There’s no other way to slice it at this waking hour, learning Walküre Brünnhilde is a beast.

My inside out inner emotions are having a robust adolescent heyday with this very intense score.

Singing wise, I’m on Joy’s turf. It’s written where I live. It leaps, visits middle C periodically for laryngeal leisure, and pops up to A5 with a delightfully angular approach and an unforgettable heroic leitmotif.

However, linguistically and harmonically, I’ve been challenged to a gun fight while carrying a knife. My feels are running the gamut on turbo speed. ATM, my two emotional standouts running the board include:

1. JOY bursts through when Brünnhilde describes how Siegmund breathed his love into her Valkyrie heart.
2. FEAR engages and prepares for calamity when we reach this one transitional phrase that reads like rocket science but someone makes enharmonic/dramatic sense as father daughter doom is looming.

Those not running in the forefront right now are experiencing the following secondary feels:

ANGER is triggered by the tricky entrances.
DISGUST is displeased with Schirmer scores.
EMBARRASSMENT is lurking.
ENVY misses college aged floppy disc brain.
ANXIETY ate her feelings and is numbed out.
SADNESS & ENNUI abstain from commenting.

#ZuRoßdaßichdichrette

#operasinger

#brunnhilde

#giddyup

#insideout

#walkure

It ain’t easy to age but usually preferable. Shout out to Janet Perryman who is going on 23 years fighting the good fight without her energizer soulmate and partner in crime, Bruce. Momma, keep the Java flowing, singing your songs, visiting with family/friends, playing bridge, telling jokes…..we love you. You’ve got this. Giddy up. #chicago #summer2024

TITANIC EXHIBITION
By E. Perryman 7.4.2024
https://thetitanicexhibition.com/chicago/

Elizabeth Honer and I really enjoyed the titanic exhibition in Chicago this July 4th. Reservations were available for one hour slots. Tickets were 29 dollars online. The exhibition was at Old Orchard Mall in Skokie. The building appeared to be a former department store. After circling the site, we realized that the exhibition entrance was inside of the mall. The signage was unclear with only a series of continuous arrows.

As we entered, we took a photo on the famous Jack and Rose “I’m flying” ship spot and watched a brief film. Shekels were saved as the pic taken didn’t warrant a purchase. We were given a ticket that was a boarding pass of an actual Titanic passenger. Information included their class distinction. We would find out at the end of the exhibit if our person survived by finding their name on the memorial wall.

Throughout the exhibition, there were many artifacts from ship remains and class designated flatware to passenger postcards and recovered chandeliers. There were special props (and a certain drawing;-) from the 1990s film which made some of the people near me gasp. There was also a wonderful shout out to the musicians on the Titanic.

My favorite part overall was the exhibition’s interactive segments e.g. simulated rooms based on class, starry night promenade, wreckage, and most especially…the grand staircase (alas there was no Jack and Rose special coup de ville car.) I did hope for an exhibition Easter egg referencing my most favorite villain Cal Hockley, the most delicious Billy Zane. But alas his Hollywood created, insufferable wealthy elite character did not get a shout out; Picasso lover or not. 😉 Billy Zane

According to the staff, the exhibition has evolved and items have been added. It was hard to absorb the many well crafted details in one trip.

The Titanic exhibition was a thorough and thoughtful tribute to this unforgettable chapter of the early 20th century. I would highly recommend seeing this exhibition.

“Many brave things were done that night, but none were more brave than those done by men playing minute after minute as the ship settled quietly lower and lower in the sea. The music they played served alike as their own immortal requiem and their right to be recalled on the scrolls of undying fame.” Lawrence Beesley/Survivor

#Titanic #titanicexhibition

Things I noticed today:

1. Eliz’s braid fits nicely into a backpack loop.
2. 2024 continues to be the era of the derrière and long lashes.
3. I don’t generally get jealous. However I’m fairly jealous of the lucky folk currently relaxing in first class, 30 rows in front of us.
4. Flying is a full contact sport. It reminds me that I need to move my tuchus more.
5. Magenta dragonfly Starbucks libations are very eye catching.
6. There is some heavy energy out there on the streets today on 7.3.2024. Holy energy vampires.
7. Our tsa assistant had nice curls. I told them so. The resting tsa face turned right side up. 😉
8. Whatever is dominating the air atm is no joke. Dust and/or grass is at an extreme level according to the World Wide Web. It is presently parked on my Brunnhilde C6.
   Giddy up.

#streamofconsciousness #july2024

Today is a celebration of life for a truly impactful person in my life. I knew Annie Frazier as a wise mom, uplifting pastor, kind friend, and brave advocate despite anguishes she faced in her mortal life especially the loss of her beloved 2nd born, Robert Downer Sr. Annie was the loving mom of my former significant other Lionel Downer and so very proud of him. Lionel and I have remained friends for 25 years since we were together. Annie was never a stranger to me and always wanted to stay connected which we were able to do through social media. I have never forgotten that incredible soul food thanksgiving meal in the mid 1990s. Annie dearly loved her family and loved ones. I’ll never forget when the Frazier Downer family showed up for my father’s funeral in 2001. They shared vintage stories of my Dad asking for more biscuits or Jack Daniel’s steak, giving testimony in their Pentecostal church as the only red head/melanin lacking attendant, and randomly showing Lionel Downer his feet at our home. I am grateful and proud to have known Reverend Annie L. Frazier and I sure hope that brother Bruce Janet Perryman has already greeted her with his bellowing baritone and a tray of drop biscuits. Annie L Frazier, “Go rest high on that mountain, your work on earth is done.”

Link to service 6pm CST:

https://www.facebook.com/LICFWC?mibextid=LQQJ4d

THE ICE CREAM OF OPERA
By Elizabeth Perryman
Alright, alright, alright. My fellow opera singers and aficionados, I’m fully aware that my following DECLARATION may be fighting words for the devout Callas crew but I cannot continue without proclaiming the following:

Whilst listening to Suicidio….
Tebaldi before Callas, NO BUENO.
Callas before Tebaldi, ALL GOOD. (However giggles may ensue after Tebaldi’s excitingly effortless monster octave leap-JESUS)

Trust me, I WANT to love Callas. I have TRIED in earnest to admire her. And YES there are some recordings, early and lyric coloratura, that are lovely and clearer. I seek to find what we all have to offer as diverse performing artists. Callas’ Chenier aria is also very moving dramatically BUT I just can’t get past her murky timbre and lack of bel canto vowels/tongue contortion.

And yet again today, JUST as I was starting to think that Callas’ Ponchielli was good and was getting EXCITED by her chest voice, my acutely tuned ear wizard opera coach Giovanni Longo suggested that I take another listen to Tebaldi’s version.

OY VEY. My loud trucker laugh was engaged at the dramatic vocal shift from SD to HD. I guess it’s better to listen in this order because MC following RT would be no bueno indeed. Sorry not sorry.

I do however believe that taste is like ice cream; to each his own FLAVOR. Callas’ ability to completely immerse herself fearlessly with abandon is something to behold and aspire to as an artist. Maria Callas has a cult following for a reason. She obviously moves many people and imho that’s what this all about, so CARRY ON and enjoy La Divina.

akintsucrooner

What a year. Today I finally collapsed.

It was a year of adjusting to the advent of personal unresolved issues which showed up as lethargy and depression. I started working with a therapist and am feeling more breathing room around things I can actually change.

It was a year of finding the balance between work and being a performing artist. Annie Frazier Lionel Downer used to say I had a lot of irons in the fire. My varied fiery irons began to remove needed oxygen this year. Heaviness has lifted and I have more clarity on 6.20.24.

Outside of sheer teaching and working with students which is better than ever, the overall stress around the teaching vocation is worse than ever. I understand why people are leaving the profession. It has been downright demoralizing at times this year. I wouldn’t still be teaching full time if wasn’t a part of my dna and a stable income that I have chosen to invest in as I hopefully segue into the next chapter of my life in a few years. Hearing kind words from former students like Kyra Fox has made it all worth while.

Thank you dear families for the thoughtful cards and gifts.

I’m glad to live in NJ. I’m grateful to teach in North Brunswick.

Giddy up.

#musician #performer #teacher #writer #creator #20232024schoolyear

QUESTIONS FOR MY DAD 6.2024
By Elizabeth Perryman

Dad, what would it be like to talk to you today, 23 years after you passed? Would you still have a booming speaking voice and whistle often?

Dad, what musical endeavors would you be pursuing in 2024? Would you have completed your sacred orchestral composition? Would it have a high descant for me and mom?

Dad, how would your bridge game be now with Mom, Janet Perryman? Would you have any master points?

Dad, what would you be planting in your garden? Would your vegetables be as big? Would you wear funny Teeshirts with your Bermuda shorts, tube socks, and new balance tennis shoes?

Dad, would you continue to read your book of common prayer as well as attend an Episcopalian church? Would you still be directing or subbing at churches? Oh, I think you would have loved the Bishop at Glen Rock Episcopal yesterday.

Dad, would you visit St Louis and New Jersey often? My heart says you would have accepted Elizabeth Honer and would love her family. You’d be so proud of Mom.

Dad, would you still be playing 18 holes, carrying your clubs? Would you still be driving at 86?

Dad, would your hair still be faded red/blonde with your epic V?

Dad, would you be wearing your fuzzy red robe at night and calling your brothers periodically?

Dad, would you be taking virtual voice lessons with me continuing the progress we were making before you passed? Will you have mastered your feet on the organ?

Dad, would you be on social media? My guess is no. I believe at this point you would be apolitical.

Dad, would you have an iPad, smartphone, hybrid organ, or have replaced the Baldwin grand at home?

Dad, what home project would mom have you working on?

Dad, I know you’d be so moved by my vocal progress and how much my voice has become a blend of you and mom. I remember your tears the last time I saw you.

Dad, thank you. All my love.

I am so grateful to have had the chance to take the 4th grade chorus to Dorney park this year. These students spent half of kindergarten and much of first virtually. They have really risen in the past 2 years and did a wonderful performance today for music in the parks. They earned an excellent rating with positive feedback excited about their overall energy and skyscape show. One of our soloists Anthony Liz Dinardi Disano earned one of the 2 outstanding solo awards given today out of all of the groups performing 4-12th. ❤️🙏🏻Judd Elementary School, North Brunswick Twp. Public Schools #musicinthepark #dorneypark #juddchorus

#akintsucrooner

Today I’m walking down memory lane at the beginning of pride month….

My 55 years began with my world led by utter shyness…..

Growing up was filled with finding a safe space and masked oasis in Tower Hill UCC and Theater that allowed me to begin emerging…

Adulthood post 20s to present day has been a continued onion peeling…..

I most likely will always have to think twice about what others think and worry about the civil protection of our future before share that I have a wife. However I remain supremely grateful for the love I’ve been granted with Elizabeth Honer and my family of allies Neal Janet Ann Jack and Will…..

I sing today Deep River with a freedom and openness that continues to evolve.

#pridemonth #pride2024

#deepriver #spiritual #pride #grateful #soprano #june #genx