A Master Class with an Opera Star

Lyric soprano Nicole Cabell visits Carthage

Nicole Cabell's Master ClassNicole Cabell visited Carthage Oct. 27-28 to work with Carthage music students.

One of the world's most exciting up-and-coming opera singers came to Carthage this week to coach music students and perform for the Carthage community. Nicole Cabell, winner of the 2005 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, was on campus Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 27 and 28.

On Tuesday Ms. Cabell spoke to music students and led a Master Class. On Wednesday, she performed at the morning worship service in A.F. Siebert Chapel. She performed "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" and "Ride On, King Jesus," accompanied by music professor Gregory Berg. She was also a guest on WGTD's Morning Show, hosted by Prof. Berg.

"This is a fantastic opportunity," said Jillian Swanson, '11, one of six music majors who performed for Ms. Cabell in Tuesday's Master Class. "Working with someone as accomplished as Ms. Cabell is a true gift that many singers won't ever have the opportunity to receive."

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"... whatever this soprano chooses to sing, her voice makes
wonderful music with it." — Financial Times

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A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Ms. Cabell has sung with the Lyric Opera of Chicago since 2002. Her career took off after winning the Cardiff competition. This season she will perform with the New Orleans Opera, as Juliette in Charles-Francois Gounod's Romeo et Juliette (Nov. 20 and 22); the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as Adina in Gaetano Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love (Jan. 23-Feb. 5, 2010), and The Metropolitan Opera in New York as Musetta in Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème (Feb. 20-March 6).

A resident of Chicago, Ms. Cabell visited Carthage in 2007 as a Sam and Gene Johnson Distinguished Visitor.

"She just loves it here," said Dr. James C. Ripley, associate professor of music and director of instrumental music activities at Carthage. Dr. Ripley knew Ms. Cabell as a student at Eastman. "She loves to work with the students. ... She's a major artist on the world stage and an engaging teacher."

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"The biggest hardship is being away from home, but that's what you sign up for." — Nicole Cabell during a conversation with Carthage students

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On Tuesday, Oct. 27, Ms. Cabell met with about 60 Carthage music students for a conversation in A.F. Siebert Chapel. She answered questions and spoke frankly about the life and work of a performer.

She spends much of the year traveling for concerts, recitals and opera performances. "The biggest hardship is being away from home, but that's what you sign up for," she said. "You have to ask yourself: 'Am I willing to sacrifice my social life and having normal social relationships and a family life?' ...While it's a wonderful life, there are a lot of sacrifices, too."

She also said performers have to be prepared for the pressure.

"The pressure can get intense," she said. "You have to go through years of finding out how you're going to deal with this kind of pressure."

Audience members asked Ms. Cabell questions about her performance schedule, singing while sick and the effect of traveling to varied climates on her voice. "There are actually certain cities that I'm allergic to,” she said, laughing. She takes care to dress for the weather — "I wear a lot of scarves" — and takes supplements before airplane rides. "Always stay warm, stay hydrated and take care of your body," she advised.

Another student asked whether performers are able to maintain healthy relationships. "Most people I know have rules, such as a rule that they see each other every two or three weeks, even if it's only for one day," Ms. Cabell answered. " 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder,' " she quipped.

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"What does it take to make it? And if one doesn't sound like Nicole Cabell, is there hope?" — an audience member's question to Ms. Cabell

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Ms. Cabell performed three Spanish songs by Fernando J. Obradors for the students. She then answered additional questions. One audience member asked: "What does it take to make it? And if one doesn't sound like Nicole Cabell, is there hope?"

"I never was the best vocalist. I was a pleasing voice," Ms. Cabell answered. "It's about so much more. ... You have to bring a sense of acting. It does matter what you look like, what you wear. Unfortunately the industry is leaning that way right now; just try to look the best you can.

"And you need to have the basics," she continued. "You need to be on time. You have to know your music. If you show up at your rehearsal and you don't know your music, you’re out."

Finally, be persistent.

"In the face of rejection, you have to keep going. You have to keep plugging away," she said. "If you’re wondering 'Do I have what it takes?' you have to sing for people — a good number of people to get consensus."

And you have to work.

"I worked like racehorse from 2005 to 2008," she said. "I took one month off."

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"To be able to sing for such a knowledgeable and successful professional is an unbelievable opportunity because she has a great insight into what it takes to be successful in today's world." — Aileen Farrell, '10

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In Tuesday's Master Class, Ms. Cabell worked with six students selected by faculty. All six are majoring in music with an emphasis in vocal performance; they will compete in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Wisconsin competition in November, Dr. Ripley said.

Ms. Cabell worked with each student for a half hour. She listened to them perform and offered technical and artistic suggestions.

Jillian Swanson performed 'Caro Nome' from Verdi's opera Rigoletto.

"I will have specific questions for her: What can I do to fully engage the audience in what I have to say through song? What actions or expression will make my interpretation unique as well as staying true to the context of the piece of music? And lastly, in what ways can I improve my singing technically?" Miss Swanson said prior to the class.

Meeting with such accomplished professional vocalists as Ms. Cabell "gives me the gift of talking with someone who has been in my shoes in the past, who knows the steps to take and how the performance as a career works," Miss Swanson said.

Music major Aileen Farrell, '10, agreed.

"It is always a great opportunity to sing for and get feedback from professionals in the field," she said. "However, to be able to sing for such a knowledgeable and successful professional is an unbelievable opportunity because she has a great insight into what it takes to be successful in today's world. ...

"Meeting with professional performers first demonstrates that it is possible to make it as a performer, and it also gives you an example and sets a standard of what to work toward. If you can even begin to emulate that example chances are you are moving in the right direction."

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"A soprano with aristocratic poise, warmth and lyric line, Cabell also proved an actor of sensitivity and credibility." — Los Angeles Times

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Nicole Cabell's Master Class