Monday, January 18th 2010

I spent the afternoon getting into character. I read through the score of "Le Nozze di Figaro", trying to decipher Cherubino's character and personality. They didn't do a write-up or analysis of him, so all I found out is that he's this good-looking teenage page boy who is thrilled when he discovers love, the feeling of love. All the ladies are caught up in his affection, but his one true love remains the Countess, whom he obsesses over.
I suppose he's the type to have a cheeky grin plastered to his face most of the time. How does one get into a character like that? I find myself struggling to keep the smile plastered to my face while singing his song. I'm not used to it, for I usually frown while singing. Bad thing. Also, I need to keep my eyebrows lifted throughout the song to keep the placement high, and you wouldn't believe how difficult it is to do, especially when you're trying to express frustration and sadness.
Transition of moods, emotions and placements are slightly better today after hours of solid practice, singing it over and over, trying to smooth out the sound and rhythm and mood changes. Last night I couldn't get to sleep because the song kept playing in my head. I've listened to it so many times that the orchestra plays in my head when I sing that song. I have to sing it acapella at the audition, so I hope it'll sound good. I pray, pray, pray that the audition room has good acoustics.

Here's a Youtube video of Maria Ewing playing Cherubino, singing "Voi che Sapete". Unbelievable, how it looks so easy. Try it yourself and you'll realise it'll take at least 10 years of training to sing like that. Pretty impressive, and I think she looks attractive in this role.