I am soo dead

[birba]

OR, you're  ravished by their beauty (remember, physical appearance is just important to them as their voice) and it's all you can do to keep your hands off them.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Listen to the music lots. Cd's and such.  When it's in your head it's much easier.  Because the individual notes don't really count.  Harmony is more important.
And remember.  Even the most  prepared diva doesn't have half your intelligence and musicianship.  It's all about appearances.  That's why they're called divas.  So, it's YOUR appearance that's going to set them at ease and help them feel confident.  Talk.  Lots.  Stop to correct them.  With the appropriate compliments on their fabulous voice.  You know more about the aria then they do.
I've also found it helps to pretend you're gay.

Yeah, I'm like ommiting the left hand entirely in some spots. 

Intelligence and musicianship?  She's going to Oberlin next year lol.

Yes, I'm willing to pretend that I'm gay.

[birba]

The oberlin voice department is just as ignorant as the rest of them.
You don't have to play with both hands at the rehearsals.  You have to use one to conduct and coach her.

[austinarg]

Yes, I'm willing to pretend that I'm gay.

And what are you going to do if Valentina Lisitsa happens to be in the facilities while you are pretending gayness? 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

And what are you going to do if Valentina Lisitsa happens to be in the facilities while you are pretending gayness? 

I don't need to pretend I'm gay anymore!!!

I AM NOW READY...

Kinda...

Woo that was a close one, almost not in time.

[j_menz]

I AM NOW READY...

Kinda...

LOL. If she's a true Diva, she'll change arias half an hour before going on.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

LOL. If she's a true Diva, she'll change arias half an hour before going on.

I'm not worried about the aria anymore.

She gave me another freaking thing to do by Monday!

[ajspiano]

Oh, and you never want to see the hissy fit if you stuff it up!  Never!!!!  ***shudders

This was how I first truly knew fear. Things were thrown. Sharp things.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

This was how I first truly knew fear. Things were thrown. Sharp things.

Seriously???!!!?!

[ajspiano]

spam

[richard black]

Even the most  prepared diva doesn't have half your intelligence and musicianship.

You may be saying that ironically, I don't know, but some folks are liable to take it seriously and, having been working with opera singers for nigh on 30 years (from international-name professionals to high school students) I can assure you that it is very seldom the case. Most of the singers I know are modest about their musical abilities but in reality seem to know as much as me, and they often have very fine musical instincts. It's just that, simply because they don't get to hear the sounds they make anything like realistically, they rely much more on outside help than any instrumentalist. Also, unless they are very fluent pianists on the side, they don't get to hear the harmonies without someone else to play them. The odd idiot among singers doesn't affect the truth of this statement - there's the odd idiot among pianists too, and violinists, oboists....

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Also, unless they are very fluent pianists on the side,

She plays the piano 

[ajspiano]

She plays the piano 

Perfect, if she is unhappy with you're playing you can tell her she's welcome to accompany herself in the future.

[birba]

I'll never forget one audition i heard for a theatre.  The accompanist was quite unprepared and not doing too great a job.  She got so exasperated she stopped the audition, told him to leave, and sat down and accompanief herself!  An american soprano, really wonderful voice.
It's true what richard black said.  But i think the american singers are more prepared then most.  I remember working with pavarotti.  I swear to you he could not read music.  He learned everything by rote.  That's why magiera was on a fixed salary in his retinue.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Wow that was a REALLY close one. 

The perform was the very first time we executed the pieces without stopping in the middle.

CLUTCH MOTHAFUCKA!!!  *** yeah!!!

Actually we rehearsed a couple hours before hand, and she was like cursing herself out because she was like singing different parts in the songs. 

So then she came back and it just went down...

[j_menz]

Perhaps you should modify your post to clean up the language.

Then, change the thread topic to "I'm so lucky to be alive" 

[birba]

Wow that was a REALLY close one. 

The perform was the very first time we executed the pieces without stopping in the middle.

CLUTCH MOTHAFUCKA!!!  *** yeah!!!

Actually we rehearsed a couple hours before hand, and she was like cursing herself out because she was like singing different parts in the songs. 

So then she came back and it just went down...

YEA!!!!!