'The Summer Season' (social) is well under way - glorious Ascot today...(and Cardiff Comp. just gone..)

Yes, it's here again, the heady celebration of brilliant riding by expert jockeys on magnificently trained and groomed horses - ooooh, how mellifluously they cover the turf, and with the skill of their rider realising their potential - one winner aptly named "The Art of Timing". A lesson with parallels in life... How often the timing is anything but right, and we're left 'with egg on our face' - you know what I mean...? One trainer was being urged by the interviewer to enter their winning horse in a certain prestigious race, but the trainer said, quite positively, that it would be much too soon for that filly....oh, for such wisdom.....The main competition of the day seemed to be off the racecourse, between the ladies sporting the most amazing and beautiful outfits. Black and white are still favourite colours, and soft dove grey, much the same as depicted in the classic scene in "My Fair Lady" - but no shortage of every colour of the rainbow - all the best couturiere were well represented; I was really envious of some of the ensembles, but pacified myself with the knowledge that I'm a liiiitle past such elegance..mmmm......vital stats. originally 34/24/36 ...long gone...now English pear shape has overtaken the frame - he he hee....at least my calves (legs below the knees) - are still fairly shapely - ha ha ha... Next we have Wimbledon, Henley Regatta, and Glyndebourne all summer...Which brings me to singing and opera. The Cardiff Singer of the World Competition last week produced a very promising, very young Italian tenor - 21 (!) year old Giordano Luca, built like Caruso, with the same 'square' head - and such a wonderful, unspoiled naturally produced voice. (He was supported by an entourage of eleven coaches, family, etc.. such style...) Glory be - no 'hippotamus mouth' or over exaggerated expressions; exciting dynamics and phrasing.... bliss - simply 'talking' magically - I really wanted to huuug him...he is of course inexperienced with repertoire, and for him, the timing into a major International career is a tad too soon....he was awarded the Audience Prize - votes from the general public, and one can only hope he will keep out of the clutches of unscrupulous agents and managements.....The singer awarded top prize was a soprano whom the judges seemed to favour, a bit of a shrieker in the top register - it worried me. My choice was a 36 year old baritone, miles ahead of the rest in presentation and vocal security, plus beautiful voice, but then, I like musical, artistic voices...I'm a bit old fashioned in my taste....I'm all in favour of the movement 'For Real Singing' .....ah me.. may I live long enough to see it re-instated.....'hope springs eternal in the savage breast'...thus saying , I'll growl away....he he heee...please k..p b.......g......XXX

Roses, roses - everywhere roses - and Redoubtable Ronnie !

Yes, it's flaming June and the proliferation of roses here is more magnificent than ever...and oh, the heady fragrances, quite intoxicating without the unpleasant after effects of alcohol....in my little garden there is a simple single briar rose, and several other varieties, progressing to a magnificent hybrid - which I bought unlabelled at a charity garden sale. In our local garden centre it has been identified as "The Spirit of Freedom", (very apt for me) a triple petalled beauty with very attractive perfume...mmm. The blooms keep bursting forth, almost like a fountain of rich dusty pink froth !! Wild flowers are overtaking all the grass verges alongside our highways; dandelions, then buttercups, cowslips and now, Michaelmas daisies - never a dull moment - what's next I wonder, can't remember the annual sequence - and it happens every year...tut,tut, ancient brain grinding to a halt! Te hee hee...Recently I made a lovely new friend, a charming and very special gentleman who has been inspiring singers Internationally for some years as a repetiteur, coach and accompanist - the inimitable Herr Ronald Schneider, affectionately known as Ronnie by all his talented devotees. 'Redoubtable' in reference to Ronnie = "Inspiring, or worthy of awe, or reverence", and yes, he really is he exactly that, such spirituality, and an absolute darling. We have been orbiting the earth on opposite sides for yonks, and Heavenly Hillevi (Martinpelto), has been trying to introduce us for years. At last the momentous meeting has been achieved - at a luncheon date in The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London - and we had some fun with dear Richard Hetherington - repetiteur, coach and conductor with The Royal Opera Company - he and Ronnie go back to meeting as collaborating colleagues at The Aix en Provence Festival, with Peter Mattei, Melanie Diener and several other distinguished singers I've breathed with. Ronnie has been associated with opera in Vienna and worldwide - I'm still learning about his distinguished career on a daily basis - staggering ! One of the most fascinating aspects of this new alliance, is that Ronnie has a house which is only about 20 miles (English) from my birthplace in Hampshire - incredible don't ya think....The circle is growing and becoming more exciting by the minute...lucky, lucky meeee..sorry I've been globetrotting frantically all spring and not in Stockholm for a while.. credit crunch is still crunching..! I miss you all, but am resting awhile and enjoying being at home...until then, k..p b.......g and be happy....see you anon...

Kristina Hammarstrom at the Barbican, London - WOOOW !!!

Kristina and I go back quite a way. We started breathing together in the early 90's, and we've had a lot of fun since then. Much of her technique, b-b-b's, doggy panting, walnuts(!) etc., especially the brilliant coloratura, was developed when she was invited by Kiri (te K ) to stay in her garden cottage with me - I was 'being useful', driving, restoring antiques, and shopping for Kiri when she returned to the U.K. after a stint as Principal Soprano at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, U.S.A. I had taken early retirement from The Performing Arts Dept. at the University of Birmingham, where I was The Studio Controller.. Last Sunday Kristina 'jumped in' at very short notice to sing "Teseo" in "Arianna in Creto", Handel's little known score, wonderful writing, and almost impossible floridity - happily 'right up Kristina's street' as we put it ..I have never heard anyone achieve so many brilliant notes in such a short time - the audience was electrified by her performance and their ecstatic cheering almost 'took the roof off' - as only a London audience can..standing ovation at the finale! At rehearsal, Christopher Hogwood the conductor, couldn't believe his luck when Kristina agreed to lightning speeds - all very normal for her, but a surprise to the orchestra - they did manage to keep up with her..tee hee hee I had taken a young soprano along - Cheryl Coutinho , potential spinto. "How does Kristina do that?" she asked. "With great skill, application and dermination - not to mention 'attitude'!" Congratulations Kristina - please do 'jump in as often as possible - come along 'in your own right' even...so, to all of you ...k..p b.......g ....

At last - my Mecca - Salzburg on a clear day...!

For as long as I can remember, since first hearing the genius music composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, I've been wanting to visit 'his' enchanted city. Many times I was invited to be part of the summer festival, but always an offer from Glyndebourne or some other illustrious festival was confirmed first. So, in my dotage - I've made it - at last ! My first venture to Salzburg was last Christmas, with my Goddaughter Celeste, whilst visting her in Munich - another fascinating city, and we travelled on the excellent Bayerische train inexpensively - a terrific service, with observation type carriages. Trouble was that then it was very overcast and wet, so we didn't see a lot, and I began to think the mountains didn't actually exist - couldn't even see the fortress which dominates the Salzburg skyline - pretty scary place now that I've witnessed it ...My hostess on this occasion was Rosa-Maria Reisinger, a free spirit of a Lady, and very creative artistically - her speciality is angels made of Tiffany class, with crystal heads, wonderful with the light illuminating the beautiful colours of the glass..Rosa-Maria is also an official guide for The Sound of Music Tour ! So of course, the first thing I did, having arrived late on 31/03/04, was to join her at 08.30 on the first of April for the tour, as the guest of her 'boss' Evi... We were joined by a group of English and American tourists - seating capacity on R-M's mini-bus 8 persons, so it was a real opportunity to unite nationalities, and it did ! We all had a great time - and Rosa-Maria must be the finest guide in the city, she was so entertaining and gave us insights into the filming of ' The S. of M,' explaining some of the Hollywood myths ...you'll have to take the tour to find out for yourself, I can give you the 'phone number ....he he hee. Halfway through the tour my mobile ('phone) rang - 'twas the Awesome Anna (Larsson) to invite Rosa-Maria and I to the General Rehearsal of Wagners' "Siegfried" in which she was singing "Erda" with The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Until that moment I hadn't realised it was on that day - at 3 p.m. - you know what singers are like with dates, etc,!?! Rosa - Maria quickly 'phoned her boss to request the afternoon off, and a few minutes later it was confirmed, another driver having been found for the next tour ...phew. We changed, and had a quick lunch, arrived at the Festival Hall with a few minutes to spare, and were treated to 5 hours of a fairly un-adulterated production of "Siegfried" - modern clothes, much cheaper than designer costumes - but I do find it irritating that the surtitles don't match the sung text..I mean, Brunnhilde was wearing a midi - jacket and modern evening dress when her attire is claimed to be - 'a metal breastplate and helmet' - she was not even wearing a hat - and was lying on three saloon type, gilt framed chairs with red velvet seats, and a token small shield lying alongside her - not on a rock ..hmm...Never mind, I've not seen the Woodbird scenes so charmingly played...a beautiful white 'puppet' dove, wheeling, gliding and hovering over Siegfried...Unfortunately, the only voice which was not appropriate to the piece was that of a very shrill (unseen) soprano Woodbird...ouch...Oh for a lyrical Lisa Larsson...Otherwise the cast was exemplary, and Anna gave yet another wonderful rendering of Erda, with Sir Willard White as her excellent Wotan. I had the opportunity to catch up with one of my colleagues from 'way back' ...almost forty years (!) Sir Simon Rattle, conductor - and a more recent 'breather' Katarina Dalayman, an excellent Brunnhilde - much huggin' 'n kissin' all round.. After that, Rosa-Maria and I went 10 pin bowling - with her boss Evi, as arranged before we knew about Siegfried rehearsal...by this time I was a little weary, but not wanting to miss the fun - the only problem was that the bowling ball is rather heavy, and my finger kept being trapped in the hole - couldn't let go - hysterics all round - what a memorable day....mmmm.. so, Dear Friends ...keep breathing...and try the fresh air of Salzburg sometime ....

Stockholm - Hooray, hooray - it's " K te K day" ..!!

Yes, all being well, "The Magical Maori Maiden" is with you today at the Konserthuset, in Hortorget - where last week your delightful Swedish soprano Lisa Larsson, charmed us with her gorgeous, youthful 'Marzellina' in the 'Fidelio' concert. I always tease her that she is in good company on You Tube, 'sandwiched' between videos of Kiri - now they will have shared the same platform ..nice one !! Having previously spent some wonderful hours with my first Swedish 'breathing convert' and treasured friend, the amazing Anna Larsson, contralto extraordinaire, and some of her promising and talented young singers, walking in the woods with Mussi, the cuddly dachshund - blissful, heaven on earth, I left Stockholm extremely tired, but totally inspired by the progress of all my devoted breathers...You really brought the spring to life for me. My first meeting with K te K was in 1967 (!) when we were students at The London Opera Centre, a 1930's cinema, converted to a rehearsal space for The Royal Opera Company, in the East End of London. All the International singers of that period rehearsed there on a daily basis, before moving in to the opera house at Covent Garden. So, as students, we queued for meals with Placido (who always kissed ones' hand - so romantic and dreamlike .) Domingo, Joan Sutherland, Birgit Nilsson, James Mc. Cracken - it was a bit like a singers Valhalla !! What I recall most vividly was how kind and generous they were towards we 'greenhorns' - no airs and graces which one might have expected, very modest and human, human beings.. As one commented 'I am always aware that I'm very fortunate to have been blessed with my abilities, it doesn't make me any better than anyone else, just luckier'...so enjoy the experience of being in the same orbit as a living legend, Dearest Kiri - may she inspire you to greater heights in whatever you wish to achieve, she has enchanted us worldwide for half a century and still has the 'inner child' wide awake - ah meee..what a miracle ...toi toi toi Kiri ...I'll be with you all in spirit - and breathin' along...don't you forget to k..p b.......g in all the excitement...'bye, 'bye ... love from Simsibimsi....

Mmmm dreary weather...no wonder Scandinavians are depreesed by it ..

The snow is slowly thawing away her, rendering the streets and pavements lethal under foot and tyre...Because there has not been such a severe winter for eighteen years, the powers that be have not understood that nature is unpredictable - although the weather forecasting agency spends billions a year trying to let us know what to expect. For me, asking an old fisherman, holding his finger out in the wind, or a farmer chewing a straw, usually produces the most accurate assessment ! Modern times....hmmmm.. Today, 09/02/09 Berko was shrouded with dense fog to make it all the more dreary, and I was feeling a little despondent, when the lovely, Remarkable Rosalind (Plowright) called and sounded very lively - which cheered me up immensely - and I obviously sounded 'chirpy' to Ros - 'You always sound as if you're jumping up and down like an electric spark ' she said gleefully !! How wonderful -and I do know that my sparks are of the positive variety, only subdued by negativity, from which I shrink for fear it 'fuses' me - he he hee....Problem is that my very positivity, overenthusiasm and 'jolly hockey sticks' Englishness frightens people to death - well, almost - so keep away from me if you don't want a shock...!! and be prepared to laugh a lot... Rosalind is in the process of rehearsing for a concert of 'Adriana Lecouvrer' with Nellie Miriciou in the title role - wooow, two great Divi - that should prove a performance not to be missed ... I will attend rehearsals, as usual. No point training a person if you don't hear the result....and with Rosalind it's staggeringly impressive....
Always so rewarding being with consmmate artists, and so inspiring. It's quite strange, and I've always experienced it - the result of a production I've created, or an artefact or stage property I've made. When I see it after completion, I sometimes think 'Oh, this is good - I wonder who did it ?...' That's what comes of being a mad cow I suppose .....moooo!! This must equate with the sensations of the performing artist - whilst you're in a character mode - it is not oneself, but the person one is portraying - does anyone else have this experience ? I can never understand why anyone is scared by a conductor - musical, not bus - although some of the maestro whose 'baton I have been under' might well be superior in the latter category......Now that I'm at home for a while, I shall enjoy breathers coming to me here in the Chiltern Hills ......nice.....peaceful.....k..p b.......g...and warm...

The younger generation of singers....catch them in time ...

When I first started 'helping' singers with my quirky (as one 'singing teacher' labelled it ..!) Extended Breathing and Vocal Focus routine, it was found to be most beneficial to more experienced singers, actors, and members of the general public with respiratory and phonation problems, who'd been referred to me by physicians. It all started when I made a remarkable recovery after a devastating fire accident, which 'kippered' my lungs. My instinct invented exercises and procedures which eventually restored the semblance of a lifegiving breathing system - which was great, because that's how I learned the simple process of respiration and I've never looked back !! Over the years I've had some wonderful moments of sheer magic when helping a person enjoy an enhanced quality of life, especially with the voice...whatever their occupation or profession. Much more frequently now, I'm approached by the younger generation who've heard the results of 'Simsonic Ping' and are eager to discover it's secrets....well, there are no secrets to it, just a careful connection and synchronisation of air and body - simple as that - and there's the rub. The most difficult thing to explain is - simplicity - ever tried it ..? Eleanor (Hemmens) a dedicated undergraduate at The University of London, reading English, attended a Master Class given by Rosalind (Plowright) at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and as some of you regular bloggers will know, was the 'baby ' of the class - deemed too young by some members of staff, but Rosalind took her on, sensing a latent talent. We've been breathing regularly since then and Ellie has just been cast as 'Belinda' in Purcell's 'Dido and Aeneas', promoted by the music dept.. O.K.? The irony is that Ellie, and the ' Dido', are the only un-trained (or as I see it, unpolluted by 'singing teachers') members of the cast - naughty, naughty Sims.... if you took my hint and viewed Emma (Grimsley) yesterday on You Tube you may agree with me..? Congratulations Ellie, I wish you every success, you truly deserve it for your application, determination and inspiration - my breathers always inspire me - the feeling is mutual. In Stockholm recently, Anna 'la la ' Larsson, winner of the Swedish Opera Magazine 'Artist of the Year 2008', and I enjoyed a very happy, fun session showing Beatrice Orler, a gifted young singer studying at Kulturama, that unconventional "Palace of Creativity" (my title for Eva Haglund's domain) where Anna regularly gives Master Classes - I repeat - 'Catch them in time' and so, k..p b.......g and warm.....