HÄNDEL, George Frideric

Messiah HWV 56

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion"

Joyce DiDonato, guest professor

Carla Isabel Gómez, student

Natalia Kuchaeva, accompanying pianist

For prof. DiDonato, this is an oratorio with a straightforward character, but the greatest challenge may be repeating the same text multiple times without it sounding monotonous. She asks the student how she approaches this, and DiDonato explains the context to keep in mind while singing: it is like an angel entering in the name of joy and peace—everything is well in its presence, and even when hearing "buts" and sorrow from others, its mission in singing is to constantly remind them to be joyful. Joyce DiDonato asks the student to start the aria again, focusing on conveying this message - not by acting, but face to face, looking into the eyes, and expressing it naturally. Imagination is a powerful tool for a singer, and it is essential to use it constantly to connect with the audience.

Moving on to technical aspects, DiDonato advises the student to think of one long phrase spanning four measures rather than four separate phrases. She then asks how the student practices coloratura, and they work on it together, with the professor offering specific tips to make it easier. They also review the pronunciation of certain words.

Language: English