London always seems to me to be a microcosm. A capital of the world. Yes, there are symbols of English patriotism everywhere you walk; but I’ve never been surrounded by so many different nationalities, cultures, languages and with one thing in common: a distinct desire to support each other as Londoners regardless of whether they’ve been here 2 months or an entire lifetime.
My time in Helsinki enriched my life as a musician largely from observing musicians of other nationalities and my first year in London has been no different. My Spanish friends have taught me to throw myself into performing with passion and honesty. My friends from Paris have taught me to go to more concerts and learn from other singers’ interpretations and my American friends have taught me to love the voice I have been given and not to ever wish it sounded different.
Upon returning from spring break, I began rehearsing for our second set of scenes. This semester, I was given the role of Aminta in Mozart’s Il Re Pastore alongside my lovely colleague Claire Swale as Elisa. As a trouser role, it was a new experience for me to learn how to walk and act like a boy with the help of a rather fetching cropped wig. The further Claire and I got into the rehearsals, the more comfortable we became with each other and our characters’ romantic chemistry on stage so by the performance, there was a lovely feeling of trust and an ability for us to understand the other’s intentions with only eye contact.
After scenes, I made a swift transition into studying for my final first year recital where I performed a selection of Schoenberg’s Brettl-lieder, songs by Sibelius, Grieg and Rangström, two sensual and romantic songs by Fernando Obradors and a contemporary song cycle by American composer Libby Larsen. The only requirement for my exam was to choose a contemporary idiom written in the last 25 years and my teacher suggested Larsen’s Try Me, Good King: The Last Words of the Wives of King Henry VIII. The selection of 5 songs (with the exception of Katherine Parr who outlived Henry) was an absolute joy to sing. Although a surprising cause of thigh bruises in the early days of learning as I relentlessly slapped out the rhythm, it was incredibly rewarding to perform and I found exploring each Queen’s last thoughts to be fascinating. I became interested in Tudor history as a child but it took a back seat when my musical career began but this time I found that love again and read articles, researched online and watched Wolf Hall and Six Wives with Lucy Worsley to get a better picture of their personalities.
In my last few weeks at The Royal College of Music, I’ve been working on Poulenc’s Les Mamelles de Tiresias, RCM’s summer opera. As part of the chorus and the cover for the role of The Elegant Lady, it has been an intense month with our first dress rehearsal in under a week. This is my first opera at RCM and I thoroughly enjoy not only spending more time working in the Britten Theatre but also being around my colleagues, strengthening friendships and learning from the principals. Our first performance is Wednesday 28th June and I’m absolutely overjoyed to have my father visiting London in early July for our second last performance on Monday 3rd July.
My first year of Masters has been a whirlwind. I’ve been busier than ever but have honestly loved every minute of it. All singers have days when we question the madness we’re getting ourselves into but the days when we walk onto that stage and experience a feeling like no other obliterate all doubt.
Special Thanks
To Rosa Mannion for being a fabulous and ever positive singing teacher, to Nick Sears, the head of the vocal department, for his constant support, to Andrew Robinson my repertoire coach who is a fountain of knowledge, to Richard Jackson my German lieder teacher who fuels my imagination and who could listen to Widmung three times in a row and still have something new to say and most of all to my wonderful family who have given me continual help and advice, have watched by back but have let me live and who have helped me to experience this fabulous year in London.
Photo credit: Claire Shovelton (Chansonnette on Flickr)
Davidona Pittock 