Sunday
15Feb2009
Audio update, "Deh vieni non tardar," January 24, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 2:18PM 
I've been sick this week and my vocal cords have been swollen from coughing. Since I haven't been able to sing, I took the time to edit an audio clip from a recent lesson. Here are the last few phrases of "Deh vieni non tardar."
AUDIO UPDATE: Excerpt from "Deh vieni non tardar," (Susanna) from Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro
The end of this aria is especially difficult for me. High notes are particularly challenging, and the high A in this section comes towards the end of a long phrase that transverses over an octave (see excerpt below).
With this in mind, here's a list of things I'd like to improve in this portion of the aria:
- keep sound in consistently forward place
- lengthen laryngeal column for high A
- keep ribcage expanded and maintain strong breath support and high soft palette towards end of phrase (after high A)
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Reader Comments (2)
Hi Catherine,
Wonderful site, thanks for the beautiful and varied content: very informative and refreshing!
Even as a flute player, I get a sense of what you are describing as goals in your phrasing here in this particular post.
In a recent post on Urban Flute Project I kinda massacre Faure's Automne as I sight read it in a forgivingly echo-ey subway stairwell, but obviously have come to love the evocative setting of this moody poetry...do you happen to have a favourite recording of Automne? My impression is that singers take it a little fast, and definitely tend to use too much vibrato.
I would welcome a reply, but mostly wanted to say thanks for your wonderful work here!
Perhaps you might consider posting your own 'definitive' interpretation of this piece and post it on your site...you know, once your sinuses clear up!?
Cheers,
J
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for your kind comments. It's always great to hear from people who appreciate (or even just read!) my blog. I'm not familiar with the piece you mention (Faure's "Automne"), and there don't seem to be many recordings of it out there. However, I can certainly recommend some of the singers who have recorded the piece.
Elly Ameling - Fauré - Mélodies
Ameling is one of the truly great singers of song. (Believe it or not, some singers do better with the drama of opera than with simpler forms like art songs.) Her recording is a bit expensive, but it's bound to be good.
Barbara Hendricks - Gabriel Fauré: Mélodies
Barbara Hendricks has a lovely lyric voice (ideal for French song). Her recording seems to be out of print, but you can find used CDs online.
Sarah Walker - Fauré: Chansons, Vol. 1
Mezzo-soprano Sarah Walker's recording of Faure songs got an excellent review from Gramophone magazine, so I'm sure it'd be worth a listen. Again, it may be difficult to find.
I hope that's helpful! Your blog looks great, by the way. I love the design, and your photos are awesome. I'm looking forward to reading some more on it.
Best wishes,
Catherine