Like I told you folks recently, I have been invited to be a part of the opera diploma program for the next two years. This week I had my audition. I was well prepared, and it went like a charm. I had my 3 opera arias and 2 art songs all nice and set. I started with my short French aria, then Donna asked for my German Aria, which also went very well indeed, and then she chuckled and asked for the last part of my long French aria, because it ends on a really high note for a Bass. It went REALLY well. We both laughed, because she gave me an image to help me hit that note with no trouble at all, and it helps me every time I sing that piece. For the musicians among you, though you are small in number, this last piece is “Scintille, diamant” from Offenbach’s Les contes d’hoffman. It ends on a high a-flat (according to the key signature it is really a g-sharp…same thing only different). A picky detail about the audition is that the woman who played for me is the wife of my voice teacher!
So, Tuesday I received the email that informed me that I was indeed accepted, and was awarded a $10,000 scholarship! Now all I have to do is come up with a $500 deposit to assure my place is saved for this fall. At this point, that is more than I make in a month, but I am hopeful that, with Masses I am supposed to get, I will be able to come up with the money. Wish me luck, one and all!
Meantime, I am trying my best to listen, and follow with a score, to 2 operas a week, minimum! Yeah, well, it hasn’t worked so far, though I did listen to most of one yesterday. To day it is going to be Turandot, Giacometti Puccini. All in the effort to find good songs for basses for me to work on at least a little bit.
Also, this coming week I am auditioning for a couple of solos in the concert with Calliope. One of the pieces we are going to be doing is Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, three of which were on my graduation recital! Crossing my fingers, as there are a couple of other bass/baritones who are also going to be auditioning for them.
Onward and upward we go!!