"A man can be an artist... in anything, food, whatever. It depends on how good he is at it. Creasey's art is death. He's about to paint his masterpiece." - Rayburn in "Man on Fire".
This is a rather grim quote from one of my most favorite movies in recent times, but strangely relevant to my point.
I am an opera-tenor living and working in South Africa, with close to 20 years of experience on and off the stage. Singing is my art.
Over the years, people have always been fascinated by what I do for a living, usually reacting with shock and disbelieve that I am a full-time musician. The one question that keeps on popping up is simply: Why?
I love that question, usually I answer with a myriad of responses, but what it all boils down to is simply this: It makes me feel alive. There is no better feeling than a thousand or more people giving ovations after two hours of sweating on stage. It recharges me, gives me energy to live!
Have I painted my masterpiece? No. I feel opera singers needs to better themselves all the time, striving for that one masterpiece. Do I do it for the money? No. I am of the opinion that any opera singer looking to get rich from singing, is under a very strange illusion. Do I do it for the fame? No. But I have to admit it is a lot of fun when a group of giggling French schoolgirls stops you in a mall in Dijon, to get your signature.
I have been blessed in life to be able to do what I love as a career. People around me have always been supportive of my decisions, and I am eternally grateful. Therefore I sing not only for me, but for them as well, and for you.
Go paint that masterpiece.
This is a rather grim quote from one of my most favorite movies in recent times, but strangely relevant to my point.
I am an opera-tenor living and working in South Africa, with close to 20 years of experience on and off the stage. Singing is my art.
Over the years, people have always been fascinated by what I do for a living, usually reacting with shock and disbelieve that I am a full-time musician. The one question that keeps on popping up is simply: Why?
I love that question, usually I answer with a myriad of responses, but what it all boils down to is simply this: It makes me feel alive. There is no better feeling than a thousand or more people giving ovations after two hours of sweating on stage. It recharges me, gives me energy to live!
Have I painted my masterpiece? No. I feel opera singers needs to better themselves all the time, striving for that one masterpiece. Do I do it for the money? No. I am of the opinion that any opera singer looking to get rich from singing, is under a very strange illusion. Do I do it for the fame? No. But I have to admit it is a lot of fun when a group of giggling French schoolgirls stops you in a mall in Dijon, to get your signature.
I have been blessed in life to be able to do what I love as a career. People around me have always been supportive of my decisions, and I am eternally grateful. Therefore I sing not only for me, but for them as well, and for you.
Go paint that masterpiece.