Guest Post - Andrew Robinson on this year's Fulham Opera Robert Presley Memorial Verdi Prize.

So on the 29th August, 2021, I find myself writing a blog for the Fulham Opera website about the FORPMVP (not an acronym that fits in the mouth comfortably, sadly!).

Oddly, this date also marks the anniversary of the day when Robert Presley came to the UK to live with me, in 2002, from California. In retrospect, I’m amazed, and eternally grateful, that this happened at all! (And also, HOW MANY years ago?!)

Several distinguished experts have spent many hours listening to the recordings of the 74 entrants of this year’s Verdi Prize to chose those singers, their ‘top ten’, who might be invited to sing in the live final. (We are so grateful for their commitment in giving of their time doing this.) We are also SO grateful to the individuals and corporate sponsors who have given money to make this year’s prize possible.

So how can an ultimate ‘top ten’ be decided, you may ask? 

Answer: It’s not easy. All the results are considered, sorted, and discussed to find a fair selection which will hopefully give a just and varied concert experience on October 17th.

 

Here are some of my personal thoughts and reflections on this:

  • Make sure you are entering the right competition! (It’s for the singing of Verdi!)

  • Understand the language, music, style, dramatic situation. Make sure of correct and understandable diction.

  • However tempting it is to sing to a recorded accompaniment - DON’T! [Okay, here I go: Singing to a recorded accompaniment, with piano or orchestra, can in no way let you phrase the way you would like to. It is therefore damaging to your performance and also potentially to your vocal health. (Feel strongly much, Andrew?! I have lost a lot of work over the past eighteen months or so, by refusing to work with singers made to squeeze or stretch their voices into ill-fitting backing tracks. Yes, I feel strongly!) Remember Procrustes!]Of course, it may be cheaper, but it is a false economy to do so. Yet I also believe that opera should not just be for those who can afford it - either actively or passively. This is one reason that this year’s entrance fee was hugely reduced.

 

Regarding this year’s competition, I’m so happy that Nadine Benjamin, MBE, who was the winner of the very first competition, and who has subsequently had so many Verdian, and other, operatic success, will be introducing the evening. And totally thrilled that Sir Thomas Allen, Gwyneth Ann Rand, and Richard Hetherington will be making the crucial decisions.

 

I wonder what Robert would say - maybe something like: ‘Bring on the hollering!’. 

 

I am sure however, that he, as I am, would be thrilled by this competition that Ben Woodward has created under the umbrella of Fulham Opera, the company that Robert helped create.

 

I look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Presley with Andrew Robinson at the piano. Cyprus 2005.

Natasha Elliott