Complete Scene I from Act I of my Opera...

I don't mean to sound redundant here, but you are simply shooting yourself in the foot by refusing to post the text/score/libretto. The fact of the matter is that opera is based entirely around the libretto. It is the key fundamental part of any opera. I don't understand why you think you would be "giving something away" when in actuality, you're just confusing everyone by responding to their comments with "Well I meant to do that because of this character I'm not going to tell you anything about" or "Well, I had to include that because this scene depends on it, even though I won't tell you how or why."

I typically make it a point to never listen to a composition unless it has a score or live performance. This is simply because the context can never be understood, the text setting cannot be fully appreciated, and the fact that you're working on a part of this score that you probably will need a lot of help on, but won't get any until it's too late. As a singer I find this aggrivating, and as an opera singer I find it insulting. I spend all my time making sure that I can convey the meaning of the text and be clearly understood through the orchestra and ensemble. The actual music is actually one of the smallest parts of what I do as an opera singer.

So I've had my say, include it with everyone elses, but you will never get a decent critique of this work without the score. It's just plain pointless to post anything without one.

Oh my - my - my! It seems as if you've been holding in your grievances about as long as the characters in my opera! I guess you've reached your Act III release and closusre as well?

Now, let me get serious for a minute (but just one minute). I mentioned that there is no score "as of now" meaning there is one to come! Also, twice in this thread when members asked about the score I replied that once the opera was more complete I would place it in Major Works with secitons of the libretto! Also, I don't post my pieces because I'm in need of help on the composition process (nice attempt at the jab though). So, as a singer be insulted, annoyed, dismayed, aggrivated, fatigued, famished or whaterever it is you become in these moments. I have had experiences as a composer when pieces and ideas are stolen, used or shared too early in an uncontrolled environment. The opera is not near complete as yet and I will not post any part of the libretto or score until I feel the work is complete enough to share. For that I make no apologies. Yes, the idea of sharing is also to learn but that will have to wait until I'm ready to post the sections of the score and libretto.Whether other composers agree with me is not my concern. I have my reasons based on my experiences and I stand by them. All you had to do was read when I mentioned that I would post sections of the libretto at a later time.

So many people say that they don't take a listen unless there is a score present but there are threads floating around with "X number of views/downloads" and still no comments. I have no problem sharing scores if someone really feels as if they need it to give proper comments. But at this time with this piece I have made my decision to do things differently.

I'm definitely ok with the fact that I may not get a decent critique. I'm a little more thick-skinned and iron spined to have serious issues on that subject. I don't post pieces that often. When I do post and they don't recieve comments I usually figure its because no score is present and I'm ok with that. But, if someone really would like to see one, they can just ask and I'll post one.

You had your say, and with it you haven't taught me anything or said anything that I don't already know. Its too bad to suffer a massive attack of some kind, or so it seems. I personally don't loose sleep over these kinds of things. But, I'm glad you had a good listen and enjoyed the piece enough to want to rant about the libretto and miss out on the fact that I would post sections of the libretto when things were a bit more complete.

*For the other members on YC, I don't mean to insult you by not posting the libretto. But, when the piece is more complete it will appear when I post or repost sections of the oper.

Originally Posted by Nightingale Incorporated

I don't mean to sound redundant here, but you are simply shooting yourself in the foot by refusing to post the text/score/libretto. The fact of the matter is that opera is based entirely around the libretto. It is the key fundamental part of any opera. I don't understand why you think you would be "giving something away" when in actuality, you're just confusing everyone by responding to their comments with "Well I meant to do that because of this character I'm not going to tell you anything about" or "Well, I had to include that because this scene depends on it, even though I won't tell you how or why."

I typically make it a point to never listen to a composition unless it has a score or live performance. This is simply because the context can never be understood, the text setting cannot be fully appreciated, and the fact that you're working on a part of this score that you probably will need a lot of help on, but won't get any until it's too late. As a singer I find this aggrivating, and as an opera singer I find it insulting. I spend all my time making sure that I can convey the meaning of the text and be clearly understood through the orchestra and ensemble. The actual music is actually one of the smallest parts of what I do as an opera singer.

So I've had my say, include it with everyone elses, but you will never get a decent critique of this work without the score. It's just plain pointless to post anything without one.

Does a movie director release the script before the big release?

no... but I bet you the studio LEAKS information and then it's posted online by some dude, and then it adds hype and buzz, though it could be a fake script or a decoy. So, maybe this is jus a decoy, and the real opera is something completely different...

Pardon me, but this is a forum, so if you don't want help with your piece, or advice, this may not be the best place to post it. I was giving you my opinion with the understanding that others had asked you for the score as well. As I said, there is really no reason for me to listen to a score where the emphasis is on singing and text if there isn't actually any singing or text involved in the samples. You might as well call it a symphony, and I'd be much more inclined to comment on it then.

However, I am a singer, and I am therefore intrigued by the notion of modern opera, so I like to offer my assistance any way I can if I find out someone is writing an opera, or needs to get it performed. I have not listened to your opera, I don't know if it's good enough to gripe and moan about, I just know that you, like so many others before you, have taken the singing out of the one art form that is entirely based on singing. When others post songs, but only post a MIDI file, I give them the same speech.

This is a learning community, and if you feel you have reached a level of expertise that you think you can get by just fine without any help, then fine. Don't expect any help or support from me. But if I wasn't an oboist, but I was writing an oboe concerto, I'd probably want a few comments from an actual oboist so I could succeed. My roommate is a very skilled composer, yet he constantly asks me for help while he's writing vocal/choral stuff. If you're a singer, the point may be mute, but only if you're actually an opera singer. It certainly wouldn't hurt you a bit to elicit the help of your fellow colleagues.

A few points...

#1) If I ever feel the need for help or guidance I am not one to be afraid to ask for it.

#2) Yes, I have had fair amount of experience in singing art songs, arias and doing opera scences.

#3) Just because I choose to post the libretto and other parts of the score at a later time doesn't mean I've taken the singing out of the art form.

#4) Not trying to insult you or anything but, I am not you or your roomate.

#5) I never mentioned that I expected help or support from you, specifically. And, its not becuase I have anything against you. Its quite the contrary.

#6) Providing a synopsis with the mp3 was my way of still trying to share a bit of the music as it will be a while before the entire thing is complete. To me its the same as a movie director showing bits of an upcoming movie without giving away much detail.

#7) If members choose to listen and not comment, I'm good. No complaints.

#8) If you've not taken a listen after reading the synopsis then all this back and forth in merely junking up the thread.

#9) Very nice and thoughtful that you would like to offer assistance to someone who is writing an opera. I sense that you are very sincere about your statement. But, you could have approached me differenly so that we could have had a more friendly discourse.

The opening chorus is all I have time to listen to, but I'm really enjoying it. It seems to evoke an arriving army or something, in some sort of distant land I've never heard of. It's not hugely tuneful, but then again, most operas can't be tuneful all the time. If they were, they'd get boring much faster.

You're description is pretty accurate. But, I can say no more.
The opening chorus does have military implications while being not as "tuneful".

Glad you are enjoying it. Thanks for the listen. I hope you are not offended by the lack of score/libretto just now.

Heheh. Why all this secrecy!

I just listened to the opening and I feel quite impressed! I shall keep an eye on this thread...