OOOPS ! We lost an hour.......

You'd think I'ye been on earth long enough not to be affected by the summertime change of timing, but it feels as though I've lost a whole nights' sleep and the ensuing day has been completely out of sync. - it's all in the mind you know ! If only the mind was in good working order..... The same with singing - you need to let go of intellect and BREATHE naturally for the voice to work NATURALLY !!! That sounds like an obvious remark, but it's more tricky than one realises to stop thinking that singing is as easy as just talking .....it really is, and if we "overtalk" it's tooooo much. Then we come to enunciation - why do we overexaggerate our speech mode to sing ? "HaaaLLoooowww, hooouuuoooooooow aaaaaaaaaare yoooooooooooooooooouw " instead of "Hallo, how are you? ". Know what I mean...?? My time here in Stockholm is almost finished (aaaaaah) and I return to England on the 2nd. of April - only to be whisked off to Paris on the 4th. April to breathe with Rosalind Plowright, the distinguished English singer, in a Dallapiccolo piece at the Palais Garnier - quite a contrast to Anna Larsson in her extraordinary Orphee, and Goran in his embryonic "Poet" - who knows where they will go from here, all avenues are open - toi, toi, toi to both.... variety IS the spice of life ...I'm gonna miss them and their gorgeous boys, Axel and August xxxx- not forgetting Mussi, the happy hund x!
The bones in my left cheek are responding much better in finding my "ping" again, and it all feels much more secure now - I can go on to new sensations and help others with theirs! The most encouraging development on this visit has been the excitement of Anna and Goran moving into new areas of phonation - the less they do the more spectacular are the results, and it is quite frustrating to other singers who can't undrestand how they do it - it's just - MAGIC - TOLD YOU SO - NA NA NANA NA....Yes, I know I'm a boring cow ---- moooooooooo - ! Have fun and k..p b.......n xxx

New opera - "The Poet and the Prophetess " - fabulous !!

Well, well- brrrrrrr ! Anna (L) and I duly arrived in Umea to a much cooler temperature than we left in Stockholm, but we were well prepared and wrapped up warmly - much snow is still about, especially in large heaps, dumped everywhere by snow ploughs over the past few months, resulting in muddy, naturally sculpted abstracts ... fascinating... the which word aptly describes the magnificent production of Mats Larsson Gothe's new creation as above - it really was a great surprise to find such a wonderful production of a new piece, brilliantly staged and executed with total dedication by the entire company - and I mean everybody in the building ! There was such an air of excited anticipation and we were not disappointed. On the contrary, Magnus Aspegren, (a long time aquaitance from Stockholm Opera Hogskolan) directs a company that is the envy of many much larger cities worldwide - congratulations on your inspirational artistic achievements Magnus ! How wonderful to discover this fine presentation on top (almost) of the world. You can read much more about our evening in the national press, or on line, suffice it to say that the ensemble was lead by the exciting, radiant voiced tenor, Goran Eliasson, his phrasing, colouring and beautifully timbred voice lifted one - Oh, how refreshing to hear such a perfect interpretation of the poet, vocally and histrionically convincing. He is perfectly matched by Elisabeth Strid, the soprano with a glorious, warm voice - why haven't we heard more of them before this - maybe this will be the beginning of a new era of bel canto, as opposed to "can belto" .....The entire cast and orchestra are thoroughly supportive and make this a rare treat... much of this due to the choristers with their slighly differing styles from either side of the equator - the refined European school, and those open throated, vibrant voices from South Africa - extraordinry contrast and equally pleasing. The dancers are to die for - ZAP..WHAM.. WOWEEE - how Mats Ek and Ana Laguno wolud like them , I certainly did ....my feet were itching to join in - some hope with my maturity !! All in all, a most inspiring evening. If you can, make the effort to support this inspiring evening - or go to Cape Town in September (I think). Spring has finally arrived "back at the ranch" here in S'holm - picnic in brilliant sunshine out in the garden with lovely neighbours - birds warbling away, children giggling and playing... peace ond serenity.....k..p b.......g...Happy spring...

Going up north in Sweden....Goran ELIASSON !!

Tomorrow is Gorans' premiere in Umea - I mentioned it in a previous blog, but didn't report that in the Stockholm press his name was misquoted as Goran Eriksson - tush, tush - almost as bad as my wayward keyboard fingers..... Anna (Larsson) and I will go there tomorrow - the farthest north I have ever been in the world, the land of the midnight sun, and Father Christmas - sounds like a very romantic place and I'm looking forward to it...One of the joys of being a guest in their happy, comfortable home is having fun with the boys - Axel and August - it takes years off one to romp around and enjoy their frolics ! Yes, the inner child is still very much alive with all of us in this household, even when we are dog tired, such a blessing. Yesterday I walked in the woods, by the seashore, in glorious sunshine, with Anna and Mussi, their friendly little dachshund, (and managed to avoid slipping on the icy paths with the help of Anna) - that was blissful. On many occasions I used my breathing technique to ascend little hillocks and steps - as you go up, breathe in slowly through the nose, then exhale slowly through pursed lips - don't gasp in air through the mouth as you will tire and have a very dry mouth and throat... In England we consider that everyone needs an imaginary "island" to find peace, and they literally have that ! One can understand the serenity of Goran and Anna when they are far from the madding crowd, and hurly burly of show biz !! So, here's to every success for the production .....k..p b.......g Dear Readers....show

Toi, toi, toi Goran (Eliasson) in Umea......

There is an exciting event about to take place in Umea, Sweden, at Norrlands Operan - a newly written composition by Mats Larsson Gothe - "The Poet and Prophetess", premiere on Saturday 29th. March 2008. The role of the Poet will be created by one of my finest "breathers" - the luscious voiced Goran Eliasson - you will have the opportunity to hear one of the most versatile singers display his finely tuned tenor in a riveting performance - and you ain't heard nothin' yet !!! Supported by a first class cast, with Scandinavian and South African artists, this promises to be a collaboration worth travelling for. I'll tell you no more at the moment - a surprise is not a surprise if you know about it in advance ..... As many of you know, Goran is the husband of Anna Larsson, the outstanding contralto who has just created a sensation in the title role of Orphee at Kungliga Operan, Stockholm - this golden couple are proving that a little light air is the secret to a consummate vocal technique, and it's working fantastically well for both of them !! Yes, of course I'm biased, because I have followed their careers and seen them develop into world class artists - no overnight "flash in the pan wonders" with them, but well paced study, and the desire to reach perfection in their chosen discipline which destiny ordained for them. They have my undying admiration and love, for their tenacity and application. Without them, my little breathing technique would never have been so successful as they encourage others, by example, to give breathing its correct priority in the art of singing - and they are true painters of music for the voice.....So, Dear Readers, and especially if you use the Simsonic brain oxygenating routine - be inspired by Goran and Anna and ....k..p b.......g!

Fascinating contrast ....breathers at different stages.......

Greetings ! On Easter Monday I held a breathing workshop for some gifted young singers in the Larsson/Eliasson studio in Stockholm - and what a treat that was ! All had been recommended to me as interested in finding out the advantages of having a secure breathing technique, BEFORE they embark on concentrated vocal studies. As Anna Larsson, the distinguished contralto, and her equally illustrious tenor husband, Goran Eliasson (in whose studio we were working ) both use the Simsannabim routine so brilliantly, it seemed appropriate to be there! Maybe it's the studio that has some mystic fluence over the participants, because everyone found new sensations in their phonation and produced wonderful voices - miraculous ...! Here's to the next time....congratulations all round.... Tonight I attended the final performance of the Mats Ek directed "Orphee" at Kungliga Operan, Stockholm - with the aforementioned Anna Larsson in the title role, (played as remarkably opposite to her usual glamourous roles) - a tour de force if ever there was one...Her whole portrayal of the character, coupled with that unique voice - Oh, lucky Gluck and Berlioz - there have been few singers with so perfect a voice range for this part, and I have never heard the "J'ai perdu"/"Che Faro" sung with such pathos - there couldn't have been a dry eye in the house......Annas' Euridice was the lovely Lisa Larsson - (no relation), beautiful in every way, and with a bell like quality in the voice - a perfect match. Jeanette Bjorling played the cheeky Amor as a bandage swathed cherub, Egytian mummy style - aided by some nimble dancers who transported her about the stage - very cute !! After such a stimulating experience I will sleep well tonight .....k..p b.......g ....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Three generations ...WOW !!

The service in Brevik church, Lidingö, with the gentle Pergolesi Stabat Mater was very uplifting, and another touching element of that afternoon was being in the presence of three generations from one family - Elisabeth Haglund, the soprano soloist, her Mamma Eva, the inspirational leader at Kulturama - and HER Mamma, a mere ninety eight year young lady ! Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather, and I really felt like a spring chicken ! The Grandma did not show any sign of being more mature than about sixty five - wonderful complexion, terrific poise, charming personality and such an aura - whatever it is that keeps her so, I'd like a large portion of.....God bless you all....
Yesterday I duly attended the performance of "Falstaff" at the Stockholm Royal Operea (my nickname for that establishment ! ) and was treated to one of the most scintillating productions of the piece that I've ever experienced ... and most surprisingly, it was so ENGLISH ! Full of giggles and glee ....Verdi had us "sussed"....Found myself listening to the Italian words, watching the Swedish text - and putting it in to English hoping to improve my understanding of the latter .... we're always being told in England that we only ever use a third of our brain power during our lives, so I think I may be breaking a record...... The staging was such fun, and the singing wholely pleasing - lots of fresh air floating about..... congratulations all round.....Having discovered that my laptop can receive but not send e mails, (lots out there in the ether, as usual), I would like to apologise most sincerely, to those who turned up for a breathing workshop today that has been moved to tomorrow .. please come along and join in the fun, (I'll use the 'phone in future) ... and try to keep cool ....mmmmmm breathe deeply and forgive me...madanna xx

Pergolesi on Lidingo, Stockholm...

You may have wondered where I am with a lot of Swedish references - yes, I AM in Stockholm . Today is Good Friday in the U.K., (alliteration of Godfriday), Long Friday in Sweden, and I was invited to a service in Brevik Church, Lidingo, lead by the Rev. Ingegard Hakanson Nilsson, incorprorating the Pergolesi Stabat Mater - written when he was twenty three years old. Such a tragedy that he died three years later... This is a favourite piece for me, having sung it many times over the years. It never ceases to fill me with the emotion of the occasion, and lifts the spirit beyond the cares of everyday life. As created today, with a double ladies choir from Brevik and Bodals churches... Oh , how delightful to hear such uncomplicated, pure singing, from the heart. The music was directed by an inspiring lady, Ingrid Damstedt Holmberg, who drew such wonderful sounds from the choir, string quintet, and two superb soloists, Elisabeth Haglund, soprano, and Anita Weinius, mezzo-soprano - what a surprise to find such a fine performance almost next door to where I am staying ! Congratulations all round - and no, I didn't hear anyone breathe , I just knew they were breathing because of the quality in the music they made.....Now I can confess that I was in tears many times.. it was so moving, with brilliant spring sunshine blazing in and filling the church with celestial light...
- perfect....One of the most surprising aspects of the afternoon was that the psalm singing, by the whole congregation, was unaccompanied by any instrument - an unknown experience in the U.K......and it was always in tune and time - amazing.....
Tomorrow I go to see Verdi's "Falstaff" at The Stockholm Royal Operea - one of my favourite haunts - as the guest of soprano Hillevi Martinpelto, another "brilliant breather" - the way she "floats" her voice into ravishingly beautiful phrases - I could listen all night and never tire of it ......toi,toi, toi, Hillevi.....here's to your "Marschallin" in "Der Rosenkavalier" sooooon..... keep breathing Dear Readers....be inspired.....