Miss Useless News

Meet Miss Useless News!

 Inspired by CreedThoughts@creedthoughts.com from the Office, I decided to start my own blog about life, places I go, and activities I do.

    My name is Holly, and I am an opera singer by trade. Many people think opera singers are just the fat lady who comes out on stage to sing hours of Wagner to a half asleep audience..and for a select few mutants who can sing Wagner's repertoire(regardless of gender), that is true. I am not that opera singer. My passion is in Italian belcanto repertoire, but in all honesty I will sing anything-especially if it is with an orchestra. I feel most alive on stage, and when I realized that fact it made me question "Why don't I feel fully live IRL?" So life is short and why not document how I am living fully off stage?

Here's what I am up to right now. 

Artistically I am learning two roles; Angelina from Trial by Jury and Mimi from La Boheme. Gilbert and Sullivan requires more acting prowess than vocal chops, but their work is fun music and a fun plot for the artist and the audience. Mimi is not entirely new. I learnt most of the role for the Kincardine Festival in 2023. I am excited to finally sing the full role!

 Puccini is deceptively difficult. On the page it looks like simple counting and easy singing ranges for most singers, however there is so much more to it, especially to do it well. The tempo markings and dynamic colours are essential for the work's success. The entire piece is very human; sounds typical, right? By human I mean everyone can relate to the story of these two relationships and almost at any age. Mimi and Rodolfo are a couple that have similar values but an elephant in the room problem; Mimi is enroute to death and Rodolfo feels guilty for not being able to provide financially in her time of need, but also because he is afraid of the pain her death will cause him. Many call him cowardly, but accompanying a loved one to their final earthly destination is not for the faint of heart. Marcello and Musetta are the true love story in La Boheme; They love each other madly, but are also both hot heads. Their bickering is usually the comic relief but everyone knows they are deeply in love. 

In August I will be heading to Australia for an audition at Sydney Opera House, and then to vacation while visiting family. My partner and I are incredibly lucky to have family 'down under' and this trip/audition opportunity is only possible because we have a place to stay. We are going to Sydney and then to the Northern Territory to see Kakadu National park, Litchfield National park and Darwin. we are very excited and can't wait for our adventure to begin. 

I will be writing about my trip so stay tuned. If you hear nothing I'm probably just living my best life...or I have been eaten by a crocodile! 




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