Scrolling through Twitter this morning, I came across a post which suggested that opera singers feign a preference for popular music over classical music in order to appear cool. This immediately caught my interest, not least because the post was in response to a newspaper interview in which a good friend of mine expressed his … More What are you listening to?
Bad nights. We’ve all had them. I’ve certainly had my share over the last 25 years. For as long as I’ve been singing, I’ve dreamed of one day singing Wotan at Bayreuth, and, last Tuesday, in Das Rheingold, I finally got my chance. And I sucked. Big time. Why? I simply couldn’t breathe properly. When … More Suck it up.
Previously on Walhall of a Mess :- Walhall of a Mess Walhall of a Mess – Part Dieu So I went for a walk. Not your average Sunday afternoon stroll, mind you, but a proper walk. Real Forrest Gump-style stuff. Not exactly sure how long I’ve been gone, but I reckon it must be … More Walhall of a Mess – Sieg3d, The Final Insult
America is a big place. The “land of the free and the home of the brave” was conceived by the founding fathers as a place of equality, idealism and opportunity, a land of plenty, a fresh Utopia where everything would be better, fairer, and, apparently, much, much bigger. I’m always startled by the sheer bloody … More Don’t push it!!!
They say you never forget your first time, and it’s absolutely true. I was an 18-year old music student in Glasgow the first time I heard Wotan’s Farewell. Sitting in the music library, headphones on, listening to an LP (that’s a Long-Playing vinyl recording, for those who are too young to remember, or so old … More The Old Bastard
The old AyePatz bleurgh has been sporadic at best these past few months, owing to a hefty/borderline insane schedule that has seen me taking on Kurwenal, Hans Sachs, and Walküre Wotan in just five hectic months. All three roles have been new to my repertoire, and, unfortunately, whenever I’ve had the urge to set down … More Genug der Wort’!
Previously on Walhall of a Mess :- Walhall of a Mess Women. Can’t live with them, can’t smite the bejesus out of them. Normally, I’m no misogynist. I like the ladies – I’m a lover AND a fighter, after all – but I’ve been drowning in a tsunami of estrogen all day here. First … More Walhall of a Mess – Part Dieu
“What advice would you give a young singer starting out on a career?” the little boy asks the mighty Odin. He ponders for a moment. “Get out on the stage as often as possible and build experience.” Aaaaaaand… <scene>. He probably didn’t know it at the time, but with these words, John Tomlinson described for me the arc that my career … More God Almighty
In Norse mythology, Odin sends two ravens called Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory) out into the world to acquire information and knowledge for him. Handy that. I could really use them right about now. Instead, I have to stick iTunes on repeat and brew yet another vat of coffee. Such is the difference between Wotan … More Huginns on Muninn
“Wax on… wax off…” Wise words from the little Okinawan caretaker who was secretly the greatest Karate grand-master of all time. Much like Yoda, and the venerable Master Po from Kung Fu, Mr Miyagi could enlighten even the dimmest of intellects with a well-chewed morsel of fortune-cookie wisdom. Ply any self-respecting male of my generation … More Crane Technique – why Mr Miyagi is the greatest singing teacher of all time
Flying sucks. Queues, delays, cramped legs, wailing children, lost luggage, unfettered, inescapable body odour. People with an inability to maintain a constant walking pace whilst moving in a straight line. Hobbits under five feet tall smiling smugly from the emergency exit seats. It’s all just part of the thankless bean-feast that is international air travel. … More Over the Rainbow-Bridge
