Eri tu (from the opera Un Ballo in Maschera) is one of the big challenges of the baritone repertoire. Nick Fowler is being coached by composer Michael Finnissy in some of the elements of characterisation to be drawn from the musical content of VerdiΓÇÖs score.
At this early stage of preparing an aria, a lot of evidence can be drawn from the words and music to provide a firm foundation for subtle interpretation at a more developed stage of rehearsal. When they are young, singers may choose to learn heavy r├┤les that they will not perform until later stage in their careers, when the voice has matured. Over and above their vocal challenges, many great operatic r├┤les require a lifetime of study, discussion and thought.
