Campbell Vertesi

The images in your mind tend to come through in everything you are doing, whether you want them to or not. Opera in a house of 3,000 or more, requires different acting technique than opera in a house of 800 (which in my view is more fun). In a large house, only the first few rows may get subtle acting, so your body must 'speak' to the entire house. If you set a goal to communicate a specific subtext, then you will tend to perform, both consciously and subconsciously, toward that goal. With a solid vision of high standards, over time, you will reach your goal.

 I heard bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff sing Schumann's "Dichteliebe" in a packed house of about 3,000. It had never been one of my favorite song cycles, but this was one of the most moving performances I've ever experienced. The lady next to me wept for five minutes into the intermission. There was all kinds of subtext going on, and I think everyone in the hall got it on some level. Part of the context for his performance was his body. He is only three feet tall; a dwarf. (He has a great recording of it, which has become one of my favorites.)

About 40 years ago, I attended a recital by William Warfield in a hall of about 1,200, and I still remember it like yesterday. I sat on the back row, and although I may not have "got" all the subtexts in his performance, I got something very powerful. The whole audience remained standing for the last two of his five encores, and I think we all wept during the last one, "Old Man River."

You are absolutely right to establish the highest standard of performance you can imagine, even if at first you don't know how to make it happen. Also, there are times that your level of learning must be at a higher level than that of the available teaching. Your audience doesn't care where or how you learn it.

Best wishes.

Michael Kysar
The Performing Mind™
http://www.pfco.com