Singing Lesson

OK. Opera singing is really hard, I'm not going to lie. It's effort-full, but needs to seem (relatively) effortless.

Check out this clip of Anna Netrebko singing "Regnava nel Silencio...Quando rapito in estasi" from Lucia di Lammermoor. The cavatina (the slower part), is very slow, sustained, high, etc. The cabaletta (when the music sounds lighter and happier), is FAST and high. In short, it's like swimming a 500, or running the mile. It's pretty long, but not long enough that you can coast. You have to sing really hard stuff for 8.5 minutes. Yikes.

What I like about her here? Her posture is pretty great. I really get the sense that her spine is aligned, maintaining the integrity of her breathing apparatus and her throat. She really does an impressive job, especially because the coloratura (the fast stuff) doesn't come naturally for her (I heard her say that somewhere...can't remember where, sorry). You can also tell that she's working hard, and that her whole body is involved. Nice work!