Neal Harrelson New York City Voice Teacher

Wow!

The Nearly Lost Work of a ‘Born Opera Composer’ Returns Only one copy survives of Carolina Uccelli’s 1835 opera “Anna di Resburgo.” The story behind it is a human one, touching and somewhat sad.

Gedda! Need i say more?

"The World of Nicolai Gedda" Documentary Film, 1968 "The World of Nicolai Gedda" An hour long documentary that contains remarkable performances of Gedda in his prime.

On the topic of body connection in singing:

Enrico Caruso said to: "feel the tone vibrating all down inside the body."

Richard Tucker said the tone: "is made by the big breath held in the lungs, and never by the vocal cords."

Rosa Ponsell said to: "to feel tone going deeper and deeper and deeper into the body."

In my teaching to develop lower body connection, I use the "NG" as in the word singING as a tool to develop this connection.

"NG" before any vowel initiates a response in diaphragmatic activity and allows the singer to find the "true" mask sensation.

Try this exercise:

1.Breath low into the body, at the tail bone or at least under the backside of the ribs.

2. At the end of the inhalation, just before phonation allow the forward arch of the sternum and slight engagement of the abdominal muscles - some singers feel this by leaning on the sternum. Be mindful not to allow lifting the ribs upward after the inhalation but seek a released, slightly downward feeling or vertical stretch of the ribs.

2. On a single sustained pitch sing NG-[i]-NG. you can adapt the exercise beyond a single tone once the singer has found/identifies this action and maintain action for a few seconds. You can also introduce other vowels into the exercise and increase the duration of from single tone to the addition of other intervals. Work slowly: 1-2-1, 1-2-3-2-1 etc. pattern as the singer is able to maintain this position.

What are your observations about the torso? Does it feel vertically expanded?

What are your sensations regarding the diaphragm? Engagement of the abdominal muscles? The pelvic floor?

Is there release at the vocal folds and laryngeal musculature or are you forcing/pushing air out. Do you have a sense of sitting in the body?

I say this to my students often but William Vennard in his book
"SINGING-the Mechanism and the Technique (page 212)" states it as well.

"there should never be a question as to which register to use. The answer is always: Both!"

I don't recall reading it here before but ran across it this morning.

Robert was one of my mentors when I was a graduate student at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and an apprentice in the Knoxville Opera Company. At that time Maestro Lyall was the conductor of the Knoxville Opera Company. It was a wonderful experience for me. I sang Parpingnol in LA Boheme, Don Basilio in Le Nozze di Figaro and a small role an opera commissioned by the opera company "Rachel" by Kent Coe. His presence in opera will be greatly missed. RIP Maestro.

Cancer claims US opera chief - Slippedisc New Orleans Opera has announced the death of...

A long-dead soprano has taken to the stage with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Are holograms the future? The audience was never fooled by the technology. Instead, they were awe-struck. A phrase I heard murmured over and over was: ‘how do they do it?’.

Sad end of Matthew Epstein - Slippedisc Friends of the opera producer Matthew Epstein are...

Happening tomorrow!! Get ye ready to sing along with us!! 🎄🎶❤️ FIRST SONGS OF THE SEASON

Händel | Hallelujah [Chorus from "Messiah HWV 56"] Final movement of second Part of "Messiah", an English Oratorio composed in 1741 by Georg Friedrich Händel.Iscriviti/Subscribe → http://www.youtube.com/c/And...

Tenor Neal Harrelson- Keyes brings his mighty angelic voice to us again at this year’s First Songs concert - accompanied by the always brilliant Tor Morten Kjøsnes!! 🎶🎄😇❤️ Friday December 8th 7:30 pm at GA Lutheran Church 155 E22nd St NYC - FIRST SONGS OF THE SEASON

Justin Austin Named 2023 Marian Anderson Vocal Award Winner - OperaWire Baritone Justin Austin is this year's Marian Anderson Vocal Award winner.

A Paul McCartney world premiere is happening in Cincinnati Paul McCartney's "Liverpool Oratorio" will have its first-ever operatic staging at Cincinnati Opera's 2024 Summer Festival.

Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians Reject Management’s 'Best and Final Offer' - OperaWire The musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra have voted to reject their management’s “best and final offer” ahead of the expiration of the contract between the Philadelphia Orchestra Kimmel Center, Inc. (POKC) and Local 77 of the American Federation of Musicians.

Happy 18th Anniversary, my Love.

Congratulations to these fine people and Artists.

Announcing the 2023 Opera Hall of Fame Inductees Announcing the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees OPERA America is delighted to announce the seven exemplary individuals who will be inducted into the Opera Hall of Fame as the Class of 2023:

What a tremendous loss. I had the pleasure of working with her many times.

Obituary: Legendary Soprano Renata Scotto Dies at 89 - OperaWire Legendary soprano Renata Scotto has passed away at the age of 89.

Met Opera in Central Park. Perfect night!

Raise your hand if you feel you are a confident piano player. ✋

I want to introduce you to a method for conquering your frustration at the piano, once and for all.

My friend, Dr. Regina Zona, is a former opera singer/current cabaret singer and has been teaching voice and piano in universities around the country and in a thriving private studio for over 34 years. About a year and a half ago, she created Singer Savvy Academy where she offers online courses specifically for singers who want to transform into confident, well-rounded musicians, performers, and artists.

And she’s hosting a FREE masterclass to show you how to finally gain some mastery at the piano.

In the training, you’ll learn:

👉The 3 skills that every singer needs to level-up their piano playing
👉How to apply these 3 skills to any piece of music in any style/genre
👉How these 3 skills can save you money and time to support your singing/teaching
Trust me, you want to be there.
Register here: Raise your hand if you feel you are a confident piano player. ✋

I want to introduce you to a method for conquering your frustration at the piano, once and for all.

My friend, Dr. Regina Zona, is a former opera singer/current cabaret singer and has been teaching voice and piano in universities around the country and in a thriving private studio for over 34 years. About a year and a half ago, she created Singer Savvy Academy where she offers online courses specifically for singers who want to transform into confident, well-rounded musicians, performers, and artists.

And she’s hosting a FREE masterclass to show you how to finally gain some mastery at the piano.

In the training, you’ll learn:

👉The 3 skills that every singer needs to level-up their piano playing
👉How to apply these 3 skills to any piece of music in any style/genre
👉How these 3 skills can save you money and time to support your singing/teaching
Trust me, you want to be there.
Register here: Raise your hand if you feel you are a confident piano player. ✋

I want to introduce you to a method for conquering your frustration at the piano, once and for all.

My friend, Dr. Regina Zona, is a former opera singer/current cabaret singer and has been teaching voice and piano in universities around the country and in a thriving private studio for over 34 years. About a year and a half ago, she created Singer Savvy Academy where she offers online courses specifically for singers who want to transform into confident, well-rounded musicians, performers, and artists.

And she’s hosting a FREE masterclass to show you how to finally gain some mastery at the piano.

In the training, you’ll learn:

👉The 3 skills that every singer needs to level-up their piano playing
👉How to apply these 3 skills to any piece of music in any style/genre
👉How these 3 skills can save you money and time to support your singing/teaching
Trust me, you want to be there.
Register here:

Singer Savvy Academy | Transform into the Confident Musician Every Singer Wants to Be Transforming Savvy Singers into Confident Musicians, Performers, & Artists “Everything but the Voice Lessons!” View our online courses now! Confidence comes from more than great singing. Whether you are a professional, aspiring professional, or avocational singer, voice lessons alone are not eno...

RIP Ms. Bunbury

Trailblazing opera star Grace Bumbry dies at age 86 The celebrated singer, who led an illustrious, jet-setting career, broke the color barrier as the first Black artist to perform at Germany's Bayreuth Festival.

This is an amazing, amusing story.

Jump-in saves rare opera by singing it sight unseen - Slippedisc Astonishing events at Leipzig where Emmerich Kálmán’s little-known...

Ryan Speedo Green Wins 2023 Beverly Sills Award - OperaWire The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Ryan Speedo Green is the winner of the 2023 Beverly Sills Award; this is the second time that he receives the distinction following a victory in 2021 when he was named alongside four other artists.

https://www.ign.com/articles/wicked-will-be-split-into-two-separate-movies

Wicked Will Be Split Into Two Separate Movies - IGN Jon M. Chu has announced that Universal Pictures' upcoming adaptation of Wicked will be two films.

RIP Ms. Lynn. We will never forget you and your music. You will be missed.

Loretta Lynn, coal miner's daughter and country queen, dies Pillar of country music was 90

As we approach the end of summer and attention turns to the fall audition season, should you find yourself in search of a voice teacher, I invite you to have a lesson with me.

My students range from seasoned professionals to talented, ambitious young singers eager to get their careers on the move. They perform on the stages of Broadway theaters in New York City, the Metropolitan Opera House, concert tours around the world, off – Broadway productions, national tours of Broadway shows, regional opera companies in the US and Europe, and cruise ships around the globe.

I am privileged to work with Grammy Award winning artists and Tony Award Nominees and those who are putting in the hard work to achieve their own awards and accolades.

I have a limited number of spaces available for the fall. I look forward to helping you become a better singer and meet the goals to which you aspire.

You may contact me at:
[email protected]
(917) 974-2558



Find the voice you never knew you had.

Best

Neal

HUGE LOSS TO THE OPERA WORLD.
Rip Ms. Gruberova.

https://slippedisc.com/2021/10/breaking-a-mighty-soprano-has-fallen/

RIP: A mighty soprano has fallen - Slipped Disc RIP: A mighty soprano has fallen

Maria Callas
https://www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/images/1169292/maria-callas-statue-to-be-unveiled/

Maria Callas statue to be unveiled | eKathimerini.com The Maria Callas Greek Society will unveil a statue of the renowned American-born Greek soprano Maria Callas on Friday afternoon in central Athens.

https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/now-casting-a-music-video-short-film-needs-background-talent-74064/?utm_campaign=Daily%20Jobs%20National&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=167279686&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8lrfyTS7MvY-wnBCjuWir64YgaoSax8WPc9ZqBeiHXCM1nDN5OjtM7jQoxqXJB2enOEiXg_ynVKFz55ojrDBRABjSTlw&utm_content=167279686&utm_source=hs_email

Now Casting: A Music Video/Short Film Needs Background Talent + 3 More Gigs Start your work week off in play mode with today’s top gigs!

https://operawire.com/jose-carreras-farewell-concert-to-be-broadcast/

José Carreras Farewell Concert to be Broadcast - Opera Wire (Credit: © Doppiaa) The Wiener Staatsoper is set to broadcast José Carreras’ farewell concert on ORF. The concert, which is set to be held on Sept. 14, 2021, will be broadcast on Oct. 3, 2021. Carreras will bid farewell to the State Opera in a gala that will also feature Elīna Garanča and Lore...

Thinking of Giuseppe Di Stefano on his 100th Birthday today.

https://instagram.com/stories/placido_domingo/2624908999652702457?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&utm_medium=share_sheet

Plácido Domingo (@placido_domingo) • Instagram photos and videos 243k Followers, 162 Following, 1,508 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Plácido Domingo ()

https://operawire.com/met-opera-postpones-anna-netrebko-concert-cancels-early-2021-22-production/

Met Opera Postpones Anna Netrebko Concert, Cancels Early 2021-22 Production - Opera Wire The Metropolitan Opera has announced changes to the beginning of its 2021-22 season. In a statement the company said “After 16 months of closure, the Met has had to make some changes to the start of the 2021–22 season to accommodate the necessary technical preparations.” As a result, the Met h...

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/aug/10/adele-vocal-cord-surgery-why-stars-keep-losing-their-voices

Why do stars like Adele keep losing their voice? The long read: More and more singers are cancelling big shows and turning to surgery to fix their damaged vocal cords. But is the problem actually down to the way they sing?