A Handbook for the Development of an Expressive Voice - II Breath support

Opening

In my experience, the best way to achieve an optimal pharyngeal opening is the feeling of “happy surprise”. The soft palate automatically rises and the space in the pharynx lengthens without creating tension. There are other ways to achieve this opening, such as “happy ah!” or to think “Super!” or, in the young language of today, “Awesome!” (Important is the exclamation point!) An optimal opening of the throat assists the body posture and activates the breathing muscles of the body. This stretching encourages the sacrospinalis muscles of the back to lengthen. If one were on the ocean and opened the window in the morning to take a deep breath, in full admiration of the gorgeous spectacle, he would very probably attain an optimal opening in the throat. Remember that a certain inspiration is necessary in singing - an inner stimulus - and this inspiration should occur from the very first breath to the last.

Breath support

The muscles of the epigastrium (the muscles around the stomach area) just under the sternum  and the back muscles (the latissimus dorsi) expand in opposite directions, producing a state of “counterpressure”.  “Pressure” does not mean an over-pressure or strain in a negative sense, but a condition of strength like a sportive activity.  This activity, however, is comparable to a high-performance sport - more activity than the normal person on the street for a normal life uses.  A strong, active expansion in the epigastrium and back leads to total relief of tension in the area of the neck, pharynx and lower jaw.
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• Author and date: Brenda Roberts (2008-11-25)
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Concert Chartres, France

Chartres Cathedral
Chartres Cathedral

I am very delighted to have been engaged again for the Chartres Music Festival with a performance on July 11, 2009.  I will be singing the Dvorak Biblical Songs with Johannes Corn, conductor.  The Dvorak songs have become an important part of my repertoire. I find them so expressive in their simplicity.  Part of the concert also will include from Beethoven ’s Fidelio the aria, “Abscheulicher, wo eilst du hin?”  The festival’s motto is “perfect harmony between music and architectural heritage”.

The Chartres Cathedral dates from 1140. During the Second World War the beautiful stained glass windows were removed and hidden in the surrounding countryside to save them from German bombers.

The magnificent Chartres Cathedral has a huge, impressive Rosette window.  Just recently I sang the soprano role in Dvorak’s Stabat Mater.  Singing in the cathedral and looking at this window was awe-inspiring.  This time I will be singing in the St. Pierre church, which has a beautiful ambience, as well.

Saint Pierre Church in Chartres
Saint Pierre Church by night

• Author and date: Brenda Roberts (2008-11-09)
• Permalink: Concert Chartres, France
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