In the
past week I have seen two of the top mezzo sopranos singing today in concert;
Joyce DiDonato in Hong Kong and Elina Garanca in Guangzhou. What I have
appreciated is not only their fine voices, but their style, musicianship, and
how the characters they portray become so clear to us as a listener.
As young singers, and other mere mortal professionals, we worry about our sound, our technique, but are we truly understanding how many other facets of performing are also important. Don't get me wrong, I love loud, healthy singing! But when we get a 'total package' of pianissimo, thundering high notes, a phrase properly on the breath and presented with feeling, understanding, and a committed choice of presentation, we then are listening to a true artist.
I was able to hear two such artists this week.
