The Mind and the Body

I've been thinking about performing--there are so many approaches to take as one prepares for a performance.  I teach the students here to GOTE their characters (Goals, Obstacles, Tactics, Expectations) and we work on the personal/mind connection with the character's circumstances to find motivation.  This is very successful for many performers.  I heard an interview with the great Natalie Dessay (who I will see tomorrow as Violetta in a live broadcast to a Saint Paul movie theatre) and she basically said who cares what the character is thinking and why they are doing what they do.  The audience must SEE those things.  Her approach is entirely physical.  And she is a stunning performer.  She relies heavily on her director to help her realize her physical characterization and if you've seen her perform hearing her say these things comes as no surprise.

We work on the physicalization to some degree in opera workshop, but perhaps that is what we should take on in the fall's OW.  I always have a theme for each semester--last fall we did American opera, the year before we did Magic and Mystery, before that Bel Canto, etc.  It is a fantastic way to teach students of opera literature and history that they don't know much about.  I was also thinking French opera, but those two actually would have a natural affinity to be approached together.

The performers we saw in NY clearly varied in their approach to presenting themselves and their character.  Some clearly put the voice first, some have deeply psychological interpretations, and still others are so physically connected to singing and performance. And of course, many performers do more than one--this is an oversimplification.  But one thing I need to remember is to work more specifically with students so they can figure out what acting approach works best for them.

Paul Appleby sticks out in my mind as someone what has a pretty amazing combination of all three.  He really is one of the best performers I've ever had the privilege to hear in recital.

But, as always, there is no one right answer.
Mitra