VERDI, Giuseppe

La forza del destino

"Pace, pace, mio Dio"

Joyce DiDonato, guest professor

Marlin González Zúñiga, student

Laïla Barnat, accompanying pianist

After the student sings the aria, prof. DiDonato asks about her repertoire and studies. She appreciates her stage presence and posture but advises that, given the character and the aria’s message, she should express more doubt and confusion - neither turning inward nor keeping it too flat. For long notes, DiDonato suggests phrasing them more rather than starting them as if they were already completed.
The professor believes the main area to work on is the middle register of her voice. To improve this, she suggests an exercise in which the student speaks in a legato and expressive manner rather than singing.
They go back to the beginning of the aria, and DiDonato guides her through phrasing and vocal direction using gestures. She also points out certain consonants in the text that could be emphasized, as well as adjustments in vocal placement and body expression that will help her sing the aria more effectively and convey the required emotion.
For Joyce DiDonato, some sections, due to their text and character, need to be much stricter in rhythm without applying rubato.

Language: Spanish - English