This morning’s main activity was our attendance at the workshop on participation and improvisation, at the Welsh College of Music and Drama. I’m not sure whether I’m relieved or disappointed that we ended up as observers rather than participants. Either way it was very interesting in relation to the theme of performance. Some time ago I used to teach a final year option on “Society as Theatre”. The course examined the uses (and abuses) of the theatrical metaphor in the social sciences, and included a series of workshops looking at the different ways in which writers about theatre have understood their craft. It was remarkable how much of this morning’s session was familiar, and really brought home the diverse aspects of music (especially singing) as performance. The final exercise was a text-book illustration of the work of Jerzy Grotowski.
I spent the middle part of the day on an art search around Cardiff, investigating (with the invaluable advice of the city library) the possibilities for exhibition in the area. The short answer was “not many”, but it was a useful experience. Then I treated myself to one of my favourite places in the city, the Martin Tinney gallery. I have been there on each of my visits to Cardiff and it is always worthwhile. The stuff is pricey, but always good quality. The current feature is the work of Stephen Young, whose show takes the theme of “An Evening Out”, in recognition of the “Singer of the World” competition. He has a great sense of humour, capturing instances of diverted attention, sometimes in very subtle ways.
Last night’s round of the competition I felt to be the best so far. The decision of the jury was very controversial, as they gave their vote to a young Mongolian baritone, Amartuvshin Enkhbat. He really did have a superb voice, and enormous stage presence. A large part of the audience, I believe, thought that their vote should have gone to the mezzo-soprano from the USA. The choice was fundamentally between approaches to performance. He represented the old-fashioned “stand and deliver” school, whereas she was clearly in the camp of those who see singing as largely a dramatic art, not relying simply on vocal technique. There is a “wild card” to be awarded at the end of the heats so there is still a chance that she might make it into the final. There are several contenders for that card, however, and it will be interesting to discover, at the end of this evening’s heat, who will be in the last five, for Sunday night’s final.