Martial Singher coaches "Un bel dì"

Martial Singher coaches "Un bel dì"
Accompanist: James Massengale
From Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini (1904)
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on the short story "Madame Butterfly" by John Luther Long (1898) and the novel, Madame Chrysanthème, by Pierro Loti (1887)
Archive video from THE FESTIVAL OF LEARNING AND PERFORMING, 1983
One fine day, we'll see a thread of smoke rising
From the far edge of the sea,
And then the ship appears.
Then the white ship enters the port.
It rumbles a greeting.
You see? He's come!
I don't go down to meet him. Not I.
I take my place there on the edge of the hill
And I wait, I wait a long time,
And the long wait doesn't bother me.
A man has come out of the crowd of people.
A little figure nears the hill.
Who can it be? Who can it be,
And how has he come here?
What will he say? What will he say?
He will call Butterfly from afar.
I, without replying, will stay hidden,
Partly to tease him, and partly
So I don't die of happiness at the first meeting,
And he, in some pain, will call out.
He will call, "Little one, little wife, fragrant blossom,"
The names he gave me when he came.
All this will happen, I promise you.
You have your fear; I hold my faith.
I wait for him.
Exsultate! Productions is proud to host the video archives of the FESTIVAL OF LEARNING AND PERFORMING. The Festival was created in the early 1970's by Susan Brenner to give young singers the opportunity to work with master artists, and apply their knowledge by performing in the community. Classes were open to the public and encompassed the interpretation of opera, art song, operetta and musical theater, as well as movement and physical conditioning. Classes with Charles Roe, Calvin Simmons, and Martial Singher were videotaped for the Festival's archives, allowing new audiences to be inspired and enriched by the great teaching that is the legacy of Susan Brenner.
Martial Singher (1904-1990) debuted at the Paris Opera in 1930, and at the Metropolitan Opera in 1943, where Virgil Thomson wrote of his "incomparable elegance" and "perfection of vocal style." He sang for 12 seasons at the Met, also appearing with the opera companies of Chicago and San Francisco, with leading orchestras, and in recital. He taught at Mannes College of Music, the Curtis Institute, and Music Academy of the West, and received the order of Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. In 1983 he published "An Interpretive Guide to Operatic Arias."

[@operabilia]

Maestro Singher was amazing! So many singers who conduct master classes should find some inspiration here!

[@thehix]

What an amazing man !!

[@spintoh]

Who is the singer?