Jane's Blog

Shadow Boxing - Practice Without Pressure

2010-02-01T14:28:00.003-05:00

Shadowing boxing or imagination in pictures, used as a practice technique, is another form of practice, instead of, or in addition to, really singing scales or playing them. It's amazing how profitable this is and it requires relaxation, which is, of course, part of the desired 'practiced' end-result.

Modest Mussorgsky's Artistic Profundity

2010-01-31T13:35:00.002-05:00

Proceeding from the conviction that human speech is strictly controlled by musical laws, Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky considered the function of art to be the reproduction of musical sounds not merely of feelings, and this applied, first and foremost, to his feeling about human speech in relation to music-his music in particular: "Art is a means of communicating with people, and not an aim in itself. This guiding principle has defined the whole of my creative activity." Modest Mussorgsky

Love & Approval - Difference?

2010-01-14T09:39:00.002-05:00

The beautiful essence of an act is lost to the wind, if all that would be important is the kill, the win, the high number...However the worst symptom of perfectionism is the perfectionist's lack in seeing the difference between "love" and "approval."
Seems like this could be the "heart" of the matter!

Advent Weeks to Epiphany

2010-01-06T16:35:00.001-05:00

As we know, the meaning of Advent is 'in preparation' and Epiphany is the day Jesus was 'revealed' and 'manifested' to the Three Wise Men and to the world. I have preoccupied myself with the theme of Advent and Epiphany for some time, and, in my adoration of Christmas, I have sought out delicious, often lesser known, song repertoire, which, during my world travels, I have included into some of my themed recitals. I find the international public response, whether in Vienna, Brescia, Nice, Como, or Düsseldorf..., to be enthusiastic interest in hearing wonderful works from various composers and poets, often having won fame for other creations of theirs. Some countries of our Western World observe the journey from the Advent Weeks to Epiphany on different dates, but the love and spiritual devotion is none-the-less similar and a wonderful basis for lifting barriers to universal and communal celebration.

Epiphany

2010-01-05T10:12:00.003-05:00

"Oh child of man! Hold your step so true.
The kings did wander, so wander you too!
The star of mercy, the star of love,
Is bright’ning your goal, while you seek your Lord,
And failing Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh,
Offer your heart to your Savior so dear." JM

New Year Zest for Best

2009-12-30T15:20:00.003-05:00

“The entrance of a NEW YEAR
Chimes and echoes of Holiday cheer,
It’s all about that, which conquers,
And quite less of that, which falters…
There’s encouragement of unfilled dreams
And visions of that esteemed.
Nothing wants to be easy peasy,
Tho' looks toward vast and quantum leapings.
There’s an ending to the old,
with a hint of things untold,
A slate of resolutions,
And devoutly new solutions,
A diet here, a promise there,
And a time for passions found with new sought flare.
Not a moment to settle for less,
So look to the NEW with ZEST for BEST!" JM

Holiday Grog

2009-12-29T11:45:00.002-05:00

“With blankets of snow,
The world takes on a glow
Of a time of the season
With ev’ry good reason
To take out your skis
Swoop down mountains with ease,
Or find a froz’ lake
And skate ‘til you break,
From exhaustion, or freeze,
Or, gee, start to sneeze.
But, after your play,
There is more to the day,
‘Cause everyone gathers
For a little thereof after.
So you take off your boots,
Settle down with the group,
Build a fire with some logs,
And drink Holiday Grog.” JM

Advent Season Ending

2009-12-27T09:54:00.001-05:00

"The Advent season is now ending. A season filled with the anticipation of Christmas blessings. The songs of Maria experience added rhapsody, like intricate bridges joining spiritual bodies" JM

Christmas Gratitude

2009-12-26T17:52:00.002-05:00

Christmas gratitude is a faithful heart's way of saying,
"thank you", for all joy and blessed togetherness.

Russia's White Tiger's Holiday Roar!

2009-12-23T10:36:00.002-05:00

"White Tigers have a mouth like a grin
And a throat like a bin,
And they let out such noise,
That you really take poise,
‘Cause at first you just think,
That the world’s ‘bout to sink,
But then you think, WOW,
What a grown up MEOW.
Then you simply realize
That all Tigers take pride,
And it’s their funny way
Of putting on display,
But, aside from all that,
Tigers are merely just cats,
Just standing around,
Making overgrown sounds,
Which if thought of just right,
Could be their coy delight,
And their extroverted display
At wishing EVERYBODY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!" JM

Advent Season

2009-12-14T15:09:00.000-05:00

"The season of Advent is now beginning. A season filled with anticipation of Christmas blessings. The songs of Maria experience new singing, like blankets spread throughout Lands in treasured bonding." JM

Spinning Strauss & Panel Discussion – Met Opera Guild

2009-11-29T09:57:00.007-05:00

December 6, 4:00 – 6:00 PM – "Spinning Strauss", showcasing Strauss opera voices and Strauss women-character polarities from Ariadne auf Naxos
December 10, 7:00 – 9:00 PM - Mock Audition and Panel Discussion, "Nice work if You Can Get it"
Panelists:
William (Bill) J. Powers (Director of Administration and Artistic Operations, Pittsburgh Opera),
Jane Marsh (Soprano, lecturer, coach and international vocal competition judge),
John Miller (President, Pinnacle Arts Management)
Eve Shapiro (director, acting coach/teacher).
Mark Trawka, chorus master and director of music studies for Pittsburgh Opera resident artist program.
Location: Met Opera Guild, Sixth Floor, Rose Building, Lincoln Center
Tickets ordered: 212-769-7028 www.operaed.org/lectures

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:30:00.001-05:00

“Thanksgiving is not about giving,
It’s about giving and rec’iving;
A day of great thanks,
For long held tradition,
No Indian pranks,
Just harvested submissions,
And food from so many,
There is plenty of plenty,
No lacking in any,
For so, so, so, many,
So when there’s good chance,
And in the right stance,
One quietly stays
And under breath prays,
For all being together,
And staying in tether,
For singing glory songs
Prideful harvested throngs.” JM

Puccini Lectures & Strauss Master Class

2009-09-16T10:34:00.014-04:00

Jane Marsh Lectures on Puccini's Il Trittico for the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Puccini the Popular,
November 21, 11:00 AM
November 24, 6:00 PM
Ms. Marsh will conduct a Strauss Master Class, as well:
December 6, 4:00 PM - Strauss Master Class, "Spinning Strauss"
Location: Metropolitan Opera Guild, Sixth Floor, Rose Building, Lincoln Center
Tickets Purchased: 212 - 769-7028 - www.operaed.org/lectures

Reflexions on June 25

2009-06-25T14:00:00.004-04:00

Talent is a gift from an Almighty power and the circumstance and ability to express that talent is a gift to an Almighty power!

Verdi in Verdi's Own Country - Spiritual Identity

2009-06-05T14:14:00.005-04:00

Verdi sung in Italy, and Verdi's own native earth, ignites in the Italian audiences an uncanny identification with their own communal spirit. No holds barred! Absolutely none! And Verdi's uncanny technical understanding of the human voice and ingenuity and canny understanding of the expression of human emotion, to say nothing of his radar for sending a message, are greatest exemplified in Verdi's operas. Just pick one! And, what greater opera than Verdi's Requiem? What greater libretto than a mass? I savor Verdi's delicious serving of vocal challenge amidst the healthiest of artistic and musical palates. To again be singing Verdi, this time in northern Italy, is a natural and high wire experience. Really icing on the veritable cake, and I do love that stunning cake!

Spirit be joyful

2009-05-04T08:59:00.001-04:00

Compiled, edited, translated, and transliterated by Jane Marsh, Spirit be joyful is an anthology of 14 songs on the theme of Advent and Christmas for high voice and piano with accompanying CD

Covering the Baroque to the contemporary, this anthology features 14 lesser-known gems in English, German, Italian, Latin, and Russian by major composers. Marsh provides faithful English singing translations. A CD with piano accompaniments is included. Perfect for solo recitals or church services.

To order, please contact your local music store or customer service at 1-800-292-0639 or order online at Oxford University Press and Amazon.com.

Gifts & Treasures
Jane Marsh (Soprano), Gerd Ohlssen (Pianist)

Available soon on Amazon.com.

Faith is Believing

2009-04-30T10:09:00.003-04:00

“Faith is believing
And knack of perceiving
That trust is serenity
In promised divinity." JM

Artistic Greatness

2009-04-23T13:23:00.005-04:00

Artistic greatness, in any field, has a rare and uncanny quality of sensing life and the world head on and anew, without filtering it through warped beliefs, expectations or preconceptions. This 'divine essence' encompasses a field of wonder, and experiences a creative route filled with uncensored riches.
Putting this 'artistic dawning,' if you will, into words-written or spoken, or sung-allows all of us to see, read and hear with newborn vision, and experience with truly open heart.

Judgment

2009-04-22T08:07:00.004-04:00

More frequently, life in us is more strongly diminished by judgment than it is by illness. The spontaneity of the natural life force becomes stifled with over scrutiny. Judgment, and or approval, is sought or practiced to please others and ourselves. It is seldom to find someone who loves us as we are, just as it is seldom to love ourselves whole.

Human Quality Substance

2009-04-21T16:15:00.002-04:00

Aside from understanding the use of time and the ability to create and follow a vision, a true leader wields power, not via manipulation of others for personal gain out of a 'control or competition fanaticism,' rather through a true intention to see success in others, always looking at the 'big picture.' This is human-quality-substance of the highest integrity!

Worry Before Placing Bets

2009-04-20T15:39:00.001-04:00

A good rule of thumb would be, to do your worrying before you place your bets, not after the wheel starts turning.

Wagner Master Class – April 14, Met Opera Guild

2009-04-13T13:17:00.002-04:00

Jane Marsh Wagner Master Class - Metropolitan Opera Guild, April 14
“Wagner 'Lieds' the Way,” with reference to the Metropolitan Opera's production of Wagner’s RING CYCLE, and Wagner’s Songs
Date of Master Class: April 14
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Metropolitan Opera Guild, Rose Building, Sixth Floor, Lincoln Center, NYC
Tickets Reserved at, 212-769-7028

Passion Week & Good Friday

2009-04-09T13:52:00.000-04:00

"Oh week that witnessed holy suffering!
You sound such a serious note in this blissful spring season.
In the rejuvenated rays of the sun,
You spread the shadow of the cross over the bright earth,
And silently lower your mourning crape.
Meanwhile, the spring is allowed to continue germinating.
The violet is fragrant beneath blossoming trees.
And all the birds sing songs of joy.
Oh, be silent, you birds in the green meadows!
All around, hollow-toned bells are resounding.
The angels are softly singing dirges.
Oh, quiet, you birds high up in the blue sky!
You violets, do not crown any maiden’s tresses today!
My pious girl is picking you to make a dark bouquet.
You will accompany her to the Virgin Mary’s house,
And there you will wither on the altar of the Lord.
Ah, there, intoxicated by mournful melodies,
And sweetly dazed by heavy fumes of incense,
She seeks her bridegroom in the vaults of death,
And love and springtime – everything is lost!" JM

Spring Has Come Again

2009-03-18T09:50:00.000-04:00

“When the Sun’s face shows,
And there are no snows,
And the atmosphere’s clean,
And very serene,
With temperatures warmed,
To an occasional storm,
And a great transformation,
Is again in preparation,
Then Nature’s happy ring,
Welcomes in the noble spring,
And within her glory throngs,
Birds are singing budding songs.” JM