The Sybaritic Singer is rolling out a new feature called “Let’s Discuss.” Herein, we will yap, chat, blab, whisper, babble, tattle, and yadda, yadda, yadda about those topics you can’t ignore in the singing world. Alright friends, let’s opine…
Opera thrives off of the suspension of disbelief. We are supposed to believe that Hoffman really puts on rose-colored glasses and falls in love with a life-sized doll. We are supposed to believe that there is an opera about an opera inside of another opera. And of course, there is always the he loves her but she dies. He loves her but somebody kills her. He loves her but she has consumption… and she dies. One of the reasons we all love opera so much is because it is ridiculous. But, how do we make the audience want to believe the ridiculous? Acting. Remember, in acting, self-awareness is king!
Which brings me to my “Let’s Discuss” point of the day: the wrist. In recent memory, I have been bombarded by the forgotten wrist. The wrists are an important indicator of masculinity/femininity on stage. Sadly, I continue to see Jack from NBC’s “Will & Grace” flitting around a stage instead of a seductive Don Giovanni. All because of a wrist.
Mezzo-sopranos take note. When playing a pants role, watch out for feminine moves that undermine your character. Be mindful of everyday moves like a hand on the hip or popping a knee that seep into your portrayal. No one wants to see an Orfeo travel through hell and back for Euridice just to braid each other’s hair and paint their toenails. To further drive this point home, learn how to handle a knife like a man. Romeo and Giulietta aren’t drinking cosmos together. This is serious stuff.
I understand this reads like a rant but that’s part of the “Let’s Discuss” appeal. Bring me your comments and questions. Do you notice the errant wrists as much as I do? What other self-awareness issues do you see?
