Text and Notes- The Chicken and the Egg

So, in looking at my daunting used Ricordi La Traviata score- the inevitable question arises...how do I begin? Translations first? Or notes first? Then work on the pronunciation? Well, how I usually do it is in exactly that order- translate the entire opera (everyone's parts), then work on the notes- usually on a neutral vowel or buzzing "chipmunk" sound, then, I put it together with pronunciation work done immediately before hand. But- you know what- I don't think this method is working and I don't think it's the way to approach La Traviata.

The first reason is what I stated above: whatever I am doing isn't working. I feel like it takes weeks/months of work and the light bulb never goes off, and more importantly, I never get the job. Hence, I am willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater in hopes of finding the dirt, cleaning it off, and continuing the process. Reason two has to do with Verdi's over-lording (not over-seeing, mind you) approach of working with the librettist, Francesco Maria Piave. Piave didn't really have much independent input; it's very much a marvel he gets credit at all. Therefore, it is my belief that the story told the music and the music told the text, instead what usually happens- or, at least in lieder with poetry dictating the musical line.

With these two reasons I am trying a revolutionary approach- all three at once! Yes, learning the notes on oo and ah, speaking the text, translating and and slowly putting it together (which goes something like oo..alfredoo..oodioo..mi moonchi...etc).

I have no idea if this will work!

5 minutes later- a light bulb went off- it's already happening! I had a strong lieder background and always went to the poem first, but perhaps opera has a larger and more integrated relationship with the emotional scope of the character's journey and the lyrics are the guideposts that keeps the emotions moving forward?

...onward with the dirty bath water!

"We'd Be Surprisingly Good For You!"

Dear Friends,
Sorry I haven't been up to my blogging self-- I have a new cabaret show this Sunday, November 14th- 8 pm at The Triad (72nd between Amsterdam and Columbus). Hope to see you there!