Hannah Peverley is learning the rôle of Carmen in Bizet’s opera. Répétiteur Caroline Dowdle is taking her through the famous Habañera. This process is the start of finding a personal interpretation of a well known work. For the singer, learning goes through several stages. Hannah has found a basic path through the detail of notes and words in a mechanical way. Now Caroline can start to suggest elements of characterisation, and listen to what the particular voice can make of the score.
Caroline also suggests technical ways of helping to get the notes working precisely. This work is also useful in terms of the general development of HannahΓÇÖs voice, and can supplement the work she does with her singing teacher. Singing notes without words to a tongue trill is a good way of helping to create an even, legato, sound. It also identifies places where pitch and rhythm need attention. The words can then be put back onto a solid technical foundation of pure voice.
