent years with 'singing teachers' encouraging them to take a deep breath in through the mouth, and "PUSH Darling!"... and WHAAAT..?? Death to natural phonation...mmm, but it keeps many medical practitioners happily employed chopping bits and pieces - polyps, nodules - basically 'corns' on the vocal folds - etc...Very lucrative business...mmmm. I was horrified by a singer in Sweden who announced that it was usual for singers to experience the aforementioned conditions, being inevitable - and NORMAL - simply because she had suffered such self inflicted injuries 'several times' - what UTTER RUBBISH !!!...not sure is she is still 'in the business', a miracle if so.... The secret of 'singing' is not to 'sing'...! What the heck am I talking about...? As a student at the now defunct, London Opera Centre, I was blessed by the good fortune of meeting and becoming a friend of the most influential singer of my life, the adorable, generous, vivacious and genius talented New Zealander Kiri - te Kanawa. What an amazing stroke of fate.... We've had so much fun over the years, although our paths went their different ways, and the reason for bringing her into the picture is that her attitude to singing has influenced me more than I realised, until I started helping other singers 're - train' their voices when they'd 'lost their way' vocally. I've found myself advising them what Kiri told me all those memorably happy years ago...When I remarked that I could always understand her words when she sang, she replied "Anna, I never 'sing' , I just talk on musical notes " - simple as that !! I've never seen her use the 'hippopotamus mouth' method thankfully.. Sometimes, if the singer has a sense of humour, I vow to park my car in that vast apperture which is their mouth ....and I discovered with my limited lung capacity after a fire accident, that the less air pressure you create under the larynx, the more effective and easy is is to 'talk on a musical note'....I recently wrote to Kiri, treadin' the boards' entertainingly in the cameo role of 'The Duchess of Krackenthorp" - (Wooow - that hat !!) in 'La Fille du Regimant' at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, that HER advice has been the secret of MY - success with so many 'breathers' over the years...teasin', teasin' ....thanks a bunch Magical Maori Maiden...So, if you wanna know how to control your air flow minimally ..let me know and we'll have some fun...it's great for all, not just singers....k..p b.......g...and warm..

Breathing a la "Simsannabim" is at The Metropolitan Opera, New York ....WOW !!!

Hello Dear Readers - 'The proof of the voice is in the breathing' - vis a vis = 'The proof of the pudding is in the eating'.....for many years I've enlightened some hundreds of willing human beings, from all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds, faiths, professions, etc....the common link - simply - BREATHING ....yes, as simple as that ! Many cynics have declared that my interest and application to the subject is a joke "After all, everyone can breathe" they usually say..."Ah yes, but it's the 'quality' of your breathing that is paramount" I reply...Then usually ensues a debate as to how one can quantify 'the quality of natural respiration' ...and unless the sceptic has well connected inspiration, they are usually surprised - should they then try my little 'inspirational' excercises, at their benefit, almost immediately...It takes about two years for anyone who has not trained their breathing for some specific motive - dance, sport, singing...etc., to fully co-ordinate the respiratory system to maximum effeciency = "less is more". That is fairly general - the longer project, which can take years, is to re-train the natural respiratory function for those who constantly OVERBREATHE - most of my time is taken up with this particular malfunction...especially with singers and musicians...the good news is that several of my brilliant breathers without these problems have made it to The Met...all female ! When I manage to train and persuade the average male singer of the 'Less is More' attitude, they are not terribly happy to discover that they don't have to push and shove their voice, and feel pain in the throat - !! I'm chuckling at this - one sweet man, who sang fabulously after about three years of 'goat bleating' - suddenly let out his gorgeous 'natural' voice. When I complimented him he was so angry " You mean I've spent all this time for you to show me how I sang before I was trained by a singing teacher"...enough said...So, it's great to report that Erika Sunnegardh has sung 'Turandot' in the hallowed New York house of opera, Rosalind Plowright, O.B.E., who has been a regular at The Met over her entire career, amazingly sang 'The Mother' in 'Hansel and Gretel' in the 2009 Christmas season, breathing and singing immaculately !! Another very successful soprano, Nina Stemme with whom I worked in the 90's in Stockholm and uses the technique, is about to continue her association there as 'Ariadne auf Naxos'...and last Saturday Adrianne Pieczonka, the impressive Canadian soprano, sang 'Amelia' in the matinee premiere performance of 'Simon Boccanegra', with Placido Domingo - it was broadcast 'live' on BBC 3 - fabulous....later, in the evening performance - on the same stage, my 'voice idol', from whom I learned by association almost all I know about singing, the ikonic, brilliant, adorable Dame Kiri (te Kanawa), played the speaking role of 'The Duchess of Krackenthorp' in 'La Fille du Regiment' - what a coup !! We can hear it 'live' this Saturday 13th. Feb. 2010 at 18.00 on the same programme relay...not to be missed...yeah, yeah,yeah ! I know several other Annabreathers who are booked for some really exciting dates, but not released yet ..mmmm...and watch out for the gorgeous Natasha Sutton-Williams, cross-over contralto, MOST exciting potential, so delightfully young .WOOW... and k..p b.......g....

Eliasson "Future Stars" - Concert in Stockholm - 16/01/10 18.00 Grunewaldsalen, Stockholm

The good news is that if you are in Stockholm on the above date, you can have the pleasure of enjoying a concert given by the extremely exciting new group of young singers who are in the "Future Stars" Programme of Eliasson Artists Management, brainchild of the distinguished tenor Goran Eliasson, and Anna Larsson, the ikonic contralto, who are training and inspiring this talented group. I have had the pleasure of joining Anna and Matthias Bohm, the eminent accompanist and coach, in Masterclasses in Stockholm - so much talent, and really awakening the 'ART of SINGING' to audiences hungry for the new 'sounds of music' - mmmmm -- (amazing what a little air can do when fully synchronised with the body)....It is my great good fortune to be part of a growing concern Internationally by some other very fine artists - Dame Kiri te Kanawa and her Foundation in New Zealand, successfully and generously supporting gifted young singers from the Pacific area, (type in - anna sims breathing on Google), and Rosalind Plowright, O.B.E., in the U.K.. Incredibly she has just returned from New York where she made a major contribution to the success of "Hansel and Gretel" at The Metropolitan Opera, playing the role of "The Mother". Rosalind has been a brilliant singer in the world's operatic life for some thirty five years - and is still in great voice - and going strong !!! Fantastic....You can see her in Google at - Rosalind Plowright.com - check down to item - Rosalind Plowright Classical Singing Lesson and minimasterclass ... At present I am isolated by the heavy snowfall which, typically, has almost 'shut down' the U.K., and the cold spell is expected to continue indefinitely...never fear, I have enough fuel and food to survive a couple of months!! Survival is basic to anyone who was brought up in a wartime situation, cupboards full of dried, preserved, and tinned foods..mmmm..think I'll go and make some nice, nourishing soup...'bye for now - k..p b.......g...and warmly wrapped up...