My 5th week is over....and my performance is on Friday July 21 at 7:30pm. This will likely be my last entry until some time after the performance. Again I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to read these entries....and particularly those of you who have responded by praying for me or by sending me words of encouragement.

Being in New York preparing this role with Ms. Arroyo's Prelude to Performance opera training program has both encouraged and emboldened my will and desire to make a career in opera my full-time pursuit. (More on that after the performance.)

As for now....this is tech week....which means we will now have a series of full run through rehearsals at the auditorium, on-stage, with lights, in costum and with a full orchestra. (Uhh...did I mention....Leporello has about 1:40 minutes worth of music.....and the opera is roughly 2:30 hours.) I will be mindul to review all of my Leporello at least 50 times before the Friday performance. No more time for talking.

For this entry....I have tried to include even more photos....and even less words. Enjoy and be well,
Darnell

PS. A very special thank you to Mrs. Verna Holley (my high school music teacher). I was so very surprised and completely thrilled to recieve your letter the other day......I am eternally gratefull to you for giving me the gift of exposure.....you have been....and continue to be....a God-send......any measure of success and favor that befalls and overtakes me is due in part to your early tutetledge and cultivation.......I owe you an enormous debt...and will seek to pay it forward to the generations to come.

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Upon Whose Shoulders I Now Stand - part 1 It is important to have role models, accessible mentors, and examples. Here are just a few of mine. (From left to right -Simone Estes, Robert McFerin, Simon Estes, William Warfield, Willard White, George Shirley, Nmon Ford)

De Organizer -1 First of all....every great performer must learn how to make an entrance.....particularly if you are a principle charector.







De Organizer -1 A good 'buffo' charactor artist must learn how to use his facial expressions to communicate comedy and/or to add more color and dimension to a charactor.











De Organizer -3 Learning stage combat is often an essential part of ones development and presentation in opera.








Sometimes we have to dance....on stage!
I REAL challenge for me with my proverbial two left feet.









And sometimes we have create chemistry and 'be in love' with a person whom we just met. Here I am with Monique Holmes....we did have any problems with chemistry.....lol.









La Cenerentola - 1 Whether one is seated in a chair, laying on the floor, crouched under a table, or doing cartwheels across the stage, one must learn to sing while having the body in what ever position that the stage director dictates.








Like I said....one must learn to sing in ANY postion!











La Cenerentola - 2 Most principle roles will require one to sing a number of musical selections including arias, duets, trios, quartets, sextets, and chorus numbers.
















Kings, villians, fathers, buffos and "old-man roles" are typically written for the Bass - Baritone voice. Here I play Don Magnifico.....the father of Cenetentola....otherwise know as Cinderella.







La Cenerentola - 3 In order to make an impact on an audience of upwards of 3,000 people, it is essential that the artist make their charectorizations a vivid, colorful, and 'bigger than life' as is artisticaly possible.








La Cenerentola - 4 Whether playing shock, disappointment, frustration, surprise, glee, sadness, stealth, anger or whatever...."Everything must be VERY VERY..."
















Gionvanni - 1 Just like in life.....opera is not without sex, sensuality and seduction. Here Tanying Dong (Zerlina) and Jonathan Spuhler have a 'make-up' moment.
















Gionvanni - 2 The end of a Mozart opera is typically signified with a staged 'line-up' during the singing of the last number in the Finale.











Gionvanni - 3 Jason McKinney (Don Giovanni) recieves notes from Maestro Steven Crawford.












Gionvanni - 4 The rest of the case recieves notes after a run-through of Act 1












Upon Whose Shoulders I Now Stand - part 2 Legendary coach/accompanist Maestro Warren Williams honors us with a surprise visit to our rehearsal. He also shared with me some invaluable insights, advisements and critiques on my Leporello.








Ms. Arroyo with Ken Benson artists manager at Columbia Artist Management, Inc.


















Prelude to Performance singers and Ms. Arroyo pose for photo with Ken Benson of Columbia Artist Management following his amazing master class exploring the nuts and bolts of artist managment in opera.









Me with Eleni Calenos (Donna Elvira)













Me with Alia Waheed (Donna Anna)













Me with Luis Cabera (Don Ottavio)













Me with Andrea Arias (Zerlina)


















Me with Jason McKinney (Don Giovanni)













Me with Alicia Moran (Donna Anna)


















MOT for Me? - This is how I looked when I got of the phone with the Assistant Artistic Director from Michigan Opera Theater. And get this.....I was standing in the lobby of the Metropolitan Opera House when I took his call. (Is that prophetic or what??) In any case....it was my first request for professional work. I had to call my mama and share with her the news. That is me on the phone with her....lol.












"I Dunno....Just Because" shots - 1
Catching the elevator on my way to rehearsal.

















"I Dunno....Just Because" shots - 2
Catching the train uptown on my way from rehearsal.

















"I Dunno....Just Because" shots - 3
Crossing through Central Park on my way to rehearsal


















Pricy Pad 1- How much does one pay in Manhattan for a 7th Story Corner aparenent with a panoramic view? I don't know....but...I sure do want one!...lol

This the the view from the living room in Rod's apartment.







Pricy Pad 2 - Turn slightly to the left and this is also the view from the living room in Rod's apartment.











A Movado With Bravo - This magnanimus marvel of marble is located not a stones throw from Linclon Center. Yes, it is a real Movado!

















Pretty in Pink? - I don't know....I tell you....anytime I wear something pink or pastel....I get tons of compliments about how well it suits me....remarks from friends and strangers alike.....I don't know....maybe I need a permanent make-over.













Without Any Direction - Stage director Laura Alley and I happend to wear the same color coordinates....so....I took a picture.

















Park Avenue Puppy Poopers - 1 From the elevators to the resturants to the trains....I see dogs everwhere. And too often...I can see the evidence of wear they have been.










Park Avenue Puppy Poopers - 1 At least this
Park Avenue resident was mindfull to clean up behind her beast. This city could sure us more like her.










Pigeon Soup? - Rats! These winged rats! Whatever happend to pigeon soup?













Look and Live! - Always cast your gaze upward....never surrender....and never die!

















Outter Limits? I think the contour and angle of this photo kinda makes me look something like an alien from outer space. (or maybe it just took 20lbs off of my apperance...lol)










Subway 101 - 1 Metro riders pass through these turnstiles to get to the trains or to access the stairway to the streets above.











Subway 101 - 2- Metro riders can purchase a metro card at any one of these automated machines.











Aspiring Artist and Working Professionals - Here my good friend Mikal shares a horrific tale of how he incured an eye injury while playing tennis. He is an actor and cinematographer.










Choice Jamaican? - This just may become my 'new' Jamaican spot. Mikal turned me on to it. The jerk chicken was the best I've had since my summer in Kingston 10 years ago. The slow service was also reminiscent of the same.









Who's Child Is This? - 1 Apparently, a large population of ethinic women (both immagrant and native) work as nanny's and personal care assistants for wealthy New Yorkers.










Who's Child Is This? - 2 I see this scene countless times throughout my day.

















From Futility to Ingenuity? -
It was a hot Satruday afternoon, and these two youngsters appeared to be trying to see who could spue water the farthest.










Sidewalk Picnics in Harlem - No, she is not selling rib dinners....this is food production is strictly for her family and close friends.











Fruit Vendors in Harlem - Some of which have the artistic ability to carve a pineapple and make it look like a petunia!











Double Decker Tour Bus - One could easily spot a 100 of these in one day.












Sidewalk Cafe's in the Village - If you know me.....you KNOW I enjoy good food.....but I really don't think I would enjoy eating even the finest of delicacies while perched at a tiny table out on a crowd and busy sidewalk.









Saturday Afternoon Basketball Game in the Village - 1 Yup....they had uniforms, officials and everything.











Saturday Afternoon Basketball Game in the Village - 2 And yes....the people crowd the sidewalk to view the spectacles performed by the wiry specimens.










Village Views - 1 Just happened turn a corned while in the Village and there it was....this amazing view.











Village Views - 2 I looked back over my shoulder...and there was this one.

















Thanks for dropping by. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN SOON!