In a message dated 5/10/2001 3:55:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time, omigurt@m... writes: omigurt@m... writes:
<< It can be quite annoying. The point, of course, is to communicate the music and text (listed in alphabetical order!). Most classical singers, most of the time, in most music do this with music memorized. However, even if the music is not memorized, the performer should still be off-book enough to make eye contact with the audience and tell the story. >>
someone told me, when i was in college, of a singer singing at city opera (ny) who would show up for rehearsals in mirrored sunglasses and wear them throughout the entire rehearsal. scott walker, a singer/songwriter, having a near cultish following in the uk and an inspiration to such artists as david bowie, bryan ferry and nick cave, always wears sunglasses, even during his rare performances. both of these people are reclusive (seperating them from those who wear sunglasses onstage just to be cool).
performing from memory, for me, is a nightmare. remembering what i am singing becomes my priority as opposed to getting the point of what i am singing across. i enjoy singing and i'm happy to have people hear me. but, i don't like making faces or gestures other than my usual unanimated blank stare so, there's really nothing for anyone to see. when i perform using music, i'm not aware of using it for anything other than not having to remember what comes next and, more importantly, so i have an excuse not to make eye contact.
reclusive? shy? maybe so. (i actually find praise from audience members after a performance kind of embarrassing.) whatever the reason, if all i have to offer is the sounds i make, whether or not i use music is not even a moot point. i am sure i am not alone in wanting just to be held responsible for the sound of a perfomance. the expectation of people who are just interested in making music to have to put on some kind of visual display, seems a bit unfair.
i also hate dressing up too.
mike
mike
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