Adria Firestone Performer | Educator | Artist Mentor
International performance, university teaching, and career guidance for performing artists.
As published in Classical Singer Magazine January 2009 I’m in the dressing room of my mind, and I’m trying on phrases: “I stopped singing five years ago.” “I used to be an opera singer.” “Oh yes, I still sing, just not opera anymore.” Why all the waffling? I’m a retired opera singer. Ouch, that sounds …
Continue reading “The Singer’s Addiction Part 5: Learn to Forgive Yourself”
As published in Classical Singer Magazine, December 2008 So here we are, back at the question I asked in my first article, “After singing, what else is there?” A friend and colleague told me that all she could do in this life was sing lead roles or teach singing. That may be true, and indeed …
Continue reading “The Singer’s Addiction Part 4: Finding a New Elixir of Love”
As published in Classical Singer Magazine, November 2008 No matter how lovable you are, you can’t make someone love you. You can fascinate them for a few minutes but you can’t make anyone love you or your voice. So why do we try so hard? Why is it a failure, in our own eyes and …
Continue reading “The Addiction of Singing Pt. 3: I Will Never Be Hungry Again”
As published in Classical Singer Magazine, October 2008 I asked the exquisite Cuban soprano Teresita Pons how she dealt with the pain of not singing anymore. Her reply was achingly honest. “Singing is an addiction,” she said. “You cannot separate yourself from it. You do whatever you need to do to continue. The fact that …
Continue reading “The Singer’s Addiction Part 2: Rhett, Where Will I Go, What Will I Do?”
As published in Classical Singer, September 2008 Much like that wonderful line from The Princess Bride, “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die,” I warn you. As we begin the discussion of retiring from professional singing, prepare to be wounded. It is achingly difficult to think of giving up …
Continue reading “The Singers Addiction: How Do You Stop Singing?”
Una ‘Carmen de setenta metros Yesterday at a press conference here in Ávila, Spain, a 15th century walled city, I was asked did I get anything out of being in these ancient walls. There are a couple of paths to take with a question like that – be diplomatic and give a “Come visit Ávila” …
Classical Singer, Vol 13 No.1, January 2000 How do I project sensuality on stage … and feel good about it? In response to a recent letter, Adria Firestone, a mezzo specializing in the role of Carmen, detailed her in-depth approach to role study. Dear Miss Firestone: I have been having some difficulties with Carmen, for …
. . . But then, if you really want to embody a character onstage, isn’t it part of your discipline and responsibility to look like that character as well? Aren’t singers Olympic athletes? Aren’t we a performance package?
. . . Actors, take note! Acting is acting whether you are miming silently, speaking into a microphone, or on the operatic stage.
Whenever people hear a beautiful speaking voice, they say, “Oh, you should get into voice overs — it’s easy!” Think again. Voice acting, because that is what it is, is far from easy. You don’t have scenery, fabulous lighting,
