Opera Organically: The First Principle

The first principle of Opera Organically is

The Voice is always right.

Meaning:

At any point in the development of a singer, the Voice is seen as an Innocent. IT is a sacred Being, the expression of a holy impulse coming from the deepest part of who we are. The True Voice which we are seeking originates in a place where there is no 'right' and no 'wrong'. Therefore, in order to sing Opera Organically, we must pledge in all sincerity not to use the words 'good' and 'bad' or 'right' and 'wrong' to describe our singing, or the singing of anyone else. A Voice, any voice, simply IS. IT IS.

From this starting point, from as deep as we can reach in ourselves, we gain a perspective which demands inquiry. If we may not use the words 'good' or 'bad' to describe singing, what other descriptors are available to us? "Free" or "captive"..."controlled" or "uncontrolled"..."conscious" or "unconscious"..."awake" or "asleep"..."aware" or "unaware"..."here" or "not here"..."happy" or "sad"..."eager" or "apathetic"..."in line" or "out of line"...

Indeed, if we may not use 'good' or 'bad' as descriptors, we find that there are many other words which we can use to describe...what? or whom? When we leave the easy snap judgments of "right and wrong" and "good and bad" behind while speaking of Voices, we find something rather alarming: beyond judgment of the Voice, when we simply observe It, we find we are merely, and quite importantly, describing ourselves!

This reality, that we are inseparable from our Voices in judgement and observation, is key to understanding how to sing Opera Organically. It is the reason why I found solace and freedom in seeing my Voice as a separate Entity from myself during the most critical years of my development as a singer and as a person. Though this may seem like a step away from reality, for the singer who has become addicted to determining "good" or "bad" and "right" and "wrong", this pathway of separation from the Voice can lead to self-understanding which is not possible in a hyper-judgmental mental environment.

The First Principle challenges the mind but is easy for the heart to accept.


It sets the mind up to wonder:

~Where have I not yet delved deep enough to find purity?

~Where must I learn to listen for Truth?

~In what language does my True Voice speak to me?

~What is the True Source of my True Voice?

~Who am I criticizing when I criticize a Voice? What is the true meaning of discernment?...

As for the Heart, it gives Her food to live on, for She has always known, from the very beginning, that Her True Voice is the most beautiful and lovable of all!