Natural Fabulosity.

The concert today went reasonably well. There was a decent sized audience, with several of my first year girls along to see me which was very sweet. As for Flicky and Siska, well you really had no choice. Haha. I've decided that singing (as well as any performance art or sport) is pretty much a mind game. 75% state of mind:20% hard work: 5% talent. Or something along those lines. I'm glad I've realised this as I used to work myself into such a state before i sang. Now I can feel exhilirated and full of adrenaline, but fewer of the knee-crippling, leg-shaking, can't-breathe, this-is-going-to-be-terrible type of nerves. Those are not fun.

My Smetana aria felt a little disjointed today. It's the first act aria that Marenka sings to Jenicku: Kdybych se co takoveho. Although I think my czech pronunciation came across better than it did in my end of year recital on the 2nd. There was also no slip of words in Non piu di fiori, Vitellia's aria from La Clemenza di Tito. I'd felt a little trepitdation in singing it after my recital but without the added (albeit wonderful) distraction of the clarinet it was back to the usual Tom and I pairing which made things a lot easier. The natural fabulosity of the aria was somewhat tempered by the fact that i completely tensed my jaw as i neared the end, meaning that my high A came out sounding slightly more like a strangled chicken than a (melo)dramatic soprano.

Live and learn.