Met Opera Guild Lecture, "Singing Goetterdaemmerung", Jan 26
Join Jane Marsh,
Met Opera Guild,
Jan 26 at 6:00 pm,
Pre-performance lecture,
"Singing Goetterdaemmerung".
Tickets: 212-769 7028
Online: www.metguild.org
Passionate Zest for Best
It's no secret that I love horses. They inspire and sooth the soul, and the beauty of associating with horses is the package of energy, passion, fierceness, loyalty, and fire-all ingredients to mix into this new 2012. Let there be passionate zest for best!
Offer Your Gifts
TALENTS are GIFTS and GIFTS are to be GIVEN!
Happy Holidays One & All!
Lectures & Community Programs @ www.metguild.org
My summer launched PUCCINI: Death Scenes Lectures have gathered interest and the Met Opera Guild is trusting me to present them again: December 3, 10, 17, at 11:00 AM - Rose Building, Sixth Floor, Lincoln Center.
Tickets at 212-769-7028, or visit www.metguild.org - Lectures & Community Projects Brochure.
Lisa Frelinghuysen Group's RODELINDA Lecture
I'm enthused with the thematic material of "The Countertenor Evolvement", which I'll paint and trace, with "live" singing, for New York's Lisa Frelinghuysen Group, on Nov 9. This, within the Pre-opera-lecture on Handel's Rodelinda, coming soonest at the Met Opera.
Met Opera Guild Lecture, Sept 27-Verdi's Nabucco
Sept 27, at 6:00 PM, the Met Opera Guild's Pre-Performance Lectures will be launched. I look forward to my first lecture theme for this season, Ambition and Remorse in Verdi's Nabucco. An interesting view of the music and story through the ambitious warrior princess, Abigaille. Join me!
Tickets: 212 769 7028
Location: Rose Building, Sixth Floor, Lincoln Center
Italy Calls Again!
With all of my endless activities in Italy over the years, the eastern side of Italy-aside from continual work in Venice-has involved me less than the western side. But how delicious to be offered a new festival situation in the province of Gargano. Looking forward to blazing new trails and meeting new publics!
Recital Offer for NYC - Spring, 2012
Received a lovely recital offer for the spring 2012, for NYC. I find, in drawing from my various programs, and thinking about them, I'm passing people by on the street with a "deer in the headlights" stare!
Ain't it the Truth
Ain't it the truth, that a true friend is someone who overlooks your failures and tolerates your successes!
Met Opera Guild's Summer Series a Success
The Met Opera Guild's innovative Summer Series, Puccini Death Scenes
has gathered such public approval that it is being repeated in the Guild's 2011/12 seasonal events. I imagine the day will change, in order to be offered a different and new public-, but what a plus point of positivity for the Met Opera Guild's innovative thinking!
Check with the Guild's Hotline: 212/769-7028 and/or www.metguild.org for information.
Jane Marsh @ Met Opera Guild, June 9
The Met Opera Guild's SUMMER SERIES is proving to be a booming operation, in its first summer, and I am humbly honored to have launched this series.
On June 9, the series, on the theme of Puccini Death Scenes, continues with Puccini's Tosca-two suicides a murder and an execution. Wow...all the ingredients of fulfilling verismo opera, that fans dream about! And, apropos, this series is selling like "hot cakes". What fun!
Details:
June 9 - 2:00 PM
Met Opera Guild - Rose Building, Sixth Floor, Lincoln Center
Tickets: 212/769-7028 or www.metguild.org
Jane Marsh @ Buck Hill-Skytop Festival June 1
An honor to be invited to the Buck Hill-Skytop Festival next week. Opera, chamber music and contemporary activities there sound to be a perking for a strong festival on the horizon, and I am delighted to be part of the festival!
May 26 Il Trittico Death Scenes @ Met Opera Guild
The large public attendance at the May 19 Puccini Death Scenes launch of the Met Opera Guild's SUMMER SERIES clearly shows that the public can't get enough of the Guild's innovative planning.
May 26 at 2:00 PM offers the operas of Il Trittico, apropos the same Puccini Death Scenes theme. Join me!
Tickets - 212 - 769-7028 or www.metguild.org
SUMMER SERIES @ MetGuild.org
What a lovely honor to have launched the Met Opera Guild's new SUMMER SERIES yesterday, May 19, the theme having been Puccini "Death Scenes"-starring Madame Butterfly and Liu (Turandot). The well sold hall clearly states that the public never tires of the Guilds innovations, even during the summer months. More to come next week. Stay tuned!
Jane Marsh - Met Opera Guild’s Summer Series
Beware of Sharp Objects
May 19 – 2:00 PM
Met Opera Guild – Puccini Death Scenes
Singing Puccini is hard, but the challenges go beyond singing. Jane Marsh explains in her May 19th lecture Rose Building Sixth Floor - Lincoln Center New York
Tickets in Advance: $20.00 - 212-769-7028
Tickets at the Door: $25.00 - Subject to Availability
The Met Opera Guild's May 1 Gourmet Recitalist
Sunday, May 1, the Met Opera Guild's Masterly Singing Series featured three very talented singers in a Recital Master Class with Master Teacher & M.C. Jane Marsh
Claire Coolen - Soprano
Amber Smoke - Mezzo
Elizabeth Beers Kataria - Soprano
Congratulations to the singers, who honored seven elegant and eclectic composers, who are featured composers in the Metropolitan Opera's 2010/11 Season.
“Cooking up” a recital program is like planning a dinner party menu for CONNOISSEURS. You want a menu (a program) that not only appeases the sophistication of your guests’ tastes (your public), but also accentuates you-requiring accoutrements, décor, ambiance ingredients, theatrics, and proportion, all of which make up an individual and appropriate “look” for you and the particular occasion. Our “look” for THE GOURMET RECITALIST PROGRAM was an exposé of three singers in a potpourri of elegant, diverse and vocally showcased songs, from seven of this and next season’s Met Opera roster composers, creating the necessary SINGLE GROUP INGREDIENTS on which to build an entire recital program.
Jane Marsh – Master Class - Met Opera Guild
Jane Marsh – Master Class in Song - Met Opera Guild
The Gourmet Recitalist
May 1 – 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Met Opera Guild – Masterly Singing Series
Rose Building Sixth Floor - Lincoln Center New York
Singers Honor
Songs of Opera Composers
Tickets in Advance: $20.00 - 212-769-7028
Tickets at the Door: $25.00 - Subject to Availability
Passion Week & Good Friday
"Oh week that witnessed holy suffering!
You sound such a serious note in this blissful spring season.
In the rejuvenated rays of the sun,
You spread the shadow of the cross over the bright earth,
And silently lower your mourning crape.
Meanwhile, the spring is allowed to continue germinating.
The violet is fragrant beneath blossoming trees.
And all the birds sing songs of joy.
Oh, be silent, you birds in the green meadows!
All around, hollow-toned bells are resounding.
The angels are softly singing dirges.
Oh, quiet, you birds high up in the blue sky!
You violets, do not crown any maiden’s tresses today!
My pious girl is picking you to make a dark bouquet.
You will accompany her to the Virgin Mary’s house,
And there you will wither on the altar of the Lord.
Ah, there, intoxicated by mournful melodies,
And sweetly dazed by heavy fumes of incense,
She seeks her bridegroom in the vaults of death,
And love and springtime – everything is lost!" JM
2010/11 Met Opera's Russian Composers Featured
Tuesday, March 22, the Met Opera Guild's Masterly Singing Series featured three very talented singers in a Russian Master Class with Master Teacher Jane Marsh
Isabella Mederi - Soprano
Hyo Na Kim - Mezzo
Young Chul Park - Tenor
Congratulations to the singers, who honored Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky gloriously - the featured Russian composers in the Metropolitan Opera's 2010/11 Season -
with their diverse and vocally demanding selections from Orleanskaya Deva, Yevgeny Onyegin, Pikovaya Dama, Molitva.
Three elegantly memorable voices sang five apropos selections from two great Russians, with a linguistic proficiency and Russian flavor that convinced even the attending Russian public members.
The Sold Out Met Opera Guild event was enthusiastic and the interest in this Russian themed master class occasion notable!
Jane Marsh - Russian Master Class - Met Opera Guild
A Toast to Russian Opera
March 22 – 6:00 PM
Met Opera Guild – Masterly Singing Series
Rose Building Sixth Floor - Lincoln Center New York
Singers Honor
Tchaikovsky & Mussorgsky
Tickets in Advance: $20.00 - 212-769-7028
Tickets at the Door: $25.00 - Subject to Availability
February 16th CUNY Graduate Center Master Class
My recent February 16th CUNY Graduate Center Master Class, the focused theme of which was on songs-most particularly those contained in my Oxford University Press, Advent & Christmas Recital Songs Anthology Spirit be joyful -proved again that valuable resource material is contained in this anthology, when it comes to meeting recital programming requirements for the Holiday Season.
I felt proud of my work as editor, translator and transliterator, Oxford University Presses trust in me, and my singers Emily Eagen, Naomi Barrettara, Roz Woll, Mary Hubbell, and marvelous pianist Dr. Norman Carey, who truly invested themselves in the glory of these songs and this seasonal time of year.
Jane Marsh CD's: "Gifts" - "Treasures" Available
Gifts
JANE MARSH (Soprano)
Advent & Christmas Recital Songs
PIANIST (Gerd Ohlssen)
Now Available on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody
Treasures
JANE MARSH (Soprano)
Schubert & Wolf on Goethe
PIANIST (Gerd Ohlssen)
Now Available on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody
True Leadership Substance
Aside from understanding the use of time and the ability to create and follow a vision, a true leader wields power, not via manipulation of others for personal gain out of a 'control or competition fanaticism,' rather through a true intention to see success in others, always looking at the 'big picture'. This is human-quality-substance of the highest integrity!
New Years Thinking
A good omen for New Years thinking would be that, like attracts like; seemingly an inevitable universal law. So, we, therefore, do not escape the results of our actions - good and also less good. The realization here, is that reciprocation does not always come from the source from where the good or bad would take place, but payment is received. Therefore, be compassionate with others and with yourself. Being sensitive to your needs and the needs of others is such a positive launch...What goes around, comes around!
New Year Zest for Best
“New Years Eve is not about the coming Year,
It’s about enjoying exalted cheer,
And challenges us to picture triumph
As the only preferential penchant,
And while setting New Years sights almighty ‘highly’,
And keeping mind-sets from the high and mighty,
We embrace the yearly, personal tests
With ever passion and zest for best!!” JM
Goosed Holidays
“Geese are noisy and very petulant.
Forcing their voices, they are most persistent,
With spreading the latest in barnyard talk,
And they do it, endlessly, with a tiresome squawk.
Creating a tumultuous atmosphere there,
Geese fuss around with fracas and flare.
Scurrying turbulently, the whole family in tow,
Geese are always putting on a commotion show,
And, all the while, just voicing 'goosed' opinions,
As to who should do 'what a’ and in ‘which a’ dominion?
It is surely none of their business really,
As the farmer is master in decision dealings,
But it does add spice to the barnyard life,
As no other animal offers such unswerving strife,
So Geese are the busy bodies in the crowd
And they even squawk HAPPY HOLIDAYS hefty and loud”. JM
Christ Child
"That once a child on earth did reign,
Christmas comes ev’ry year again.
Coming from highest tent in the stars,
Brings Joy and Hap'ness to all the world.
The children celebrate happy the day,
Where Christ child in the crib did lay.
The Christmas lights are all around,
Wake ringing bells and organ sound.
Christ child does come to rich and poor,
All people are to HIM so very pure.
Thank HIM then fine and praise HIM above,
For you, HE offers so very much love." JM
Bunnies' Sundry & Full-bodied Holiday Gleez
“Bunnies have bushels…and bushels…. and bushels…..of children,
More than ever would be thought of by you in a million,
So that is why bunnies are not at all neat,
‘Cause there are just too many little bunny feet
Scampering around in the tiny bunny hut,
Driving their mother understandably ‘nuts,’
With all of those things that little bunnies crave,
But Mom’s discipline is strict, so her bunnies behave.
And now that the Holidays are almost upon us,
Our bunny Mom scuttles with her seasonal fussiness,
And, while she invents her tiny bunny festivities,
With all sorts of plump bunny proclivities,
The bunny hut is even more in disarray,
But, none-the-less, offering a copious display,
And what with the impish and merry spirit within,
With Mom and bunnies bountifully ‘swooped up’ therein,
They offer everyone their rich bunny experteez,
Not the least of which are gifts of sundry, full-bodied Holiday Gleez!”
Advent Season Renewed
"The season of Advent is now beginning.
A season filled with anticipation of Christmas blessings,
And the songs of Maria experience new singing,
Like blankets spread throughout Worlds in treasured bonding." JM
@ Met Opera Guild-Verdi's Father Figures & Sopranos
The Met Opera Guild presents Soprano Jane Marsh in a lecture on Verdi's opera gems La Traviata & La Forza del Destino, focusing on “Father Figures” and their sopranos, as well as some of the most glorious opera vocal writing...
November 14 (4:00-5:15 PM).
Each session: $16 in advance / $20 at the door
To order: metguild.org/lectures or call 212 769 7028
Location: Metropolitan Opera Guild, Rose Building, Sixth Floor, Lincoln Center, NYC
Family Ties: Verdi’s Fathers and Daughters
@ Met Opera Guild Verdi-Halloween-Oktoberfest
The Met Opera Guild presents Soprano Jane Marsh in a lecture on Verdi's opera gems Luisa Miller & Simon Boccanegra, combining the spirits of Halloween and the "spirits" of Oktoberfest.
October 31, 2010 (4:00-5:15 PM).
Each session: $16 in advance / $20 at the door
To order: metguild.org/lectures or call 212 769 7028
Location: Metropolitan Opera Guild, Rose Building, Sixth Floor, Lincoln Center, NYC
Family Ties: Verdi’s Fathers and Daughters
Verdi Lectures Coming @ Met Opera Guild
Soprano Jane Marsh and WQXR’s Nimet Habachy share six Verdi opera gems, with lectures on four consecutive Sundays at the Metropolitan Opera Guild: October 31 to November 21, 2010 (4:00-5:15 PM).
Each session: $16 in advance / $20 at the door
Full course registration: $56
To order: metguild.org/lectures or call 212 769 7028
Location: Metropolitan Opera Guild, Rose Building, Sixth Floor, Lincoln Center, NYC
Family Ties: Verdi’s Fathers and Daughters
Oct 31 (4:00–5:00 PM), Father-Daughter Dynamics and Duets in Luisa Miller & Simon Boccanegra MS. MARSH
Nov 7 (4:00-5:00 PM), A Father’s Curse Fulfilled in Rigoletto MS. HABACHY
Nov 14 (4:00-5:00 PM), Father Figures in La Traviata & La Forza del Destino MS. MARSH
Nov 21 (4:00-3:00 PM), Fathers, Pharaohs, and Princesses in Aida MS. HABACHY
Identifying You
Every artist needs a 'Look', whether visual or auditory. This sets you apart from everyone and everything.
Marriage Made in Heaven
Singer and accompanist teamed in rhythm of language and style and color of composer create a marriage made in heaven!
A Recital Program is like a Dinner Menu
You want a menu (a program) that not only appeases the sophistication of your guests’ tastes (your public), but also accentuates YOU-requiring accoutrements, décor, ambiance ingredients, theatrics, and proportion. Plan according to what your guests (your public) can comprehend, tolerate and digest, while keeping in mind that you are constantly educating and building inexperienced guests (publics) and challenging those with experience. Esteem your originality and know the rules, so you can bend them to showcase YOU! Figuratively speaking, starting with Dessert is not out of the question, if this can work for YOU, but Dessert could be an Encore. If YOUR Dessert is an Encore, give substantial thought, as this is your public’s (guests’) last chance to show appreciation and make your event a party!
Creative Reinvention
All creative artists need reinventing to keep them interesting and salable.
Learn the Rules
Learning the rules and then bending them, to incorporate ones personal “thumbprint”, can win fans. Bending them without knowing them risks foes!
Critiques & Critics
Critiques are important in marketing a career, but we need to be careful not to put our self-esteem in the hands of critics.
Your Career House
Part of establishing a career house is to think,
at the foundation, of the goals involved,
and understand when to commence planning.
Assets to Personal Success
In addition to personal talent,
the two most necessary assets to personal success are energy and self-esteem, in that order.
Jane Talks
Ironically, I have been known to say that table manners might be some fault in igniting war! When one thinks that accepted table etiquette in one country is not at all accepted in another, it's not a bad parallel.
Think Miracles
Is it not true that, as one thinks, so does one receive? The emotional honesty in ones thinking is the integrity and result of ones living experience, and, if one is seeking a change in his living circumstance, it is surely the focused thought and integrity of giving love, to oneself and others, which can create the miracle.
Worth the thought!
The Bel Canto Path
We pay tribute to the Bel Canto Era composers and singers, for their influence on those who thrived then and survive today, and, although Bel Canto may seem ambiguous-even in this 21st century, we need become aware that Bel Canto is a singing style as well as a vocal technique, and it offers a universal underpinning for singers and musicians to encompass all styles of all composers, with solid technical basis and stylistic savvy.
This is the first step for present day singers to reliable performing paths, a la those singers of yesteryear, while also honoring the interest and devoted constancy of audiences.
Voice Classificstion During the 1800's
Refinements occurred to voice classification during the 1800’s as the INTERNATIONAL OPERATIC REPERTOIRE slowly split into nationalist schools, and whole NEW CATEGORIES of singers evolved, such as:
1. A widened version of Mozart’s “pants roles” for Mezzos (expanding the Mezzo roles to include character Mezzo roles and leading Mezzo roles)
2. Then the Bass-Baritone and Bass arose towards the end of the 1800s, as did such new sub-categories as,
3. Lyric Coloratura Soprano (the name of which came from the concept of many blackened fast notes on a page, creating the most COLOR on the page…this voice could sing these notes the fastest)
Then, there was the,
4. Dramatic Soprano and,
5. Spinto Soprano,
6. And various gradations of the Tenor voice-stretching from the lightest Tenor, through Lyric, Spinto, and Heroic.
These VOCAL CATEGORY changes have had a lasting effect in the way teachers designate voices and opera managements cast their productions (even today)
Tenor High Notes
It all started with an Italian Tenor and a French Tenor pitting High C’s against each other in two successive Rossini opera events.
Rossini was totally unimpressed with these newly contrived high register notes, but singing history for tenors had thus changed, so Rossini, with his nose for trends, went “all out” and composed repertoire for several tenors, all together, in many of his subsequent works-altogether exploiting tenor high notes and fast notes!
Nicola Vaccai - Bel Canto Composer, Voice Teacher
Interesting is that a significant pedagogue of the BEL CANTO ERA, is still very relevant today:
Nicola Vaccai, a bel canto composer of the early 1800's (his opera Giulietta e Romeo, a big influence to Bellini’s operas, Il Pirata and Norma), is now, as composer, less known, but his approach to the bel canto art of singing still remains, as vocal textbook, selectively influential among today’s international voice teachers and voice students.
Verdi – Great Identity
Verdi sung in Italy, and upon Verdi's own native earth, ignites in the Italian audiences an uncanny identification with their own communal spirit. No holds barred! Absolutely none! And Verdi's uncanny technical understanding of the human voice and ingenuity and canny understanding of the expression of human emotion, to say nothing of his radar for sending a message through melody, are greatest exemplified in Verdi operas-early middle or late periods. Just pick one! And what greater opera than Verdi's Requiem? What greater libretto than a mass? Verdi's delicious serving of vocal challenge amidst the healthiest of artistic and musical palates is enlightening at every performance-at every rehearsal. To sing Verdi in Italy is an exhilarating, high wire experience.
Critical View
What others say to you can be a reflection-a mirror-of a subtle voice within you, and it can also, very often, be a voice within those speaking.
For example, if others are critical of you, it is often a reflection of who they are and how they view the world and themselves in it. So, be fair to yourself, and also others, as you assess criticism-given or taken.
Met Opera Guild Bel Canto Lectures & Bel Canto Master Class
Jane Marsh Lectures on Bel Canto for the Metropolitan Opera Guild,
The Fast and the Furious,
April 13, 6:00 PM
April 25, 4:00 PM
Ms. Marsh will also conduct a Bel Canto Master Class:
May 4, 6:00 PM – "Singing the Style", with three singers
Location: Metropolitan Opera Guild, Sixth Floor, Rose Building, Lincoln Center
Tickets Purchased: 212 - 769-7028 - www.operaed.org/lectures
Before the Passion
"Oh, if you had wanted this,
you should not have come forth
from a woman’s body:
Saviors should be mined for
in the mountains,
where one breaks the hard from the hard.
Are you not sorry yourself
to devastate the valley so dear to you?
Look at my weakness.
I have nothing more than milk and brooks of tears,
but you were always more than I.
With such commotion you were promised me!
Why did you kick so wildly out of me, so immediately,
If you need only to have tigers tear you apart now?
Why was I reared in the Womens’ House,
to weave a pure, soft garment for you,
in which not the slightest trace of a seam
could press upon you?
This was my complete life,
and now you reverse nature." JM
In the Finish
Success is not in the innovative launch, but in the original finish.
Jane Talks Soufflé à la Salzburg
A festive party theme of flowers and décor sets the stage for your guests to get involved in your food, each other, and you.
Try serving my Salzburger Nockerl (Soufflé à la Salzburg), Recipe found in PUBLICATIONS-COOKBOOK, on this website.
Let Your Affections Rule
Needing people as an expression of your affection and ability to love reinforces your belief in yourself and self-worth. Needing people to validate you gives them power over you. Let your own affections rule!
Hearty Thereof After
“With those blankets of snow,
the world takes on a glow
of a time of the season
with ev’ry good reason
to take out your skis
swoop down mountains with ease,
or find a froz’ lake
and skate ‘til you break,
from exhaustion, or freeze,
or, gee, start to sneeze.
But, after your play,
there is more to the day,
‘cause everyone gathers
for some hearty thereof after.
So you take off your boots,
settle down with your group,
build a fire with some logs,
and drink lots of good grog.”
Talent Will Out
True talent will out, inspite of impersonal circumstances. Focus on the need to 'kneel into' the realisation of your dreams while setting personal and universal trends. How refreshing to have you at the helm!
Valentines on High
"As Valentine’s Day draws nigh,
Cupid coyly sends his arrows on high,
And, as they soar in jubilation of this glorious day,
They awaken love’s tenderness in celebratory array,
And while igniting Cupid’s quintessence of ardent passion,
And a day of partnership and love’s glory of fashion,
They fly to the depths of love's joy of spirit,
While caressing every sensory moment of it." JM
Shadow Boxing - Practice Without Pressure
Shadowing boxing or imagination in pictures, used as a practice technique, is another form of practice, instead of, or in addition to, really singing scales or playing them. It's amazing how profitable this is and it requires relaxation, which is, of course, part of the desired 'practiced' end-result.
Modest Mussorgsky's Artistic Profundity
Proceeding from the conviction that human speech is strictly controlled by musical laws, Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky considered the function of art to be the reproduction of musical sounds not merely of feelings, and this applied, first and foremost, to his feeling about human speech in relation to music-his music in particular: "Art is a means of communicating with people, and not an aim in itself. This guiding principle has defined the whole of my creative activity." Modest Mussorgsky
Love & Approval - Difference?
The beautiful essence of an act is lost to the wind, if all that would be important is the kill, the win, the high number...However the worst symptom of perfectionism is the perfectionist's lack in seeing the difference between "love" and "approval."
Seems like this could be the "heart" of the matter!
Advent Weeks to Epiphany
As we know, the meaning of Advent is 'in preparation' and Epiphany is the day Jesus was 'revealed' and 'manifested' to the Three Wise Men and to the world. I have preoccupied myself with the theme of Advent and Epiphany for some time, and, in my adoration of Christmas, I have sought out delicious, often lesser known, song repertoire, which, during my world travels, I have included into some of my themed recitals. I find the international public response, whether in Vienna, Brescia, Nice, Como, or Düsseldorf..., to be enthusiastic interest in hearing wonderful works from various composers and poets, often having won fame for other creations of theirs. Some countries of our Western World observe the journey from the Advent Weeks to Epiphany on different dates, but the love and spiritual devotion is none-the-less similar and a wonderful basis for lifting barriers to universal and communal celebration.
Epiphany
"Oh child of man! Hold your step so true.
The kings did wander, so wander you too!
The star of mercy, the star of love,
Is bright’ning your goal, while you seek your Lord,
And failing Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh,
Offer your heart to your Savior so dear." JM
New Year Zest for Best
“The entrance of a NEW YEAR
Chimes and echoes of Holiday cheer,
It’s all about that, which conquers,
And quite less of that, which falters…
There’s encouragement of unfilled dreams
And visions of that esteemed.
Nothing wants to be easy peasy,
Tho' looks toward vast and quantum leapings.
There’s an ending to the old,
with a hint of things untold,
A slate of resolutions,
And devoutly new solutions,
A diet here, a promise there,
And a time for passions found with new sought flare.
Not a moment to settle for less,
So look to the NEW with ZEST for BEST!" JM
Holiday Grog
“With blankets of snow,
The world takes on a glow
Of a time of the season
With ev’ry good reason
To take out your skis
Swoop down mountains with ease,
Or find a froz’ lake
And skate ‘til you break,
From exhaustion, or freeze,
Or, gee, start to sneeze.
But, after your play,
There is more to the day,
‘Cause everyone gathers
For a little thereof after.
So you take off your boots,
Settle down with the group,
Build a fire with some logs,
And drink Holiday Grog.” JM
Advent Season Ending
"The Advent season is now ending. A season filled with the anticipation of Christmas blessings. The songs of Maria experience added rhapsody, like intricate bridges joining spiritual bodies" JM
Christmas Gratitude
Christmas gratitude is a faithful heart's way of saying,
"thank you", for all joy and blessed togetherness.
Russia's White Tiger's Holiday Roar!
"White Tigers have a mouth like a grin
And a throat like a bin,
And they let out such noise,
That you really take poise,
‘Cause at first you just think,
That the world’s ‘bout to sink,
But then you think, WOW,
What a grown up MEOW.
Then you simply realize
That all Tigers take pride,
And it’s their funny way
Of putting on display,
But, aside from all that,
Tigers are merely just cats,
Just standing around,
Making overgrown sounds,
Which if thought of just right,
Could be their coy delight,
And their extroverted display
At wishing EVERYBODY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!" JM
Spinning Strauss & Panel Discussion – Met Opera Guild
December 6, 4:00 – 6:00 PM – "Spinning Strauss", showcasing Strauss opera voices and Strauss women-character polarities from Ariadne auf Naxos
December 10, 7:00 – 9:00 PM - Mock Audition and Panel Discussion, "Nice work if You Can Get it"
Panelists:
William (Bill) J. Powers (Director of Administration and Artistic Operations, Pittsburgh Opera),
Jane Marsh (Soprano, lecturer, coach and international vocal competition judge),
John Miller (President, Pinnacle Arts Management)
Eve Shapiro (director, acting coach/teacher).
Mark Trawka, chorus master and director of music studies for Pittsburgh Opera resident artist program.
Location: Met Opera Guild, Sixth Floor, Rose Building, Lincoln Center
Tickets ordered: 212-769-7028 www.operaed.org/lectures
Thanksgiving
“Thanksgiving is not about giving,
It’s about giving and rec’iving;
A day of great thanks,
For long held tradition,
No Indian pranks,
Just harvested submissions,
And food from so many,
There is plenty of plenty,
No lacking in any,
For so, so, so, many,
So when there’s good chance,
And in the right stance,
One quietly stays
And under breath prays,
For all being together,
And staying in tether,
For singing glory songs
Prideful harvested throngs.” JM
Puccini Lectures & Strauss Master Class
Jane Marsh Lectures on Puccini's Il Trittico for the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Puccini the Popular,
November 21, 11:00 AM
November 24, 6:00 PM
Ms. Marsh will conduct a Strauss Master Class, as well:
December 6, 4:00 PM - Strauss Master Class, "Spinning Strauss"
Location: Metropolitan Opera Guild, Sixth Floor, Rose Building, Lincoln Center
Tickets Purchased: 212 - 769-7028 - www.operaed.org/lectures
Reflexions on June 25
Talent is a gift from an Almighty power and the circumstance and ability to express that talent is a gift to an Almighty power!
Verdi in Verdi's Own Country - Spiritual Identity
Verdi sung in Italy, and Verdi's own native earth, ignites in the Italian audiences an uncanny identification with their own communal spirit. No holds barred! Absolutely none! And Verdi's uncanny technical understanding of the human voice and ingenuity and canny understanding of the expression of human emotion, to say nothing of his radar for sending a message, are greatest exemplified in Verdi's operas. Just pick one! And, what greater opera than Verdi's Requiem? What greater libretto than a mass? I savor Verdi's delicious serving of vocal challenge amidst the healthiest of artistic and musical palates. To again be singing Verdi, this time in northern Italy, is a natural and high wire experience. Really icing on the veritable cake, and I do love that stunning cake!
Spirit be joyful
Compiled, edited, translated, and transliterated by Jane Marsh, Spirit be joyful is an anthology of 14 songs on the theme of Advent and Christmas for high voice and piano with accompanying CD
Covering the Baroque to the contemporary, this anthology features 14 lesser-known gems in English, German, Italian, Latin, and Russian by major composers. Marsh provides faithful English singing translations. A CD with piano accompaniments is included. Perfect for solo recitals or church services.
To order, please contact your local music store or customer service at 1-800-292-0639 or order online at Oxford University Press and Amazon.com.
Gifts & Treasures
Jane Marsh (Soprano), Gerd Ohlssen (Pianist)
Available soon on Amazon.com.
Faith is Believing
“Faith is believing
And knack of perceiving
That trust is serenity
In promised divinity." JM
Artistic Greatness
Artistic greatness, in any field, has a rare and uncanny quality of sensing life and the world head on and anew, without filtering it through warped beliefs, expectations or preconceptions. This 'divine essence' encompasses a field of wonder, and experiences a creative route filled with uncensored riches.
Putting this 'artistic dawning,' if you will, into words-written or spoken, or sung-allows all of us to see, read and hear with newborn vision, and experience with truly open heart.
Judgment
More frequently, life in us is more strongly diminished by judgment than it is by illness. The spontaneity of the natural life force becomes stifled with over scrutiny. Judgment, and or approval, is sought or practiced to please others and ourselves. It is seldom to find someone who loves us as we are, just as it is seldom to love ourselves whole.
Worry Before Placing Bets
A good rule of thumb would be, to do your worrying before you place your bets, not after the wheel starts turning.
Wagner Master Class – April 14, Met Opera Guild
Jane Marsh Wagner Master Class - Metropolitan Opera Guild, April 14
“Wagner 'Lieds' the Way,” with reference to the Metropolitan Opera's production of Wagner’s RING CYCLE, and Wagner’s Songs
Date of Master Class: April 14
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Metropolitan Opera Guild, Rose Building, Sixth Floor, Lincoln Center, NYC
Tickets Reserved at, 212-769-7028
Passion Week & Good Friday
"Oh week that witnessed holy suffering!
You sound such a serious note in this blissful spring season.
In the rejuvenated rays of the sun,
You spread the shadow of the cross over the bright earth,
And silently lower your mourning crape.
Meanwhile, the spring is allowed to continue germinating.
The violet is fragrant beneath blossoming trees.
And all the birds sing songs of joy.
Oh, be silent, you birds in the green meadows!
All around, hollow-toned bells are resounding.
The angels are softly singing dirges.
Oh, quiet, you birds high up in the blue sky!
You violets, do not crown any maiden’s tresses today!
My pious girl is picking you to make a dark bouquet.
You will accompany her to the Virgin Mary’s house,
And there you will wither on the altar of the Lord.
Ah, there, intoxicated by mournful melodies,
And sweetly dazed by heavy fumes of incense,
She seeks her bridegroom in the vaults of death,
And love and springtime – everything is lost!" JM
Spring Has Come Again
“When the Sun’s face shows,
And there are no snows,
And the atmosphere’s clean,
And very serene,
With temperatures warmed,
To an occasional storm,
And a great transformation,
Is again in preparation,
Then Nature’s happy ring,
Welcomes in the noble spring,
And within her glory throngs,
Birds are singing budding songs.” JM
Saint Patrick’s Day & Christianity
Saying has it that,
"Saint Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland,
As serpent symbols were early worshipped by pagans,
So, upon encountering the Druids at Tara,
It gave chance for Patrick’s true conversion hour,
And the Baptism of Druids there in "Holy Wells"
Gave way to March seventeen as the day to retell
All-world of a cherished and hallowed sanctity,
Introduced to Ireland as Christianity." JM
Met Opera & Mo. Erich Leinsdorf - You're Hired
Maestro George Schick, Music Consultant of the Metropolitan Opera at the time, had taken a big interest in me, along with the Met, since my having won the attention of several major New York critics, the likes of Irving Kolodin, Winthrop Sargeant and Harold Schonberg, all of whom had written very favorably about me, after my involvement in the Met Auditions, while I was still at Oberlin College.
Shortly thereafter, Mo. Schick called me at Oberlin, saying that Mo. Erich Leinsdorf was looking for a leading soprano to head a stellar team for the opening of the Boston Symphony season, in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Missa Solemnis, and that he, Mo. Schick, and the Metropolitan Opera, would like to bring me to Mo. Leinsdorf’s attention, as well as a few other conductors. Was I willing to come back to New York and sing for Mo. Leinsdorf at the arrangement of the Met? I, in the middle of classes and finals, of course immediately mentioned this to my voice teacher at Oberlin, Ellen Repp, who simply said, “You go! I’ll take care of the school”. So off I went to New York, excited by this hugely complimentary prospect.
On the audition day, I arrived to be greeted by a mass of people assembled on the Rehearsal Stage of the Met. Not many singers, but numerous eager listeners. Mo. Leinsdorf, I later learned, was always someone who strongly demanded that one stand up to the occasion at hand, couldn’t have been less encouraging of me as I began to sing for him. Emitting a contradictory tone to everyone in the room at large, he clearly indicated that I, this kid, had been ill invited and was wasting his time:
“She’s much too young you know. I really don’t see how she can manage this”, he’s directing to Mo. Schick and everyone listening. Then, somehow caught up and convinced by what he was hearing from me, he changed completely, asking me to create colors, tempi and tone consistencies he obviously enjoyed. Suddenly, grinning enthusiastically, he blurted out: “She can do it. You’re hired!”
Later, at rehearsals in Boston, Leinsdorf took me aside, and said, "You may think I was unreasonably severe with you when you sang for me." I said nothing. He then looked at me square in the eye and said, "Yes, I may have been severe and unreasonable with you, but you delivered and stood up to me, didn't you! The test of ones worth often comes with barbs and hurdles and passing these tests is not a small matter. Remember this." He smiled at me very earnestly.
Valentine's Day Draws Nigh
As Valentine’s Day draws nigh,
Cupid has no malady spinning his arrows on high,
And as they soar in jubilation of this glorious day,
They awaken love’s tenderness in a celebratory array,
And in completing Cupid’s quintessence of ardent passion,
And a day of partnership and love’s glory of fashion,
They find the depths of Love's joyous spirit,
While also arousing every sensory moment of it. JM
Sound Elephant Trumpets
“What a wonderful animal the elephant is,
communal and constant, with loyal willingness to give,
and those elephant youngsters are actually quite capricious,
but this is really just natural baby sweetness.
And, within the herd, there is always an aunt,
in the event that a baby's mother just simply can’t
attend to watching her new baby off spring,
in which case, a 'surrogate' steps in with infant watching.
Thus, when each mother needs to bathe herself,
another elephant puts its own needs upon the shelf,
and allows each mother to step up to the plate,
keeping an eye on her baby while she bathes in the lake.
So, each elephant takes over where the other leaves off,
giving every herd member a chance at the trough.
But, most importantly is the elephant’s devotion,
tending its troubled without slightest commotion.
This is committed attention and soulful caring,
which keeps the onlooker fascinatedly staring.
Thus, we note elephant’s intuition to be incredibly noteworthy,
very like humans when on hospital duty.
And, with those massive trunks that elephants have,
they will lift a whole forest, should another be trapped,
and carry one away, between two, can it be saved,
or bury it and then mourn it, if that's the only way.
Elephants have extraordinary instinct and a captivating intelligence,
which is true reason to celebrate them with loud pomp and circumstance.
So let us jubal for elephants with robustness of cheer
and let elephant trumpets ring in vociferous fanfare!” JM
Personally Empowered Transformation
Replicating a mode of operation, in the same untempered manner, is to be faced with the reality of haphazard results, and is wearing on one’s personal transmission-as it were-to say nothing of the rest of one’s personal flow…
Governing and/or reacting to circumstances, using the same personal tools, without any further forethought and psychic tune-up, is missing the glory of personally empowered transformation.
Snow Bunnies
"Snow bunnies are cute and really quite sweet,
But Snow Bunnies are not at all very neat,
And Snow Bunnies are actually miraculously cunning,
As one sees them hip-pity-hop running,
Through forests and fields,
Gathering tidbits for meals,
And being ever nosy,
As they sniff the wild posies,
‘Cause Snow Bunnies, really, do quite well match,
While, happily, cavorting on a snowy white patch,
Which makes them actually quite difficult to see,
So color protection can certainly be
Advantageous for them against predator inspections
Of foxes, wolves, and hoot owl collections,
And Snow Bunnies are high in the family sort of way,
With brothers and sisters for play every day,
As Snow Bunnies have bushels…and bushels…and bushels…of children,
More than ever would be thought by you in a million,
So that is why Snow Bunnies are not very neat,
‘Cause there are just too many little bunny feet
Scampering around in the small bunny hut,
Driving their mother understandably ‘nuts,’
With all of those things that little bunnies crave,
But the discipline is strong, so those bunnies behave.” JM
Listening is a Powerful Thing
Listening is a basic way to connect with another person. A focused and caring amount of attention is such a valuable and powerful thing to offer another. It is up to the listener to fine tune the listening receptors to the energy output of the discussion partner. This is a responsibility well worth taking seriously, considering the trusted gift being offered.
Attire Creates Ambiance
Attire choices create the ambiance of a costume for you-in private or in public-and, regarding your guests or audience-in private or in public-, attire creates the ambiance of a set and a costume as well.
Do not underestimate the importance of attire in your professional thinking. Dress for the occasion your job requires, and include your personal assets and professional station, and its expression, in your attire-choice thinking.
Talents are Gifts
Offer your talents as widely as possible. Talents are gifts and gifts are to be given.
Good Rule of Thumb
In rethinking problem solving, the proportion of focus is not to be underestimated. One might glance earnestly at the negatives, but one would do well to focus strongly on the positives...A good rule of thumb is to spend twenty percent on the problem and eighty percent on the painting of it fixed.
Changing Personally Inappropriate Patterns
Personally inappropriate and destructive patterns and ideas are changed not by Will necessarily, but by other ideas. One can assume that two very powerful ingredients and levers go hand-in-hand with this concept to change. These are convictions held by almost everyone:
(1) the belief and feeling that one is capable of holding his own, doing his share, exercising a certain amount of independence, and,
(2) the belief that one houses a certain something within, which should not be allowed to suffer indignities.
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