No More "I'm Sorry"

Hi Folks,

Well news flash for Justin Friesen, this blogging thing has a spell checker, so it looks like I should have no problem with misspelled words. (We will see about that, it's only a computer)

It has once again be a busy, and full day. As I write this 4 entry, I feel like I have been doing this forever. It's only been 3 days, and I swear I feel like it's been at least 3 weeks. I have learned so much in three weeks, and by that I mean I have learned so much music and new text in 3 days, it's insane. But what's more insane is that i still have to tackle both Romeo and Juliet and Falstaff chorus parts. AHHHHHH!!!! First I have to focus on my trio in Beatrice and Benedict, and my Recit's from Romeo. I don't know if I have even mentioned what parts I'm playing at Nuova, so in that case I will take some time to clear that up.

Opera Nuova is putting on 3 operas this year, as well as many evening concert: including an Aria Extraveganza, A Vocal Gems Concert, and Classic Broadway night, and Song Soiree nights featuring the dominant Opera languages of Italian, French, German, and English. On June 11 and 12th, I alone with a cast of just under 15 people (doubled casted) will be presenting "Beatrice and Benedict" an Opera composed and originally conducted by Hector Berlioz. It is one of his least famous Operas, the most famous being "Carmen." However, I would argue that this opera has some of the most beautiful duets, trio's and aria's I've ever heard in Opera. I am going to be playing both Leonato and Claudio. One on each night. Nuova is then presenting 2 more operas at the end of June. Romeo and Juliet composed by Charles Gounod, in which I will be playing the exciting role of Gregorio. (he's got lots of recit, hence why I needed that little workshop with Megan Brown [MBro]) Also, we at Nuova will be presenting Falstaff, composed by Verdi, in which I will be joining the chorus. These 2 main stage operas will run on opposing nights going from June 21 to 27th.
So if you are interested, come on out, I guarantee you will enjoy yourself. Nuova is one of those summer programs that is always putting life back into the Operatic Stage. There is no need to be afraid, you won't be bored. Opera is taking a dramatic turn in the new millennium. It's time people started heading out to see some of these amazing productions. There is just an amazing clob of talent this year, everyday I'm just aww inspired.

For example, today we had a Media Launch, in which CTV came and taped us doing a bunch of songs to show off the Program on the news. The Final Duet from Romeo and Juliet will make you cry it's so beautiful. And the women of Falstaff, Sonya and Tracy, Janna and Laurelle, wowsa, so funny. Then you have the men from Falstaff, with these amazingly rich young voices ready to take on these roles with vigour and zeal. It's amazing to be apart of this. And if I still haven't convinced you. Then you should simply come to see Beatrice and Benedict, because it is a rarely seen opera that is absolutely filled with Golden Nuggets of sweet music that will make your heart melt. Seriously people, this opera needs to be seen.

Anyways enough of that, back to blogging!!!

Today we had another musical theatre run through, and because we have such a willing group of people we get so much done in rehearsal, is fantastic. Everyone is just so excited about everything, and it makes it so easy to enjoy the choreography. People who have no dance training are just diving right in and don't care at all what they look like. That is also inspiring, and makes me what to dive head first into a few things that make me uncomfortable, and just see what happens. That's what this is all about, right??

I had a wonderful coaching today with Jordan De Souza and Kathleen Gable (love them dearly) for the Trio for Beatrice and Benedict. Well I realized that my French sucks, and that is mostly because I've never taken the time to train my mouth how to sing the 14 different vowels. That is a lot of vowels, considering English has, what "E, I, A, O, U, and Sometimes Y." Furthermore Kathy stressed the idea that you should always be adding character, right from the minute you combine words with the music. Why wait till the staging to add emotion and movement. Often the words will come much easier when you just look away from your score and engage with the singers and actors around you. You must not forget that they are only words, and especially in French, there needs to be flow and line to the text. Right now I'm trying to find the musical line to the text, and to do that you have to know the text inside and out, backside and front. It's crucial! Then you can create a line, and gently emphasis the right words here and there. I tend to get boggled down with the words, but as Kathy said when I had 3 words to say in one section of the trio ,"Justin, it's just three words, your not trying to spew out a paragraph, it's just three words." An ongoing theme I'm sensing here at Nuova is "keep it simple!" What do we make things harder for ourselves sometimes, I DON'T KNOW...

During my supper break, I had a delightful chat with Michael from Toronto. He is singing Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, and has a beautiful Tenor voice. He is another dude to watch out for. He has been doing some cross-over work and is putting together a record right now to be released I believe next year.
I'm beginning to feel more and more, that Opera is a great place to be in. But then again, it's been 3 days. Yet in these three days, I've already realized how much I love the process of putting on all these concerts and opera's. That's what I love, THE PROCESS!!! The chance to explore and discover new things about yourself and the music you are studying as well as the people you are working with. And I'm getting the chance to work with some kicksweet people, let me tell you!!

Well it's late at night, once again, and I must head to bed. It's been a great day, and tomorrow I don't have to be up till 7, what a concept. Amazing. I can't wait. 6 full hours of sleep!! Good night folks, this is Justin Friesen signing off!

* oh one more thing, there is no more saying "Sorry" while at Opera Nuova, Unless someone gets hurt or dies, saying sorry is not aloud. We have a sorry jar, and it's 25 cents every time you say it. I already had to pay a dollar. I blame my Mennonite roots for that. hahaha

Cheers!

Over and Out:]