In Concert: Dame Screechy Cantatrice, Soprano Quiz

Answer: False

Generally speaking, when a singer is giving a recital, it is only or mostly with (art) songs and piano. The exceptions are usually for opera galas, in which the performer would appear with other artists with or without a conductor and orchestra; and or an orchestral concert specifically stating that the diva or divo will be singing famous operatic arias. Keep this in mind and you will not be disappointed once you look at the program.

Answer: There is a 'Text & Translations' insert inside the program

With the exception of the Marilyn Horne Foundation, which has begun the innovative practice of projected translations on a screen above the singer's head, any half-decent recitalist will provide you with translations, sometimes even including the text of songs in English. You can't miss these inserts: they are bigger than the program itself, and are sometimes in bright colors. Just remember to make any page turns as quietly as possible.

Answer: No

Anytime that you see a group of songs by the same composer in the program, PLEASE hold your applause until after the last piece, just as you would (and should) NOT clap between movements of an instrumental piece. The reason for this is because most of the time, the songs belong in a set or a cycle (example: Schumann's "Dichterliebe" or Schubert's "Schwanengesang"), and each subsequent piece must be sung as soon as possible after the preceding one so as not to lose the mood/flow of the entire group.

Case in point: When the fabulous Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel gave his much anticipated recital in NYC a few years ago, the eager and very appreciative audience gave a rousing applause after each song. With aplomb, Terfel told the audience that he appreciated their enthusiasm and approval, but "ladies and gentlemen: if you are going to clap after each song, we are going to be here all night, aren't we?".

Answer: All of these

Please, out of courtesy to the performers and other audience members, please remember to turn off any device that will disrupt the concert. And especially in NYC, if you do not do so, you may be fined and asked to leave the premises!

Answer: Enthusiastic applause

Indeed, not all opera singers are hefty, especially nowadays, as the trend is quickly moving toward casting singers who look the part more than sound the part. Perhaps Maria Callas began the whole craze by slimming down in the '60's in order to prove that one can look like Audrey Hepburn and still sing beautifully and powerfully.

Answer: No

First of all, if he is able to walk right in without being stopped by an usher, then the usher should be fired! The usher will wait immediately outside the rear of the concert hall, until there is a pause in the program, to cause the least possible disturbance. Also, if this is a seated/ticketed event and you arrive late, you may have to wait until intermission to be able to sit in your front row seat.

Answer: False

Don't you dare! Most concert and opera halls have a posted sign that says no photographic or recording devices are permitted inside. This is for copyright issues (yes, a singer's live performance is copyrighted and can only be reproduced with written consent).

Answer: False

No! Never! This is not the movie theatre! Presuming that you were successful in bringing such things inside the concert hall in the first place, you will be promptly ejected once you begin to snack on them.

Answer: Keep applauding until the singer and accompanist return to the stage

99% of singers have at least one encore planned that is not included in the program. Though most people would think that shouting 'Encore' is suitable at this moment, it is not. It is presumptuous (some - the minority assuredly - singers do not have an encore)! The best show of appreciation of the performance and therefore the desire for an encore is to clap as loudly as possibly, shouting "brava," if desired, until the singer and the accompanist (pianist) have returned. [The singer and accompanist generally exit after each group/cycle of songs, so that the singer can rest a bit and get some much needed water before returning.

They will also exit after the last song on the program.] And when they have returned, remain standing and applauding until she signals for you to stop; at that point, she will announce (or not announce, if it is well-known enough) her extra piece(s).

Answer: No

Please don't shout the name of a song or aria for the singer to sing. Most chances are that the singer and the accompanist do not have that particular piece of music, and therefore your request would not be filled. Besides, what if every other person did; can you imagine the noise?

If the recital had been strictly limited to art songs, the singer would most likely sing at least one aria, or a popular or Broadway-type tune. Some, such as soprano Deborah Voight, have even been known to sit at the piano and accompany themselves or play a sonata! Others, like sopranos Leontyne Price in the past, or Renee Fleming and mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves in the present, have had special songs (usually humorous) commissioned for them specifically to be sung as an encore.

I hope you have enjoyed this quiz and will be eager to take all that you have learned with you to an upcoming recital near you!

***Disclaimer: Dame Screechy Cantatrice (from a line in Victor Herbert's "Art is Calling for Me" {aka "I Want to Be a Prima Donna"} from the "Enchantress") and her accompanist Mittens (a derogatory nickname for an inept accompanist) Bangem are fictitious characters; any similarities to actual persons are purely coincidental. :-)