My Cultural Life
Alfred Walker will perform in Wagner’s Flying Dutchman at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
New Orleans-born bass-baritone Alfred Walker travels the world performing with leading companies that have so far included the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Boston Lyric Opera and Deutsche Oper Berlin. He will sing the lead in Wagner’s Flying Dutchman in Irish National Opera’s production at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, March 23-29.
BOOK: Vocal Wisdom
I’m a self-professed vocal pedagogy nerd, so I constantly consume articles and books about the techniques of singing. I’m currently reading Vocal Wisdom by Battista Lamperti, one of the great masters of vocal pedagogy and the bel canto style of singing.
Lamperti explains everything about classical singing – from the physical workings of the throat and breath support, to the psychological challenges of developing as an artist. I would recommend this book to any classical singer or student.
FILM: Age of the Samurai
I’ve been caught up in Age of the Samurai: Battle for Japan, a Netflix documentary about the history of Japan in the years before the country was unified under one shogun.
It gives detailed information about military strategy, as well as political and cultural insights that shaped modern-day Japan. The re-enactments are beautifully filmed, with amazing costumes and breath-taking architecture. The narration and acting are wonderful as well.
I’ve been lucky to travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo, and I’m obsessed with the beauty of the country and its rich culture.
MUSIC: Ella Fitzgerald
The 59 songs of Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book were recorded in an eight-month span in 1959 – and Ira was quoted as saying: “I never knew how good our songs were until I heard Ella Fitzgerald sing them.”
I love to take long car rides listening to this great work. Her vocal refinement and sensitivity to text is in my opinion unmatched – and her luscious voice always puts me in a great mood.
FESTIVAL: Bard SummerScape
Taking pace in in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, SummerScape is an annual summer arts festival now entering its 22nd year. I’ve performed in several events there – and the operas and concerts are presented in the amazing Fisher Centre, designed by Frank Gehry. It’s a wonderful way to spend the summer, and the Bard College campus is a beautifully idyllic place to relax and hear obscure masterpieces.
