Week 3

This was a tough week....very tough. This Leporello is big. In terms of the amount of music, recitatives, and stage time.....it is certainly the biggest role I have done. I had no idea how big. As most of you know.....I was something of a "late invitee" to this program. And then......two weeks before the start of the program....my mother fell gravely ill. With me ripping and running back and forth from Ypsilanti to Lansing to Flint and back.....I was hardly able to find the time or energy necessary to focus on learning the role. In fact......things were such that I almost decided to withdraw my commitment to the program due to a family emergency.

When I arrived for the first rehearsal on June 12th...very little was memorized.....and there was still 40-50% that I hadn't even sung through. So....I have had to REALLY play catch up here. I haven't been in this type of situation since sing my very first Italian opera at U of M...La Cenerentola by Rossini....conducted by Martin Katz.

I didn't know then how much my life in opera would be influenced by that experience. Anyone who has ever worked with Martin Katz would surely appreciate my description of the experience as "intense....unique.....and magical"." (To this day, I still regard him as one my best and most favored instructors.) He gave us instructions to have the roles memorized and off book by January. I remember arriving back from Christmas break having 'studied' the role of Don Magnifico....(at least to the best of my knowledge and ability). At that first rehearsal it became immediately apparent that I didn't have a clue. Everyone was so far ahead of me. (I would later come to understand that the overwhelming majority of my colleagues in that cast had extensive backgrounds in Italian.....some were even fluent in conversational Italian....most had already performed several opera roles.....and all of them had been studying voice privately since early adolescents. ) As for me.....I arrived on the scene as a product of the Black church.....the Pentecostal church at that. My musical background was "hear it and sing it"....not "see it and sing it"

To make a long story short: My efforts hitherto were insufficient.....I simply did not know HOW to study this music, language, and character. As a result....I didn't really KNOW the notes...or the details of the rhythms...and my Italian was horrible. Professor Katz wanted to release me from the role...and in his 'special way'.....he made some ado about his disappointment and dissatisfaction with me.

Through that experience, I became well acquainted with how it feels to be the proverbial underdog....and to be thought of as something of a talented minority slacker. However, through that experience I also became acquainted with what it takes to overcome the odds. For the next 3 weeks I would eat and sleep Cenerentola......yes....I had the music on "loop mode" even as I slept...... (I also did a whole lot of praying!!....lol)......and by the time of the March performance...... my Don Magnifico was notably improved. In fact....Professor Katz wrote me a complimentary note of affirmation and apology....which he gave to me on opening night.

Since that time, I have tried to make a habit of showing up as one who is most prepared. And for the most part....I have been successful and consistent in so doing. I've had to work 3 times as hard to bring this Leporello 'online'.....and it has not be without some bit of struggle. I've endured the chastisements of Ms. Arroyo....the minor indiscretions of Maestro Crawford....and the curious glances of some of my colleagues. (Please allow me to be clear...they ALL have been immensely supportive...genuinely kind...and most collegial. I will discuss them more at length some other time.) Nevertheless.....I've more than once considered throwing in the towel. I am not used to having to 'bring up the rear'....and "learn it on my feet" as it were. And again....the Leporello is a HUGE role. It is the biggest role I have learned to date. Imagine my sense of comfort Kenny Overton came to me and shared that "the Leporello was (for him)....the hardest role to learn to date."

Status Report: At this point the first Act is memorized....as is most of the Act 2....now I to finish learning the famous cemetery scene and the Act 2 finale. Such will be my project for the weekend.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
As for this weeks online journal....I have decided to do something a little different. My Week 3 will reviewed be as a pictorial. Enjoy!

Typical Morning in New York
Me waking at 6am.....& leaving the house by 8:30am....(I decided to include this early morning pic for all of you who may be given to think that I take myself a bit too seriously....lol)
















The Entrance of the Subway Station & the Subway











































Catching the 86th Street Crosstown Bus
I only take public transportation if I am running a little behind schedule...and there is no time to for the 70 minute walk












"Things New York"
4 Story Churches
Photo take from the first balcony
In New York, horizontal floor space is at a premium….as a result…mostly everything is built upward….to take advantage of the vertical expanse.






Meals on Wheels
Each morning thousands of New Yorkers line up by the dozens in front of these steal troughs to feast on an assortment of high carb-high-fat....low cost-low nutrition goodies.....
including.....donuts...bagels....
Danishes...pastries...etc...some eve offer bacon and eggs....etc.









Sidewalk Street Vendors
These entrepreneurs are EVERYWHERE….selling EVERYTHING imaginable.













Underground Bodegas
Yes….they even have subterranean markets throughout the subway system.













High-Rise Projects
What would perhaps appear to be a skycrapper to the average Michigander….could just be a 20-story low income housing building…….. “penthouse projects” as it were.









Carry-Carts
Thousands of New Yorkers use these carry-carts to transport goods and merchandise from one place to another.





















Me looking like....'ok...I think I have had just about enough'















Ebony Fashion and Urban Styles
Shoes and Shirts in Harlem
There is no shortage of ‘style’….after all….this is the fashion capital of the world.



























Quick Observations about New York
Homelessness
The homeless situation in New York is unlike any I have ever seen. I should also note that I am seeing far tooooo many seniors citizens living out on the streets…..I mean some look to be in there late 70’s and 80’s. Clearly we all need to do more to prevent this.


Timberland Boots
I see far too many of US clunking through the streets in these clodhoppers….truly the goulashes of the ghetto….why do we insist on wearing them during the hot summer months is beyond me.














Random Scences from NYC
Cloudy Day in Harlem















Cocoa, Mocha, and Latte Folx in New York
Black Men and Handball
At first I thought...."wow...how novel"....then I learned that this was not just another toward eurocentricity.

















Cocoa Folx in Harlem
































Me between rehearsals....and after having lunch on a park bench

















Great Places to Go in New York
Metropoliatan Museum





































Washington Square Park






















Liederkranz
This is the location of our rehearsals.





















Rehearsal of Don Giovanni

































Well...that is enough for now....time for me to give Leporello more of my undivided attention.

For those who didn't know....I have a birthday coming up......July 5th.....yeah.....I will be 26....again!!!.....lol......(just in case you wanna put something in the mail.....or in my checking account......lol)....thank goodness....I am not called for a rehearsal....but I have not yet decided how I will punctuate the day.


Be well,

Darnell



--
"We are limited only by our ability to live our dream, create a climate for change, and to use our resources to their fullest potential." -- Dahneo Ishongo

"State the problem.....but live in the solution" --Padro Harris