Rachmaninov Vespers
Bit of a hectic week this one. Twins have their first appointment at Great Ormond Street on Wednesday, got the big-wig from Decca here on Thursday to hear Gemma in action and then I’m singing the Rachmaninov Vespers on Friday and Saturday down at the Brighton Festival. My voice is not sounding it’s best due to some sleepless nights with Arthur who has been put on steroids as he ended up with some breathing difficulties after a chest infection. Much better now so I’m hoping to get my voice back in good order by Friday.
Rachmaninov Vespers (written in 1915 -I think) are really low for a mezzo and if I’m not careful I try to over darken my voice to get the Russian correct and end up sounding like I’m pretending to be a Bond girl villain – not the desired effect for such an atmospheric and reflective work!! It’s a great piece. Written against the backdrop of war and revolution, it harks back to centuries old eastern orthodox chant. Unlike anything else he wrote that I know and in my opinion, a masterpiece. Maybe he was unsettled by what was going on in his country and trying to hark back to previous times and something that made him feel more secure? Maybe he resented the suppression of the church he belonged to at this time? I don’t know, but I urge you to download/buy it and have a listen preferably with the lights off.
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david
9:32 pm, May 10, 2010
Thanks for the news Juliette…….lucky Brighton
Hopefully Arthurs lungs will be back to normal soon,
D
Danny
10:26 pm, May 10, 2010
Sorry to hear of Arthur’s breathing problems, and your sleepless nights, Juliette. Hope things rapidly improve for you all.
I’m sure Brighton will go great, and we’ll all get a report back from Freya. Good luck with it all.
The other D!
freya
5:03 pm, May 11, 2010
Sorry to hear about Arthur, poor him and poor you! I hope it gets sorted out soon and that your voice is better for friday! I can’t wait to see you perform again, it’s been way too long! I am bringing my Dad as it’s the night before his 50th birthday and he is really looking forward to it to.
Freya
liz graver
8:30 pm, May 17, 2010
You sounded great Juliette, your Russian vowels and ‘ls’that weren’t there most authentic. Congratulations!
Juliette
8:45 pm, May 17, 2010
SO lovely to see you Freya and hear all your news. Heres to a brilliant couple of years doing A levels.
x