As you’ll be aware if you’ve been following my blog for the past three years, my musical passion lies in the Opera world, in July I flew to Italy to participate in the Trentino Music Festival Summer School. When preparing the songs for my audition for this summer school in January, my ambition about such an experience was initially to get more opera performance opportunities and to improve my Italian language skills over the five weeks duration. Whilst in Italy I made friends in all the local shops, bakery and cafes and practised my Italian on my willing victims every day. I attended and performed in master-classes, one by the amazing Deborah Voigt, and undertook the roles of ‘Gretel’ in Hansel and Gretel (under the skilful baton of David Gately), ‘2nd Knabe’ and chorus in Die Zauberflute by Mozart and as ‘The Novice’ and chorus in Suor Angelica by Puccini.
Jess And Me On Our First Day In ItalyGoing To See Aida with NatalieJust Before Going On Stage At A Concert In ItalyMy Final Week With The Opera Performance StudioThe Final Performance Of Hansel And GretelI was guest soloist at a Fyfe Creative Arts Hub Recital the day after I returned from my summer holiday and in October I performed a selection of arias at a gala fundraising evening hosted by the Bowdon Festival Opera, they are raising funds to put the Opera ‘Don Giovanni’ this year and I’ve been offered the role of ‘Zerlina’ which is very exciting.
Tim Edmundson, Beth Jerem, Robert Forrest, Me And Michael GibsonLast November George Todica and I utilised our Grieg Haugtussa song cycle coaching from our Norwegian master-classes in a one hour long concert in Edinburgh. I sang the full eight song cycle in the first half in the original Norwegian. I have been analysing if songs sound better in the language they were originally written in and one comparison I thought: ‘Does Shakespeare have such a profound effect and impact when translated into other languages?’ Or indeed ‘Would Robert Burns give the depth and feeling if spoken or sung in standard English rather than Scottish dialect, his poem and song ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is often sung at Hogmanay (New Years Eve)?’
At the close of the year I enjoyed participating in the RCS choir at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral undertaking Handel’s Dixit Dominus, I also got to listen to friends performing Spem and Purcell.
Beth Taylor, Me and Susannah Bedford Ready For Handel’s Dixit DominusAnd finally singing in the Christmas Cracker with Jessica Hurst at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Ready To Go On Stage At The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Thanks Annette but it’s quite a while before I could launch, I’ve been speaking to experts this week about the career in more detail and the length before you would be expected to train full time before get your first roles (typically 28).
Thanks, it’s nice to remember all this things with you ! Thank you for all these shares and what you tell us about the world of opera – You are a great singer, a great journalist and a good teacher too :-). All the best for you 🙂
Thank you Pascal, the year has gone by in a flash, I read a brilliant post http://dalocollis.com/ about ‘Slowing Down the Perception of Time’ a beautifully written and photograph illustrated post of monkeys about our ‘perception of time’.
Thanks, very interesting and nice post and monkeys:-), thanks ! Yes time is strange. When you wait for an audition 10 minuts seem to be an hour, but when you’re happy and performed, hours seem to be minutes 🙂 …. I had write about the perception of time some years ago, I will have to translate…. The best for you
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If love to read it ☺️ send it to me in French and I’ll work on translating it after my exams next week.
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ok I will send you 🙂
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Good Job, Woof Woof Meow = Full Support Douglas Matamoros
Doing what you love…how grateful you must feel 🙂 I do like the observation you have made regarding the profound effects that can occur in the translation of works into other languages. Such rich experiences can only increase the quality and depth of your singing.
….it is always the journey and not the destination 🙂 Look forward to your journey continuing in 2016 !
Thanks for dropping by to read my blog it is great to see you on here too 🙂 I couldn’t do this without my parents support and I’m very grateful. I intend to enjoy the journey and how could I not pursuing something I love each day.
With a year like that, I see why look so gloriously happy in all of your photos! Congratulations on a wonderful year, Charlotte. It is SO much fun for me to keep reading of your experiences as you go forward toward what is sure to be a great career in opera.
Thanks for the good things you have doing. I follow your blog quite ardently and enjoy the things you do. They are quite delightful and beautiful. I hope to continue for a long long time. Don’t ever stop! Sincerely Michael >
You certainly achieved such a lot last year. I hope you continue to gain experience in your chosen career this year. The best of luck and lots of love, Clare
You look like you are in your element, Charlotte. You look happy doing what you love to do. You are truly blessed not only with talent but with the drive needed to succeed. Blessings and best wishes! 😘
What a wonderful year in review. No grass grows under your feet Charlotte.It has been a pleasure to follow you. All good wishes for this new year, Darlene
That was quite an action packed year! If actions set up further actions, then your 2016 should be just as action packed as well. And you forgot hours of practicing and studying!
Also, one sentence jumped out at me about practicing on willing victims.
I travel overseas and I meet people who are studying English and when given the chance to speak to a real life American; they freeze up and do not want to speak. Learning involves accepting that you are lacking the skills to be great and to obtain it; you may have to mess up and look foolish. If you try and mess up and laugh it off and try again; you will improve.
Oh there were many times I absolutely baffled people like the time when I asked for a chicken with no guts ( bravery ) when and I was trying to buy a chicken without the giblets 🙂 But I do enjoy trying. Thanks Steve and you have a fabulous week.
Charlotte, you have to speak English when you’re telling me things. Honestly. 🙂 I’m going to look in the Dictionary for a couple of these words, no problem.
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😀 new scrabble words always useful hehe
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If you’re planning to top that performance this year, you will have your work cut out indeed!
I agree that the original languages generally sound better. Although some translators do manage a remarkable job of retaining the poetry and ‘feel’.
Perhaps I could be cheeky and ask if you have any examples of superb translations that retain the poetry and feel of the piece, I wonder if some languages are easier to translate than others, I’m finishing off my research piece next week.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Unfortunately I’m not enough of a linguist to remember any offhand in the musical scene – however the English translation of Asterix comes to mind.
Ideally, the languages should have similar numbers of syllables. Note the difficulty with “Il segreto per esser felici” from Lucrezia Borgia. Straight away one is faced with a problem on ‘the secret’ because ‘the-e secret’ sounds contrived. Then ‘of being happy’ can perhaps be overcome with ‘towards being’, but ‘ha-a-a-a-a-a-py’ is no substitute for ‘feli-i-i-i-i-i-ci’. There may be an effective translation, but this is just off the top of my head as I know the words – mainly because I love the concept of making today your friend.
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Have you come to any conclusions? Does a translation ever do justice to the source material?
I’ll be finishing my research next week in our Bridge Week and that is one of the final pieces in the jigsaw to try to see if certain languages translate better than others. I hope I can find several good examples.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Nice wrap. The final photo is beautiful
Thanks John shame about the tiled wall I might get my Dad to Photoshop it 🙂
My Best wishes
Charlotte
I guess I did not notice the wall. -)
What a busy year, you look amazing.
Thank you Joan 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Bellisima
Thank you John 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Just busy, accomplished, lovely Charlotte. Cheryl x
Thank you Cheryl 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Have a lovely weekend Charlotte! Cheryl x
Good on you! This is a fantastic launch to a glorious career!
Thanks Annette but it’s quite a while before I could launch, I’ve been speaking to experts this week about the career in more detail and the length before you would be expected to train full time before get your first roles (typically 28).
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations. It’s great to see any person following their dreams, working hard and enjoying success. Chuffed to bits for you, well done.
Thanks Bill, it’s nice to reflect back and then do the more formal written reflection for college.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks, it’s nice to remember all this things with you ! Thank you for all these shares and what you tell us about the world of opera – You are a great singer, a great journalist and a good teacher too :-). All the best for you 🙂
Thank you Pascal, the year has gone by in a flash, I read a brilliant post http://dalocollis.com/ about ‘Slowing Down the Perception of Time’ a beautifully written and photograph illustrated post of monkeys about our ‘perception of time’.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks, very interesting and nice post and monkeys:-), thanks ! Yes time is strange. When you wait for an audition 10 minuts seem to be an hour, but when you’re happy and performed, hours seem to be minutes 🙂 …. I had write about the perception of time some years ago, I will have to translate…. The best for you
If love to read it ☺️ send it to me in French and I’ll work on translating it after my exams next week.
ok I will send you 🙂
Good Job, Woof Woof Meow = Full Support Douglas Matamoros
Thank you Douglas, Meow back, you’d love our Cat Duet. It is great to see you here on my blog too 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Doing what you love…how grateful you must feel 🙂 I do like the observation you have made regarding the profound effects that can occur in the translation of works into other languages. Such rich experiences can only increase the quality and depth of your singing.
….it is always the journey and not the destination 🙂 Look forward to your journey continuing in 2016 !
Thanks for dropping by to read my blog it is great to see you on here too 🙂 I couldn’t do this without my parents support and I’m very grateful. I intend to enjoy the journey and how could I not pursuing something I love each day.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a great year you’ve had! I hope that the opportunities to learn and perform continue to come your way in 2016! May it be even better than 2015.
Thank you Trent, watch this space 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
With a year like that, I see why look so gloriously happy in all of your photos! Congratulations on a wonderful year, Charlotte. It is SO much fun for me to keep reading of your experiences as you go forward toward what is sure to be a great career in opera.
Thank you Peter I’m glad you’re enjoying reading my posts it makes it all worthwhile.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks for the good things you have doing. I follow your blog quite ardently and enjoy the things you do. They are quite delightful and beautiful. I hope to continue for a long long time. Don’t ever stop! Sincerely Michael >
Thank you for your lovely message Michael and for commenting on my blog. I hope I don’t have to stop for any reason.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely photos!! Dynamic smile!!
Thank you 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
You certainly achieved such a lot last year. I hope you continue to gain experience in your chosen career this year. The best of luck and lots of love, Clare
Thanks Clare, so do I, so much to learn.
My best wishes to you,
Charlotte
🙂
Wow… awesome… 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Ricardo, I liked your portable vocal recording studio post, that would be useful.
Best wishes
Charlotte
🙂
You look like you are in your element, Charlotte. You look happy doing what you love to do. You are truly blessed not only with talent but with the drive needed to succeed. Blessings and best wishes! 😘
Thank you Janice 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
Thank you Paul, hope you manage to get some rest.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You’re welcome Charlotte:)
Thank you for your well wishes.
Paul
What a fantastic year Charlotte, I’m looking forward to reading about your next year, so exciting xx
I’m in Chester in March Gill I’ll let you know to see if you can make it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a wonderful year in review. No grass grows under your feet Charlotte.It has been a pleasure to follow you. All good wishes for this new year, Darlene
Thanks Darlene 🙂 and good wishes to you too.
All my best
Charlotte
That was quite an action packed year! If actions set up further actions, then your 2016 should be just as action packed as well. And you forgot hours of practicing and studying!
So True, so much easier to do with a purpose in mind.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Also, one sentence jumped out at me about practicing on willing victims.
I travel overseas and I meet people who are studying English and when given the chance to speak to a real life American; they freeze up and do not want to speak. Learning involves accepting that you are lacking the skills to be great and to obtain it; you may have to mess up and look foolish. If you try and mess up and laugh it off and try again; you will improve.
Have a great week!
Oh there were many times I absolutely baffled people like the time when I asked for a chicken with no guts ( bravery ) when and I was trying to buy a chicken without the giblets 🙂 But I do enjoy trying. Thanks Steve and you have a fabulous week.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Yes, I have been following your career for some time now and no one can be happier for you and your rising success!!
You were one of my very first blog follows GP, so happy you’ve stayed along for the course.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You’re not a quitter and neither am I.
‘Zerlina’ is a new role for 2016? Excited for you.
Thanks Eric, I’m waiting to hear more, I think we’re doing it in English recit and Italian arias which is going to be different 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, you have to speak English when you’re telling me things. Honestly. 🙂 I’m going to look in the Dictionary for a couple of these words, no problem.
😀 new scrabble words always useful hehe
If you’re planning to top that performance this year, you will have your work cut out indeed!
I agree that the original languages generally sound better. Although some translators do manage a remarkable job of retaining the poetry and ‘feel’.
Perhaps I could be cheeky and ask if you have any examples of superb translations that retain the poetry and feel of the piece, I wonder if some languages are easier to translate than others, I’m finishing off my research piece next week.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Unfortunately I’m not enough of a linguist to remember any offhand in the musical scene – however the English translation of Asterix comes to mind.
Ideally, the languages should have similar numbers of syllables. Note the difficulty with “Il segreto per esser felici” from Lucrezia Borgia. Straight away one is faced with a problem on ‘the secret’ because ‘the-e secret’ sounds contrived. Then ‘of being happy’ can perhaps be overcome with ‘towards being’, but ‘ha-a-a-a-a-a-py’ is no substitute for ‘feli-i-i-i-i-i-ci’. There may be an effective translation, but this is just off the top of my head as I know the words – mainly because I love the concept of making today your friend.
Have you come to any conclusions? Does a translation ever do justice to the source material?
I’ll be finishing my research next week in our Bridge Week and that is one of the final pieces in the jigsaw to try to see if certain languages translate better than others. I hope I can find several good examples.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Looking forward to it. Good luck with your research! BT
What a busy, productive year! And you are a chameleon!
Absolutely, you’re not the first person to mention my chameleon ability 🙂 thanks Noelle.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hello Charlotte, thank you for following my blog! Good luck with your musical career. I am a former Ox Uni Music student 🙂
Thanks Laura, which instrument?
Several nice photos here. You had a stellar year. Hope 2016 is also grand.
You’ve certainly had quite the musical adventure! 🙂