#opera

Sam Darling

Jun 28, 20192 min read

Singing tips

Some of us are born with a nice singing voice, but regardless of natural ability there are things we can do that will improve our...

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Sam Darling

Oct 17, 20184 min read

In praise of Star Trek

There are certain TV shows that became a part of my core personality when I was a kid and watching my eldest totally glom on to Brooklyn...

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Sam Darling

Dec 17, 20171 min read

Harlequin

It’s funny how often the world of opera crops up around me. I’d bought my youngest a large Kinder Egg Surprise that promised to have a...

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Sam Darling

Mar 14, 20161 min read

Maria looking 60s glam

I do enjoy pulling the celebrity-style vintage photos from my family vault to share with you guys. These are from a photo shoot my mother...

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Sam Darling

Mar 14, 20161 min read

The weight of personal history

The trouble with having such a deep knowledge of my family history is I find I must bite my tongue when my kids speak casually of their...

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Vintage French theatrical posters of Daniel Crouet

Sam Darling

May 29, 20151 min read

Vintage French theatrical posters of Daniel Crouet

The items my performer parents accumulated in their long careers sometimes travel down to me in the form of mysterious poster tubes. I...

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Sam Darling

Mar 27, 20151 min read

The Merry Widow

One of my fellow opera nerds made a joke by saying, “Meet you at Maxim’s” and I was transported to Art Nouveau Paris. Only, I could hear...

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Sam Darling

Feb 25, 20152 min read

Opera and cultural sensitivity

I’m doing a production of Madama Butterfly and the set and costume design are what I’ve dubbed “impressionistic” Japanese. We hint at the...

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Sam Darling

Dec 11, 20143 min read

Let’s talk about Mariah Carey

My friend said I needed to do a blog post about Mariah Carey because I went off on an impassioned tirade when some unedited vocal tracks...

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Sam Darling

Oct 20, 20142 min read

Ballerinas are tough as nails

My maternal great aunt Hermine is a spitfire who has always amazed the family with her abundant energy and stubborn streak. She is tiny....

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Sam Darling

Oct 10, 20142 min read

Hair story; herstory

I was represented by an agency and auditioning as a commercial actress so I’ve been expected to keep the same long dirty blonde princess...

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Sam Darling

Sep 24, 20142 min read

The primer for classical singing

It’s almost like a totem. When an individual has signaled their readiness to become a classical singer a teacher will lead them one of...

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Sam Darling

Jul 24, 20142 min read

Physiological response to singing

Many people who learn I sing opera feel compelled to apologize for not liking the art form. It’s okay. I get it. I don’t like opera...

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Sam Darling

Jun 21, 20142 min read

Daniel Crouet & ma sorcière bien-aimée

Many nations have rules around how much broadcast television must be in the native language. This was of particular concern in France...

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Sam Darling

Oct 5, 20132 min read

I’m a time traveler

In America, I was an awkward child. It’s because I’m a time traveler. Opera singers, more than many other artists, spend their entire...

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We’re probably being jerks (to ourselves)

Sam Darling

Feb 5, 20134 min read

We’re probably being jerks (to ourselves)

We’re probably being jerks (to ourselves). Or: Why Beyoncé isn’t the problem I had an important realization today. I was never as ugly as...

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Sam Darling

Jan 21, 20131 min read

Lullabies

Below the beautiful song Laylay by Sövkət Ələkbərova, and the superb animation work from the creative Russian group METRONOME FILM, part...

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Sam Darling

Nov 15, 20122 min read

Opera and kung-fu training

Let us consider the usual story arc of the Kung-fu Hero. Countless hours of practice to make your body achieve inhuman feats… no way...

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Sam Darling

Nov 1, 20122 min read

What is “operatic” material?

I’m a big reader and this week I enjoyed Nuiala O’Faolain’s The Story of Chicago May. [‘Chicago May, one of the few notorious women in...

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Sam Darling

Sep 19, 20123 min read

Opera and body image

Opera can change the way you see women. A before and after of Deborah Voigt. When you first plunge into the world of opera divas you can...

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