The big "O"

Not orgasm, not opera....

The Olympics... now over but in watching quite a few events, I had a few thoughts about the "olympic spirit," American values and even parallels to opera...

First off, I guess it is sad that the last bits of 'amateur' are gone. The constant barrage of endorsements, the behaviour of our two speed skaters and a clown on skis, just seemed to be too much. The behaviour of many of the American athletes really did not put us in the best light.

But one thing that I observed made me wonder about how the approach would work in the opera world. As I watched the final evening of the women's figure skating, I noted that so many seemed to be attempting moves and elements that were beyond them. While their faces betrayed disappointment and the announcers appeared to predict that they'd struggle with those spins/turns, it did not deter them from attempting them. The failure rate in these performances would never fly in the world of opera. Few singers would ever attempt to sing arias or roles knowing full well that they could not at least meet the minimum requirements...to me not falling down is a requirement.

And while I have always looked at operatic singing as a sport in many ways, it is a a sport that has some of the highest bars to reach. Hey, .333 is a great batting average (1 out of 3) in baseball. A 50% completion rate as a quaterback is a good ratio. A figure skater can fall twice and still receive a gold medal. Woe to the opera singer that cracks on a high note!

Oh, what a life, huh?

Sundry and Sunday thoughts...

Well, the Sunday thought is my KC Chiefs should have gotten into the playoffs and at least made a run for the money. The losses to the Bills and the Giants were really inexplicable. Oh, well, as I have posed the question to my Jets fans, "Are you crying or should we be?"

The Sundry thought (or thoughts) are...

My G*d (no, not Jewish but what the hell), how hard is it to practice after a long week with late nights and no real objective....

For many years, my wife (a fine soprano) and I would read the monthly edition of Classical Singer (and its earlier nom de plume - The New York Opera Newsletter) . Often, there would be an article on "creating your own opportunities" and my wife would display great disdain on the topic. When one is young, one tends to view the opera business (and singing business, in general) as a "seller's market" (ie: if you are not hired by the people selling, you don't have a career). What a limiting view of one's talent, capabilities, and or potential?

Now in my old age (and in reality I ain't all that old - except when compared to the really young ones postng on the various sites), I believe that you must make your own opportunities where possible. If you wait for the opera producing individuals to hire you for your validation of your career,talent, and personal worth, you will be disappointed, demoralized and ultimately, behind the 8 ball because you will not be progressing in your craft.

So, get out there and do it! Concerts, opera, recitals... whatever. The world needs it...you need it.

Basta per questa notte...buona fortuna!