On Creating Vocal Images

Dear friends! This video is called On Creating Vocal Images. Don’t underestimate the importance of this topic if you want to sing both beautifully and properly.

All students at Scuola di canto necessarily study the role and the image they are going to reproduce as a preliminary stage of attempting an operatic aria. Composers prepared everything for you long ago: they made up a libretto with all descriptions and explanations. Read them carefully from beginning to end. Actors call this getting into character, which is impossible without understanding the plot and overall idea of the work in question.
Without a proper understanding Lauretta, the main female character in the opera Gianni Schicchi, dies every time she performs the world-famous aria "O mio babbino caro". A young and beautiful girl who is blissfully happy and head over heels in love is sometimes shown as a tragic character on the verge of committing suicide. It goes without saying that such an interpretation flatly contradicts the synopsis and idea of the opera, and arises from the lack of knowledge and attention. Another example of misinterpretation in singing is often found in the Snow Maiden aria performed by negligent singers. Instead of a pure and fragile young girl with a silvery voice, the main heroine is sometimes portrayed as a robust and vigorous woman ready to overcome any obstacle that comes her way. Signing in tune is not enough when it comes to performing arias. This is the reason why my students always analyze the character and the plot in great detail following the dramatic structure of the work. Otherwise learning arias makes no sense!
Dear vocalists! The right notes and breathing are not enough to sing well. The character and the image are of no less importance. Without a proper understanding, your singing will be shallow and soulless like that of a robot.