Birgit Nilsson gives some advice...

Splendid Birgit Nilsson lovingly teaches a pupil during a masterclass, back in the 80's.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• soprano
• birgit
• nilsson
• masterclass
• opera
• lirica
• teaching
• donizetti
• elisir
• amore
• joan
• sutherland
• maria
• callas

[Richiesutherland]

She is trying so hard (and with great compassion) to try to get this boy to get both more head and more "mask" (a higher and more forward placement inotherwords), and a more legato approach, all of which would have produced a more brilliant and yet warmer tone, with less constriction. It is unfortunate that most singers at master classes are not able to understand what is being taught, And the extreme nerves of singing for a Nilsson must paralize them as well.

[stickershomeplus]

I commend these young singers for their efforts. It must be the most difficult thing to be a singer - when your instrument is your body, and it has good and bad days.

[Operanobility]

The problem here is that although we men do sing "in the mask", DON'T feel it there like a woman does. Women who teach DEMAND this sense of "in the mask"...and it is very confusing to a young male singer. If we attempt to feel what women demand, our voices get tight, nasal and ugly. Nilsson was a great great singer, but she doesn't understand a man's vocal production.

[calaftheeast]

The tenor has a very nice voice actually. A little 'light' for my taste, but most prefer their tenor with this type of hue so what the heck do I know beyond my tastes?

btw, could Nilsson be any more adorable?

[architecandy]

OMG masterclass with Nilsson?!? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA <3

[BigBassValbisentine]

dunque:ottima come interpretazione,quell'aria deve essere cantata molto legata e leggera,come tecnica vocale mi sembra un pò povera anche se le cose sono giuste.bene

[voceangelo]

I hope he took her advice about the throatiness of his sound. He doesn't have a bad voice at all. It's a damn good raw talent.

[fanufanufan]

I wonder if she asked him to just sing the tones without articulating the words? oh to see the whole class...

[muchomezzo]

That guy has such a beautiful voice, I hope he managed to get the technical advice because I love the voice. Does anybody know if he had a carrer?

[MrNeilsy]

@Greatfan What a beautiful comment about one of my absolute favorite singers of all time. I try hard to approach my own singing in this way. It requires a lot of practice to over come the habits which interfere with this approach to great singing. Many singers don't like to practice and it shows today.

[Miauriceful]

Anyone wants to become anopera singer has to learn Italian German and French, at least.

[Isaviolin]

You dont have to speak German or Italian to understand what shes telling him to do, simple, use what voice teachers call "the mask" and dont sing so stacato.