Vocal Masterclass with Gerald Finley at the Royal College of Music

On Wednesday 18 September the RCM was delighted to welcome RCM alumnus Gerald Finley for a masterclass in the Britten Theatre.
Nick Pritchard (0:03:00)
Mozart - 'Un aura amorosa' from Così fan tutti
Bradley Travis (0:37:53)
Michael Head - 'The Estuary'
--- Questions from the audience ---
Caitlin Frizzell (1:32:28)
Jake Heggie - 'A Lucky Child'
Morgan Pearse (2:17:46)
Finzi 'The Clock of the Years'
Accompanists: Ian Tindale & Chad Vindin
This masterclass was dedicated to RCM alumna Felicity Smith who tragically died on Monday 9 September 2013.
www.rcm.ac.uk/vocal

[@MrSwifts31]

Leontyne Price once said in an interview "You have to love the sound that you make.If you don't/can't,you will never get anywhere" Gerald is a good teacher,he is sympathetic,humourous and loves his craft.He never indulges in destructive criticism(like some master class teachers) only constructive. That's why he has such a good voice.

[@johnmarohn6777]

"Keep it in the same vibrational space" or "link the vibration" or "the phonation is never abandoned by the flow"-----Gerard Finley's brilliant description of never losing the sound flow even in the recitative. I can hear the difference in the first singer. The more I sing the classical repertoire, particularly Handel and Fauré or Reynaldo Hahn, the more I can feel what Finley is saying. Janet Baker, IMO, was the master of what everything Finley is saying here. Thanks so much for this video

[@brianmckay9976]

Gerald Finely's assiduous encouragement towards centering the vowels in a way that gives ease and beauty of line is totally admirable. His own "technique" and musical knowledge is impressive.

[@cantante189]

not listening to your voice is one of the hardest things ever to learn in vocal training

[@Widiar0]

It's amazing how you can listen to at someone who really is an expert and passionate about his thing for hours, even if you have no connection to the subject yourself. Very good insight to music in general, not just singing. Thanks for sharing.

[@benalichante1269]

I'm not a lyrical singer, just a bathroom singer I guess, but this was really insightful. If you guys appreciated the "sing with a flow" advice Finley gave, there is an 82 yo pro tenor with 60+ years of pro experience that has made a youtube channel and he's giving great advice about that, his name is Michael Trimble, just search that on youtube, it's a diamond! Hope it helps all you pro or aspiring singers

[@Jamesgug]

What a wonderful experience to see in the flesh what it takes to become a singer. Thank you Gerald Finley and all the singers involved.

[@Tenortalker]

It is so good to hear Gerald Finley put into words this idea of continuous vocal freedom and generosity of line. I spent two weeks in a production in Paris with him and Renee Fleming a couple of years ago. His description reflects very much what I heard them do through those rehearsals and performances.He practices what he preaches. I also agree with his comments about Mozart and student singers. Too often Mozart is seen as suitable ' beginners' or 'little' opera. However wonderful the music is it is not easy to sing well, also I think for the tenors and sopranos the tessitura in the ensembles stays high sitting on the pivot or passagio notes a lot for page after page. Young and flexible singers may find a way of getting around that difficulty plausibly, but is it really good for them at an early stage of development? Well done to everyone who took part in this fine class and good luck for fulfilling musical careers.

[@iamismeallright]

Wow, the Estuary blew me away.

[@rontomcol]

THIS IS SOLID GOLD. Compulsory viewing for young and old(er) singers alike.

[@Joggelschorsch]

Trank you so much for this upload, this is pure gold for me

[@AntoineGarnier]

Marvelous pedagog. Bravo Mr Finley

[@zuraiashvili8647]

"some are getting it for free at home"- yes sir that would be me, thank you! your voice is much appreciated by me and all my neighbors.

[@massimilianolandolfi9982]

Studying end listening that make me happy absolutely happy for my progress...and more ...Thannks

[@joaoaurelio1534]

Oh i loved this lesson!! as many tenors i sang un'aura too, and i too feel always happens that swelling thing. The aria is just so easy and it seems to never be quite right...

[@uknowwho889]

The Britten.. WOW. That's a voice to look out for in the future.

[@Dedalusalley]

This is amazing!

[@jasonmartin9251]

I loved Morgan Pearse's character in relation to his singing. I think the stereotype that opera singers can't act is very true in even the best of opera houses. But as you can see, combining the two is astonishingly captivating. Ah, awesome!

[@Tenorore]

Estas master class, debieran estar subtituladas, sería un gran aporte. Gracias.

[@FJMLAM]

Excellent teacher. He is so considerate, supportive and kind. Nice guy.

[@AHalfBaritone]

I heard GF in a recital of Schubert and Mahler in Manchester last year. He was unusually good. He made it look look/easy!

[@palashvictor]

The second piece sung by the great baritone was absolutely magical...

[@markgonzales7777]

Some are getting it for free at home.. yup that's me:)

[@jakethewoz]

This is fantastic! "Just phonate!!!"

[@mirocasanova]

I think this masterclass really useful for flute players (and I guess for any wind instrument player). Thanks.

[@millamilla10]

it is the best video I've ever seen!!

[@johnfox7985]

At 1:04:09 I really started to hear a difference. From that almost 'trying to sound mature despite being juvenile' sound, sprung something magical.

[@rajsdca]

Evan! Great tone

[@clp2480]

A lot of singers could benefit from his advice. Letting the voice flow is a psycho-physical-emotional release and differs greatly from "making" or trying to produce the sound/voice.

[@morrigambist]

Bradley's enunciation in the section Finley works is poor at the start, but at 1:02 it blossoms, and I can understand every word!

[@users1992]

wow...that was great

[@clp2480]

Your voice is YOU!