opera

Sam Darling

Jun 28, 20192 min read

Singing tips

Some of us are born with a nice singing voice, but regardless of natural ability there are things we can do that will improve our...

5 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Apr 22, 20194 min read

MomChoir & finding your soulmate

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a partner who supports my creative endeavors and does everything he can to allow me space and time to...

11 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Oct 17, 20184 min read

In praise of Star Trek

There are certain TV shows that became a part of my core personality when I was a kid and watching my eldest totally glom on to Brooklyn...

0 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Aug 17, 20181 min read

Culture city

Certain cities ooze an ephemeral quality of “culture” and it can be tricky to explain exactly why. But then other times it’s clear how...

0 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Jul 3, 20182 min read

A room of one’s own

It was a stressful day and I needed respite. As is my wont, I chose a dark movie theater even though it was a beautiful sunny summer...

1 view0 comments

Sam Darling

Dec 17, 20171 min read

Harlequin

It’s funny how often the world of opera crops up around me. I’d bought my youngest a large Kinder Egg Surprise that promised to have a...

1 view0 comments

Sam Darling

Oct 10, 20173 min read

Two-year fitness progress if any

I’m heading into Year 2 of my “gym every day” journey and here are the things I’ve learned that I wish I’d known back when I started...

6 views0 comments

Sam Darling

May 17, 20161 min read

Mina diva

I’m pretty good with knowing references around divas so it’s a bit shocking to realize I missed one. Particularly as our youngest has the...

11 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Mar 14, 20161 min read

Maria looking 60s glam

I do enjoy pulling the celebrity-style vintage photos from my family vault to share with you guys. These are from a photo shoot my mother...

4 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Mar 14, 20161 min read

The weight of personal history

The trouble with having such a deep knowledge of my family history is I find I must bite my tongue when my kids speak casually of their...

12 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Nov 2, 20153 min read

My life as a weirdo

Choir music is designed for the masses. The usual SATB music is chosen to fit a typical vocal range and allow for a blend of nice voices...

0 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Sep 1, 20152 min read

Grandmother’s ukulele violin

As a child I knew there were some mysterious boxes stored behind this Chinese screen in my grandmother’s summer home. When I was twelve...

2 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Aug 24, 20151 min read

Block party music

I love music. I love all kinds of music. But music in context. I’m not going to blast you with opera singing when you’re trying to eat...

1 view0 comments

Vintage French theatrical posters of Daniel Crouet

Sam Darling

May 29, 20151 min read

Vintage French theatrical posters of Daniel Crouet

The items my performer parents accumulated in their long careers sometimes travel down to me in the form of mysterious poster tubes. I...

6 views0 comments

Vintage late 60s Mod style & New Orleans

Sam Darling

Apr 20, 20151 min read

Vintage late 60s Mod style & New Orleans

Some vacation photos when my mother was on break from the opera and exploring New Orleans. Some vintage Mod and late 60s style on...

1 view0 comments

Sam Darling

Mar 27, 20151 min read

The Merry Widow

One of my fellow opera nerds made a joke by saying, “Meet you at Maxim’s” and I was transported to Art Nouveau Paris. Only, I could hear...

1 view0 comments

Sam Darling

Feb 25, 20152 min read

Opera and cultural sensitivity

I’m doing a production of Madama Butterfly and the set and costume design are what I’ve dubbed “impressionistic” Japanese. We hint at the...

0 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Jan 28, 20151 min read

Actor & voice

You’ll find a lot of actors have a side gig as vocalists. You might assume it’s because they’re egomaniacs, but the little-spoken fact is...

0 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Dec 24, 20141 min read

Musical cross-pollination

That moment when you realize that Mitzi Gaynor borrowed from Brazilian Afro-Samba. Baden Powell & Vinicius De Moraes “Canto De Ossanha”...

0 views0 comments

Sam Darling

Dec 11, 20143 min read

Let’s talk about Mariah Carey

My friend said I needed to do a blog post about Mariah Carey because I went off on an impassioned tirade when some unedited vocal tracks...

0 views0 comments