Masterclass

I've just come in from a night at the theatre. A powerful night. I've been to see Masterclass; a play that takes the form of one of Maria Callas' famous masterclasses in New York. Tyne Daly, of Cagney and Lacey fame, was La Divina, and it was a great piece of theatre. Watching Callas work with the young singers, as well as re-live her own glories and failures brought me to a very familiar place. Sat in the stalls, I was in her class, struggling to be perfect for the terrifying Diva in front of me.

The first 'victim' as Callas joked, reminded me of myself so much it took me off guard. There I was, fairly new to the Opera repertoire, singing something out of my reach and nervous as anything. The soprano tonight even sang a piece from La Sonnambula that I have worked on, and struggled with, for some time. Before the girl could even sing one note, Callas had stopped her because she wasn't feeling the music...

**FLASHBACK**
Me, standing in front of my musical guru in the small studio above East Broadway being chastised about not breathing my emotion through the intro and showing what I was feeling in my physicality. I remember watching her in masterclasses show more passion in a 4 bar phrase than most of the students would in an entire aria. It was inspiring, and frightening and something I definitely need to do more often.
For Callas, it was all about the emotion, the story and the art. She made personal connections to the roles she played and gave everything to the audience. When one poor student had the misfortune of saying she was not and actor, just a singer, there was an audible breath throughout the audience as we all waited for Callas' seething reply. It was a very poignant moment.

Here are some things that Callas taught me tonight:
1. The artist gives everything to their audience, not just their voice, but their every emotion
2. Be in the world of the song, and imagine all the details that are left out of the score
3. Singing is hard, it requires many sacrifices, but the journey is worth it
4. Have a look. Something that makes people remember you and helps you stand out
5. Never miss and opportunity to theatricalize

Tonight's experience at the theatre was medicine for my soul. I have been out of the music world for too long. This last year, I have had an amazing time, with many challenges as well as victories, but I have lost sight of the music. I feel strongly that this needed to happen, as I had to take care of myself in other ways, but now its time to reconnect with my heart. Singing uplifts and energizes me. I am never happier, or in more pain, than when I sing, and I can't lock that up in a cupboard, forgotten and ignored. I am not Callas, and will likely never have her renown, but I can find my own path. I just need to listen to the music.