But I don't sing in German

Since my return to singing over the last three years, I have done quite a bit of singing in Italian and English. I recently had the chance to sing Escamillo and have at least four French arias ready to go, but based on my own perception of my voice and my “look” I have steered clear of the German repertoire thinking to myself: I don’t really sing in German. I even went as far as to tell someone those exact words in a recent audition for a piece in German. Any wonder I didn’t get it?

As I have discovered in this business, some artists easily fit into a niche and others (and I feel I fall into this category) tend to be able to bounce about and sing a wide variety of literature. I always thought that perhaps the only role I would sing in German would perhaps be Papageno, but as it turns out I am about to sing the Music Teacher in Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos and immediately follow that up with Falke in Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. Even more interesting is that I am up for another German role next season. All of sudden I’ve gone from someone who “doesn’t sing in German” to someone who is singing in German.

I have always thought I knew what was best for me and where I would end up in the opera world, but again, I am surprised (like I was with being cast as Escamillo earlier in the season) that there are people who see as more than just a “black” singer and who believe I can transcend roles that would traditionally go to white performers. It’s a wonderful feeling to see that opera while trying to focus on realism and appeal to the general public also wants to find new and exciting ways to express itself and that includes casting those who may not at first glance seem an ideal fit, but might have something unique to say about a particular role.

It reminds of the statement “Don’t tell yourself ‘No.’” I truly believe that the singers who are succeeding spend more time telling themselves “yes” and less time worrying about what others think. So here I am: a black lyric baritone who has sung everything from Mozart’s Figaro to Britten’s Theseus to Rossini’s Fernando in La gazza ladra to Escamillo and many interesting and surprising roles in between. I have trained, studied, practiced and believed so why shouldn’t I be a singer who sings in German? So I say “yes” to what may come because I always need to remind myself that I can…even auf Deutsch.

Peace,

Eric

Congrats to you; now what about me?

I am always excited when I hear that a friend in this business gets a fantastic engagement. I like it when someone I know to be hard working, super-talented and dedicated gets an offer that will showcase their abilities. As of late, many of my friends have been getting offers and as thrilled as I am, there is a small part of me that thinks: “what about me?”

First of all, I have had a phenomenal season with no less than 8 new roles in every language and some fantastic debuts and great reviews, so please know that even I am sort of looking at myself like “What you talkin’ about, Willis?” But I have also been auditioning my butt off and it seems like I’m always the bridesmaid, but never the bride.

As an artist, I’ve learned not to take “no” too personally, although I am “sensitive “ every time I hear it. I also know that every artist has heard “no,” and that every artist has to have a tough hide in order to stay focused on the present and what could be and not spend time and energy on what is not. However, the goal is to be an amazing artist so I need to give amazing auditions in order to get amazing work.

I do a lot of reading about how to envision what I want out of life. I read a fantastic passage about the law of attraction and it said that if you see great wealth, success, love or whatever it is you are hoping to attract surrounding you, instead of seeing it as “ why does everyone have it ?”, one must rethink it as attracting it on all sides and if it surrounds you and you are seeing it constantly, then surely you are on the same plain. I think it is similar to the people we attract. If you find yourself surrounded by great friends, then you, in turn, must be a great friend. If you have an amazing partner, then you are indeed a great partner. If it seems that everyone you know is getting hired here and there, then you are in the same realm of possibility and great things are en route. One can call it faith, the law of attraction or new-agey poppycock, but the more aware you become of the great fortune of others, the more you will begin to allow it to come to you. Another way to think of it is if I am surrounded by singers of a high-level, then I too, must a high-level singer.

So my goal for Spring is to stop worrying so much about what I have been passed over for and become very aware of the success of those around me. Even in the face of "no", I am still seeing many a "yes" all over the place, so my many "yeses" are just around the corner. I will continue to be overjoyed for their success, just as I know they are with mine.

Peace,

Eric