News & Views

Baritone Roderick WIlliams shares six steps to help learning a role

Audition OracleWed 9 Oct 2024 @ 12:55

Need help learning a role?

International baritone Roderick WIlliams shares "six little steps to help learning a role".

 

Rodderick Williams - Baritone 

Photograph by Theo Williams

 

1. Explore the source

When possible, enjoy exploring the source novel/story/poem although bear in mind what changes 'opera-fication’ make on the original. What you learn in terms of back story may or may not be useful in creating your operatic character.

 

2. Pay attention to ALL the text

Especially when working in a foreign language (and apart from all the language coaching you may require to sing the role) it’s worth paying attention not only to what your character says, but what others say to you. It avoids your having to stare blankly whenever someone else is singing to you!

 

3. Discover or create your character's backstory

Bearing thoughts 1) and 2) in mind, comb the libretto for any mentions of your character outside your scenes. How do other characters relate to you? Any clues you might find in the libretto to flesh out your back-story will be useful in giving your characterisation depth. And when there are few or no clues, then let your imagination run wild!

 

4. Can you relate to, or understand your character?

It’s easiest to base a character on yourself. Even when playing over-dramatic monsters (and there are a few of them in opera!), whether you like the character you are playing or not, for it to ring true, you need to try to find a way in. Perhaps you can ask yourself, "what choice would I have made in this situation?".  And when that choice is different, try to understand what it is about your character that causes them to turn in their direction. And on some level, you have to try to invest in that choice.

 

5. Give your work a test run

Some people learn operatic roles by themselves, others do a lot of work with singing teachers, opera repetiteurs and language coaches. I find it’s really useful at some point before formal rehearsals begin to sing your role through to somebody. It could be someone with operatic experience who can give you advice from a position of knowledge, but it could be someone who gives you an instinctive response. Can they hear your text clearly? Does your emotional journey ring true?

 

6. Observing other interpretations

Audio and video sources are a very useful tool. It is fascinating to observe how singers, both famous and relatively unknown, have tackled a role and how hugely varied stage directors' responses can be.  When possible, exploring many different versions can help you work out how you want to express the role yourself, stealing the best ideas and rejecting aspects you don’t like. If you have a favourite recording, by all means use that in your learning process but know when it is time to leave it behind. It can be weirdly useful to find details in even the best performances when you think, I’d do that differently. Always go back to the score as your ultimate source and see if you can make what the composer and librettist have written work for you.

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Member Spotlight: Julia Portela Piñón - Mezzo-soprano

Audition OracleThu 3 Oct 2024 @ 13:43

This week we welcome Spanish-Argentinian mezzo-soprano Julia Portela Piñón our latest Member Spotlight. 

Julia Portela Piñón - Mezzo soprano  

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

Versatile and resilient.
 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

I'm a big cinephile and a passionate polyglot.
 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

Performing the alto solo in the touring staged production of Mozart's Requiem with Jazzart and Phoenix Dance Theatres directed by Dane Hurst and conducted by Bernhard Gueller at the Artscape Opera House, Cape Town, South Africa.
 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

Rosina at the Metropolitan Opera House.
 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

The freedom we can find in each performance and role.
 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Believe more in yourself, you are worth it.
 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Resilience, Freedom, Personality.
 

8. Where can our community support you next?

I'd like to share about being recently selected as a semi-finalist for the upcoming 3rd Hans Staud Musikpreis in Vienna, which will be held from the 23rd till the 27th of November!
 
Keep in touch with all Julia Portela Piñón's news, visit her website and Audition Oracle Profile.
 
We absolutely love getting to know our community through these interviews and are delighted so many of you would like to appear. As the audition season ramps up Member Spotlight will take a little pause. Have no fear! it's been such a hit with you our members and followers, we will be back! 

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Member Spotlight: Bruno Almeida - Tenor

Audition OracleMon 30 Sep 2024 @ 16:09

This week's spotlight welcomes Portuguese tenor Bruno Almeida

Bruno Almeida - Tenor

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

My first musical experiences were in traditional music (Portuguese and Latin-American). I think that specific circumstance shaped me as an emotional and versatile artist. Notwithstanding, this versatility is accompanied by a big curiosity and respect for the characteristics of all the musical genres and periods that I regularly get to perform.

 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

I practice a martial art. Breathing, movement, body structure are key elements of my training; I believe that these aspects are crucial in the career of a performer. Other than that, I was trained as a researcher in history of science which gave me skills that I consider having a positive impact in many stages of the study of a musical score.

 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

For all its intensity and challenges imposed - both on artistic and personal levels - the process of preparing and performing the lead role in "The Phantom of the Opera" (Lloyd Webber).

 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

Performing the role of Orfeo, in the opera by Monteverdi, with Jordi Savall conducting.

 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

The research and the study of musical and performance aspects of a composition. The experience of the human emotions involved in all the phases of the artistic process, that is, during the study, the work with colleagues, and also during the performance, while sharing music with the public.

 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Work with more focus and intensity, trust yourself and don't stress too much.

 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Passion, Musicality, Honesty.

 

8. Where can our community support you next?

In October I'll start collaborating with a group called "The Italian Tenors". Until the end of the year, we will be touring the Baltic countries and Australia, performing well known classics of Italian music, from pop and traditional songs to opera arias. The first concerts of the Baltic Tour are in Estonia, for tickets visit https://www.piletilevi.ee/eng/tickets/the-italian-tenors-viva-la-vita-87472/

Also in October I'm performing Jean Valjean in a short version of "Les Misérables", included in a concert of tribute to the music of Claude-Michel Schönberg. https://coliseumicaelense.pt/eventsposts/les-miserables-in-concert-banda-fundacao-brasileira/ Other than that, I also have other projects developing for 2025, in opera and recital. 

 

Keep up up to date with all Bruno's news on both his website and his Audition Oracle Profile page.

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Member Spotlight: Luke Terence Scott - baritone

Audition OracleWed 25 Sep 2024 @ 17:25

This week's member spotlight is the delightful Scottish/British baritone Luke Terence Scott!

 
Luke Terence Scott - Baritone 

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

I am an honest, open-hearted and silliness lover. Regardless of the music or topic, I give myself to it.  
 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

On top of gym training, I love to explore language. As a Scot who came from the rolling hills of the Clyde river valley. Learning languages like German & Finnish has opened so many doors and therefore, I have a goal of being a polyglot even though that's a rather steep hill to climb aha!
 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

In May of this year, I performed a solo concert with the Lohja City Orchestra in their Lohja City Orchestra's Friends 'Omenankukkien aikaan' concert series. Not only was it a privilege to debut with the orchestra but to be the first foreign artist in the series and marking its 25th anniversary was an honour. As a Scotsman who has made Finland his home, to be welcomed by the orchestra and perform both Scottish & Finnish songs will be a memory I cherish forever.
 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

I have always been entranced by the role of Onegin in Eugene Onegin. Therefore I'm manifesting treading the floorboards of a stage and glancing out into the darkness, feeling the warmth of the stage lights and then being bathed in the glorious music of Tchaikovsky.
 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

I love to embrace the fragility of singing, invoking the music and its emotional content with my voice. By doing so I can create a moment, a connection with myself and the audience.
 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

"Dare to believe more in the path you have set yourself, unashamedly express yourself when performing and further deepen the trust in your work."
 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Believe, Trust and Try
 

8. Where can our followers see you next?

Debuting with the Finnish Chamber Orchestra later this year performing an iconic baritone song cycle. My house debut with the Finnish National Opera (https://oopperabaletti.fi/en/) in March 2025, I will be performing the role of 'Mr. Pilkington' in the Finnish premiere of Animal Farm by Alexander Raskatov.

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Member Spotlight: Rebekka Magomedova - Pianist

Audition OracleThu 19 Sep 2024 @ 9:15

 

This week we are thrilled to welcome our first Member Spotlight pianist -Ukranian Rebekka Magomedova!

 
Rebekka Magomedova - Pianist

Rebekka Magomedova: "I have a Russian background and left because of the war. My mother is Ukrainian and so am Ukrainian on my birth certificate."

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

Experienced collaborative pianist, répétiteur
 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

Learning languages and writing posts for my telegram channel for opera singers and pianists
 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

Working as resident pianist at Theodore Currentzis opera conducting masterclasses and accompanying singers at XVI Tchaikovsky competition.
 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

Venue doesn’t matter. I would like to find like-minded musicians in the UK and collaborate with them.
 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

Music is a spiritual universe that you will never fully explore.
 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Life is a game. Be like a child and don't hesitate.
 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Immersion. Mindfulness. Creativity.
 

8. Upcoming performances:

We are planning to hold a concert in London dedicated to the vocal works of Georgy Sviridov, together with my husband, baritone Efim Zavallny. Information about the date and venue will be announced soon. For further information, please see https://auditionoracle.com/singer/rebekka_magomedova/

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