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Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Trinity Life

Media Credit: Erik Skoglund SING-A-LONG: Pianist Dottie Randall accompanies Nicholas May, a junior baritone at the University of Texas, San Antonio, as he performs "Avant de Quitter Ceslieux" from Faust. The vocal master class, taught by Sherrill Milnes, was held last Saturday and also included three Trinity students in the performances.

Sponsored by the San Antonio Opera and Trinity, the vocal master class with Sherrill Milnes at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 in Ruth Taylor Recital Hall drew about 50 students and teachers. The crowd met Milnes' appearance onstage with enthusiastic applause.
"Today is special. This is a tremendous man, tremendous performer, and now a tremendous educator," said Mark Richter, founder of the San Antonio Opera, who worked for four years to hold this event. "He is one of the true greats of the Metropolitan Opera and the world."
Milnes has given 500 recitals and performed in six to eight operas in San Antonio, and he likened the change of the San Antonio scene over the past years to "The Wizard of Oz," when Dorothy suddenly steps out of Kansas.
"It's Technicolor," Milnes said. "It's exciting that you have reestablished that passion and that energy."
Next he warmed the audience up with church bulletin typos, some of which read, "The prayer and fasting conference includes meals," "The peacemaking meeting has been cancelled due to a conflict," and the topper: "Our sermon will be about 'What is hell?' Come early and hear our church choir practice."
Milnes made clear how important it is not to stumble over one's name or that of the composer in an audition or performance, and he dealt with acknowledging the audience properly.
"The extra bow is not necessary," Milnes said. "It's more an inclination of the head. Remember the performance starts the instant you are seen. People are thinking things. It has to do with a sense of confidence."
Singing is a wet art, he said, handing the singers water bottles. Singing in foreign languages provides additional hurdles, hurdles which German singers do not necessarily have to cross as a result of the vast repertoire available.

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