Breathing in to the venue...a vital skill...Anna Larsson...,

We live and learn - with any luck !! It only occurred to me recently, whilst at The Royal Opera House, London, with my most experienced and brilliant breather, the fascinating Swedish contralto Anna Larsson, with whom I commenced my Extended Breathing method in 1992, that the Ambience, Accoustic and Architecture of a venue is more crucial to phonation than I'd realised after all these years 'in the biz'!! At The Garden - (Co(n)vent Garden being a most appropriate venue !!) for her debut as 'The Principessa' in 'Suor Angelica', Anna and I 'breathed her voice' and text into those vital elements with perfect synchronisation, the voice displaying every nuance, variable dynamic and emotion written into the score by Puccini...so different from the Teutonic repertoire with which Anna is uusually identified ...brilliant, altogether an impressive Debut, sincere congratulations Anna ...then, a few weeks later, we're in Oxford, for a recital with her well established, masterly and accomplished Duo accompanist, the charming Matti Hirvonen, piano, to make musical magic ...what a sublime experience they created for their doting audience...at The Holywell Music Rooms Concert Hall, the first 'purpose built' edifice in Europe - seating about 300 - depending on the width of spectator posteriors !! The way Anna played with the change of the three 'A's' and her wonderful use of text, with Matti's constant guidance and rhythmic support were perfect - 'en rapporte' - absolutely incredible - and Matti had already played for another singer in a recital earlier in the day ...so we go on, every time finding new sensations..mmmm...here's to our next 'breathe in'..mmmmm...k..p b.......g...