Call me Mister

Master Class for up to 8 singers and any number of auditors

Kimberly Barber has had an extensive career playing "trouser" or "travesti" roles, donning the clothing of the opposite sex to portray young men—a time-honoured operatic and theatrical tradition. Out of this personal history comes a wealth of experience of "gender bending", allowing her to give practical and artistic advice to mezzo-sopranos or sopranos wishing to undertake these, particularly for mezzos, ubiquitous parts. Ms Barber works intensively with each singer for a minimum of 20 minutes, exploring an individual aria from the vast repertoire of "trouser" roles and working on dramatic and musical aspects of this aria to flesh out the character.

This is also a fascinating workshop for opera fans or neophytes who may be confused by the travesti tradition, providing a window for them into the singer’s art.

Potential repertoire:

• Handel: Rinaldo, Nerone, Ariodante, Bradamante, Ruggiero, Serse, Polinesso etc.
• Mozart: Cherubino, Idamante, Annio, Sesto etc.
• Strauss: Octavian, Composer
• Verdi: Oscar
And many other possibilities!

Possible discussion points:

1. General vocal/artistic coaching; traditions of the role

• Work with each individual singer, fleshing out characterization through phrasing, language and interpretive details
• Discussion of performance practices and traditions for specific roles (both musical and physical)
• Possible work on baroque ornamentation

2. Male physicality

• Discussion of body language in a male context - how to walk, move, use the body

3. History of travesti parts

• Discussion of the origins of cross-dressing in theatre
• Explanation of the reasons behind putting women in male parts

4. Audition dress

• Hints for audition/concert dress for females portraying male roles