For a bit of fun, this is my animato page ... a gathering of different things, from singing on horses, to a musician’s greatest asset and Art Indelicato’s suggestions. Enjoy!
Equestrian passions
Singing in the show Lipizzaners with the Stars was a golden opportunity for me to combine two great passions of my life: music and horses.
Observing at close range the care and attention devoted to these special animals, who definitely know just how special they are (horses with attitude), was something I never tired of over the months of our association.
For example, watching René, my instructor, patiently lunge the stallion who refused to do the levade at the matinee, because he had his mind on mares! It took René about an hour to win him back and in the evening we all stood with bated breath waiting to see what the horse would do—he was great!
The audience doesn’t know what the horse is meant to be doing, so they cheer at even a little jump, but we knew! and believe me no horse will do anything it doesn’t want to—you have to have aibond, respect and willingness to please.
Riding Geerd (not a Lipizzaner as you can see from the picture, but a magical Friesian) was for me aipersonal challenge. Firstly to ride him and then to sing and keep in time with the orchestra! Phew!
I chose to sing Queen of the Night as the rhythm is constant. Horses are quite musical so provided you encourage them, they can fall into the rhythm with you. My over-ambitious original concept, incorporating Spanish Walk, had to be ditched for a relatively uncomplicated routine at the walk. René assured me he could train me, but that it would take about 2 years, which wasn’t viable. So we just coped with what we could plus the singing—training initially to a CD.
Only one performance was perfect (where Geerd and I completely melded as one). Other times the horse had ai“can’t be bothered” attitude, a cold, etc. But generally, when he saw me approaching in my costume he sort of went “Here‘s my starring moment” plus “Great! Soon I’ll get my licorice!” which I gave him at the end of each performance.
A singer’s relief from jetlag
HumidiFlyer is a mask that I swear by when flying .Instead of arriving with a dried out nose and throat, I arrive refreshed, having slept most of the time and I don’t have to wait 3 days to find my voice again!
Friends around the world
are the musician’s greatest asset!
Try these vocal health tips
Luvos Heilerde—a wonder cure for stomach disorders, available at German pharmacies
A great way to soothe the throat and break down phlegm, is Emser Pastillen, also in German pharmacies
Sage leaves made into a tea or sage bonbons will soothe the throat
Rosehip tea with honey and lemon is also very soothing. However, if your throat is raw, the rule is to stay off all acids
Steam is the singer’s friend. Yes, just plain old steam twice daily—no menthol etc—will assist the healing process when vocal folds are inflamed. Take a long shower, or get a KAZ steamer from your local pharmacy
Horse riding is a wonderful activity which enhances singing through posture, muscular strengthening, body awareness. Horse management also assists with people management!
If you are under emotional, physical or psychological stress or are not sleeping well, don’t expect to be in great voice.
Beautiful ambience
My favourite theatre in Australia and where I have performed the majority of my main stream repertoire during the 80s, is His Majesty’s, Perth.
It has a beautiful ambience, great back stage facilities and the company lives in the building, just like that of aiEuropean House.
There is a great hardback book of 360 pages about the history called … A Dream of Passion: The Centennial History of His Majesty’s Theatre by David Hough on Australia’s most beautiful theatre with its unique contribution to our history across the nation, the great artists who played there and the impresarios who presented them.
Lotte Lehmann Woche
I have had the pleasure of being guest teacher at the Lotte Lehmann Summer School in eastern Germany at Perleberg. It is the prettiest place with the old town surrounded by canals. The people are friendly and the school is well-organised by all concerned. The students were all very responsive and worked extremely hard. The standard goes from beginners to young professional, so there’s something for everyone in a very friendly and supportive atmosphere.
So far it has remained German orientated, but it would be really interesting for international students to consider, especially if you are studying German as well as singing.
The school is a wonderful opportunity to experience a slice of German life, have lessons in German with English as a back-up as all the teachers do speak some English.
Also found in the town, try out your Italian at the ice-cream café run by Italians who have visited Melbourne. And meet Herr Koch who is making mustard and developing recipes of the most exotic nature! His herb mustard is designed for cooking, so all you foodies—music and food do go well together!—watch out for Senf from Perleberg!
Molto Qualita and others
My friend, Art Indelicato, wondered what else MQ stood for? Here are his suggestions …
Magnificent Quality, Memorable Quality, Musical Quest, Maudlinly Quiet, Molto Qualita, Musically Quiescent, Merry Queen, Most Quintessential, Musical Quotient, Memorable Quaife (Quaff?), and Music Queen, …
The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Now, I am not religious in a formalised sense, but I believe in the Universe and this says it all, nicht!
Plus the version by Chris Willcock is sensational with climaxes at all the right places to blow you away …
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love.For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, let me sow pardon
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith
Where there is despair, let me sow hope
Where there is darkness, let me sow light
Where there is sadness, let me sow joy.
My dear late mother and I
