Customer Reviews

Opera Coaching

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who works with professional opera singers on a regular basis. I have a degree in accompanying and have been working in the opera/musical theater world for over 12 years but still this little book covered essential information that I have not encountered anywhere else. It is also a great assurance to the coach who may feel overwhelmed by this unwieldy profession. Immediately after reading this book, I found my coaching techniques to be refined and I was more confident about exactly what I should (and should not) be saying to singers in my coachings with them. I'm also in the position of hiring pianists for staging rehearsals and I wish that all aspiring "repetiteurs" would read this book as well. It thouroughly examines what is expected of the pianist in this unique and sometimes frustrating role. Kudos to Mr. Montgomery for taking some of the mystery out of this mysterious career path. The book is heavier on considerations than on techniques, so perhaps some day a follow-up book could be written (that of course would be a much larger tome) with more specific ideas on how to guide singers to their goals. In the mean time, no book I know will serve the coach/accompanist better in dealing with the challanges of this wonky gig. Mr. Montgomery deserves praise for turning many a gladdening and humorous phrase in a book that could have otherwise been drier than Grout!

I can't write a review of this since I wrote the book itself. But I'll also mention, adding to the above description, that there is much food for thought for singers, conductors, directors, and chorus masters. "Techniques" may refer to ways an opera coach rehearses, but "Considerations" delves into the stylistic aspects of each composer or composition group and what makes one group different from another. There is a rather complete list of vocal Fachs at the end, including many roles omitted in similar lists elsewhere. A "Preferred Edition" section is also part of the Appendix.
As to the number of stars - you think I'm going to give it less than that?