My So-Called Opera Life

My So-Called Opera Life

By Elise Mark & Marcelle McGuirkBusinessEducationArtsSelf-ImprovementPerforming ArtsCareers
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My So-Called Opera Life episodes

  • Episode 11: Zach Finkelstein on the #operalife during and after COVID
    Season two begins NOW and we’re hot off the presses in our first episode, talking to Zach Finkelstein, a tenor, a research analyst, and the independent journalist behind the Middle Class Artist blog.  He is passionate about arts advocacy for singers, and he’s been on the frontline of reporting just how the COVID-19 pandemic is...
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  • BONUS EPISODE: COVID 😷 Part 2
    10 days later…. And all sense of time has evaporated. 🤔 We check back in with each other after Philadelphia’s “stay-at-home” protocol goes into effect to talk about how things have changed professionally, personally, and emotionally.  We also announce the release of the first episode of Season 2: April 10th! 🎉 We talk about how...
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  • BONUS EPISODE: COVID 😷 Part 1
    We’re back and podcasting in the time of COVID! First up on this bonus episode, we share some updates for the podcast! Most importantly, Season 2 is COMING SOON! We’re so excited to be recording again and we can’t wait to share the new episodes with you all. A release date for our first episode...
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  • Getting to Know You- Episode 0
    Welcome to the My So-called Opera Life Podcast! In today’s episode, meet our hosts, Elise and Marcelle, and learn a little about all the operatic realness to come in future episodes! They talk about their musical backgrounds and their hopes to build a supportive community for opera singers!
    13 min
  • Episode 1: Just be YOU
    On today’s episode we talk about a blog post on the Wolf Trap Opera website that addressed what singers “should” wear to an audition. It caused quite a stir in the opera community recently, though the post was a few years old. We, too, had some strong reactions to the post and discuss the problems of size-ism and sexism in the opera business.
    Wolf Trap Opera has since amended the post and written an apology letter to the opera community, which we also discuss. We’re grateful for Wolf Trap’s current commitment to help singers feel they can “come as they are” to an audition.
    So, let’s flip the script! Show off your unique style and tag us on social media so we can celebrate all of the beautiful, diverse people in our industry!
    In other news, what exactly is a “therapeutic complaint” and a “humble-brag”? We break them down for you and and talk about their benefits(!). Share yours with us via #mysocalledoperalife on social media and you might get featured in our feed or on the show!
    Links from today’s episode:
    Wolf Trap Opera Blog: What (Not) To Wear [Original, Archived Post]
    Shoperatic
    Wolf Trap Opera Blog: What (Not) To Wear [Revised Version]
    Wolf Trap Opera Blog: Come As You Are [Apology Post]
    Questions, comments, complaints? Email us! [email protected] 
    Music:
    “Too Cool” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    “Thinking Music” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    “Basic Implosion” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    All music Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
    14 min
  • Episode 10: 💃🏼 Season One Finale 💃🏻
    To celebrate the completion of our first season, we invited some opera singer friends to join us for drinks and conversation around some of this season’s topics. We were curious to hear other viewpoints on the opera business and to have a little fun, too! We dig back into rejection, application fees, creating community, and...
    1 hr 23 min
  • Episode 10:
    To celebrate the completion of our first season, we invited some opera singer friends to join us for drinks and conversation around some of this season’s topics. We were curious to hear other viewpoints on the opera business and to have a little fun, too!
    We dig back into rejection, application fees, creating community, and share our personal experiences of the “opera life.”
    A big thank you to everyone who has listened so far and supported us! We couldn’t do this without you!
    You’ll hear the voices of:
    Elise Mark
    Alize Rozsnyai
    Marcelle McGuirk
    Matthew Maisano
    Marisa Robinson
    Audra Casebier
    Kirsten C. Kunkle
    Special mentions on this episode:
    Wilmington Concert Opera
    Shoperatic
    Pacific Opera Project
    American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA)
    Opera America
    Groupmuse
    Gerda Lissner Competition
    Do you have feedback from this season or ideas for next season? Drop us a note at [email protected] 
    Holiday Song Lyrics
    Words by Elise Mark
    Music belongs to their respective owners.
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    A YAP application fee
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    2 many inappropriate comments to count
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    3 jewel toned dresses
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    4 rejection letters
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    5 unpaid gigs
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    6 fachs I might be
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    7 snobby patrons
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    8 conflicting stage notes
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    9 more training programs
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    10 times more sopranos
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    11 Christmas church gigs
    On the first day of my opera life
    My career gave to me
    12 breakdowns and counting
    ***
    Oh, the opera life, man, it’s frightful
    But the opera’s so delightful
    Even though the audience don’t know
    Where’d they go, where’d they go, where’d they go?
    ***
    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
    Everywhere you go,
    Take a look at the singer you know,
    They’ll be the ones to show
    Some tired voices and eye bags to show.
    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
    Soon this too will pass,
    And the prettiest sight to see,
    Is the bed in which you’ll be,
    When you’ve sung your last Mass.
    A pair of character shoes and a scarf you can use,
    Is the wish of all of your friends.
    Family that stop and will go for a walk,
    And won’t ask a stupid question.
    Mom and Dad can hardly wait for you to get a job.
    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
    Soon this too will pass,
    And the prettiest sight to see
    Is the bed in which you’ll be
    When you’ve sung off your ass!
    Music
    “Oh, Christmas Tree”, “Rainbows”, and “Basic Implosion” by  Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
    1 hr 23 min
  • Episode 9: Jessica Fishenfeld Keeps Opera ‘Alive & Kicking’
    On today’s show we interview Jessica Fishenfeld, a soprano who isn’t afraid to make things happen! In addition to building her career in opera, she has a branded parallel career in personal training — JecaFit — where she helps clients to discover and achieve their own health and fitness goals.
    If that wasn’t enough, she works to create community and support for her fellow singers through her ARIA SLAMS and she also produces a web series called “Alive & Kicking,” which aims to expose new audiences to modern opera through fun, bite-sized videos.
    Jessica has an inspiring, go-getter attitude and she is honest in talking about the trials and successes of working in the opera business. Truly, Jessica is a #SopranoToWatch  
    Jessica’s Instagram
    Other noteworthy mentions on this episode:
    IT’S THE DAY OF THE SHOW Y’ALL
    Connection Lost: The Tinder Opera, composed by Scott Joiner (Jess’ fiance)
    Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O19
    Questions, comments, complaints? Want to share your story with us? Email us! [email protected]
    And don’t forget to use #mysocalledoperalife on social media for a chance to be featured, as well!
    Music:
    “Basic Implosion” and “Too Cool” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
    55 min

About My So-Called Opera Life

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Welcome to My So-Called Opera Life, a podcast for opera singers by opera singers, where we work to connect, inform, inspire and empower musicians at all levels and stages of their career.