Javier Camarena: Donizetti – Maria Stuarda – “Sì, Vuol Di Francia Il Rege” – “Ah, Quando All’ara”

DONIZETTI, Gaetano

Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart)

“Si, vuol di Francia il Rege” – “Ah, quando all’ara”

Javier Camarena, guest professor

Olga Syniakova, student

Duncan Gifford, accompanying pianist

The professor explains the basic structure of a bel canto opera: recitative-aria-cabaletta. The student needs to achieve a greater sense of continuity. To do this, it is important to know what is happening in the dramatic action. In the specific moment of the recitative, the doubt that invades the character must be shown. The dynamics of the score guide us to the state of mind of Maria Stuarda. It is necessary to find the sense of direction of the phrases, where the weight falls and where it is lighter. The appoggiaturas are very important because they mark the style.
In the aria, they practice the portamento in a passage to make it sound more supported. You should always try to prepare a change, a new entry with the same type of sound, placing in the same way and with the same quality. There is an inertia of the bel canto singers to give an accent to each high note, but it must be avoided. To reach the forte it is better to make a crescendo on the notes marked with a dot. You can take more time in the rallentando to then start the “a tempo”. Camarena finally comments that in the cabaletta the variations are better if they are done in the style of the composer.

Language: Spanish