The Accidental Prima Donna
Singing opera is not for sissies. Take, for example, the opera Tosca by Puccini. This show is filled with opportunities for stage accidents and other disasters. It includes two murder scenes, one with a knife […]
Singing opera is not for sissies. Take, for example, the opera Tosca by Puccini. This show is filled with opportunities for stage accidents and other disasters. It includes two murder scenes, one with a knife […]
A year ago, I did something incredibly stupid. I listened to my wife. More specifically, I agreed to join her and some friends for a night at the opera. Well, I did it again. Right about […]
Mexican Entree CHICKEN FLAUTAS INGREDIENTS 4 chicken breasts 2 garlic cloves 1 small onion 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (4 cups more later) ¼ teaspoon cumin ¼ pound queso fresco or feta cheese ½ cup salsa […]
My wife always complains we don’t do enough things to expand our cultural awareness. Somehow she does not consider The Big Bang Theory enough of an expansion – I keep telling her she’d learn some […]
To Sing or Not to Sing Chances are very good that nobody except your mother wants to hear you sing karaoke. It is best not to sing opera arias during a formal dinner party. Everyone […]
This week, Kathy Minicozzi was my guest on Humoroutcasts Radio. Not only did we talk about her training for the opera and her love of the opera, but she also gave us a sample of […]
Excerpt INTRODUCTION: Singing Opera and Writing Funny I am weird, but not dangerous. Okay, maybe I’m dangerous when I’m on a stepladder trying to install a window shade. Other than that, I […]
Stage Directors The average opera has several principal singers, a few comprimario singers (opera speak for bit players), a chorus and sometimes dancers. Some supernumeraries might also be hired to carry big stuff, sit or […]
Conductor, noun (kǝn dǝk tǝr): A musician who plays no instrument, yet always gets top billing. Train Wreck, noun (trān rek): In ensemble music, the condition that results when one of the players or singers […]
Baritones and Basses Baritones are the sex gods of the opera world.* A baritone voice and hot looks seem to go together. The irony is that baritones, the hottest guys on the opera stage, are […]