by Michael Mayer | Jan 29, 2009 | Coup de Glotte, Perfect Attack
Perhaps the most important component of the whole singing act is the start of the vibration of the vocal folds. The vibration of the vocal folds (or cords or bands or lips) is the source or the sound we produce. It causes disruptions in the air pressure inside the...
by Michael Mayer | Jan 28, 2009 | Brownlee, Florez, Jussi, Villazon
I caught the Associated Press review in the local paper of Rolando Villazon’s return to the Met. I am sorry to say I am not surprised about his difficulties. I have only heard him on video and recordings but I have always thought he over-sang. The way he thrusts...
by Michael Mayer | Jan 21, 2009 | Metropolitan Opera Auditions
I attended the local regional round of the Met Opera National Council auditions on Saturday. My first observation was there was only one District winner from Minnesota. That is rare. Usually there are several from the Minnesota district because of the Twin Cities...
by Michael Mayer | Jan 20, 2009 | Uncategorized
It has been nearly a year since I posted on my blog. I am ending my hiatus and plan on getting back to regular posts. We had our first child in June, a daughter, and that has taken me away from doing much work. We now have regular child care so I can get back to work....
by Michael Mayer | Feb 11, 2008 | Uncategorized
People often wonder what is meant by the Swedish/Italian School that we talk about. First, when we speak of schools of singing we mean a school of thought. An approach to the training of the voice that is associated with the practices of a certain group. For the most...
by Michael Mayer | Jan 22, 2008 | breath
I have many people come to me either in person or over the Internet with some problem or other and tell me that their last teacher told them they needed to remedy the issue with more breath. This advice has tended to be the solution to every vocal problem for many...
