Today is “Risshun”- the first day of spring in the traditional Japanese lunar calendar.
Wind is still cold – but spring is approaching slowly and surely!
“Ode to Early Spring(早春賦)”,which we are practicing for coming performance right now describes the feeling that we may have in this season.
Ode to Early Spring
Translated by Caroline E. Kano
The spring is but a name in the chill of the wind,
The bush warbler in the valley, though longing to sing,
Finds still it is too soon to trill his song,
Finds still it is too soon to trill his song.
The pond ice thaws, and reeds begin to sprout,
“Oh, spring has come at last,” I rejoice, yet, alas!
Today, as yesterday, the sky is filled with snow,
Today, as yesterday, the sky is filled with snow.
If I had not heard ’twas spring, I would not know,
Yet now I’ve heard, my heart impatiently takes flight!
Oh, how should I bide this wondrous time?
Oh, how should I bide this wondrous time?
O Lex Dictionary: 「連載 続・日本の歌」より
http://olex.sakura.ne.jp/blog/category/o-lex-blog/serial/
さて、妙子先生の提案で、最近は発声指導の教材として「イタリア歌曲」を取り入れるようにもなりました。まずは試しに「’O Sole Mio」、「Caro Mio Ben」の２曲が配布され、発声練習に歌い始めました。ちんぷんかんぷんなイタリア語に苦労しながらも、歌ってみると開放感たっぷりで意外に楽しいことを発見。いずれは難しい巻き舌もうまくかっこよくできるようになりたいですね・・。
We have started to sing Italian songs and arias for our voice training following advice from Taeko-sensei!
Happy New Year!
We had our first 2016 rehearsal on Janurary 7th with new three members!! We are so happy to get started this season with new members.
We are going to have a special performance at Ikebana(Japanase flower arrangement) International event in February. Some of our members are planning to wear Kimono for the event. We will post the pictures on this blog, so please check back again soon!
