Exposition

Michael Chekhov’s acting technique through the lens of a classical singer (2023)

Vera Hjördís Matsdóttir
open exposition

About this exposition

Research questions: 1. In what ways is Michael Chekhov’s acting technique beneficial to classical singers portraying characters from operas in terms of the aspect of interpretation and acting, the aspect of mental preparation before a performance and the aspect of vocal projection? 2. Are there specific concepts of the technique that are especially relevant to classical singers and why? Summary of the results of the research: In terms of interpretation and acting, Michael Chekhov’s acting technique turned out to be very helpful to the singers. By exercising Chekhov’s concept, they acquired a sense of clarity to their character and a physical and psychological understanding. In terms of mental preparation, the singers felt like they gained tools in calming the mind, achieving a feeling of ease. And that in general, by moving the focus from the intellectual and to the body is a great antidote for nervousness. In terms of vocal projection, all the singers agreed that their vocal performance improved when they sang their aria the second time when they implemented Chekhov’s elements while performing the aria. There were differences of opinion among the singers as to which concepts of Chekhov’s were the most beneficial. Questionnaire and discussions though brought to light that the quality of radiation and the feeling of ease appealed particularly well to the singers. I believe that the reason for that is that these qualities create an ideal physical state to sing. The feeling of ease creates a sense of ground, openness, calmness and at the same time alertness. The quality of radiation gives off a strong feeling of confidence, power, and freedom. The act of singing requires physical strength but without creating excessive tension in the body. Healthy singing requires being both firm and soft, which is achieved with both concepts.
typeresearch exposition
keywordsopera, acting, acting technique, classical singer
date18/11/2022
published31/05/2023
last modified31/05/2023
statuspublished
share statusprivate
copyrightVera Hjördís Matsdóttir
licenseAll rights reserved
urlhttps://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/1925541/1925527
published inKC Research Portal
portal issue1. Master Research Projects


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1925523 Michael_Chekhov_1910х Wikipedia All rights reserved
1925525 Eric_XIV_-_M._Chekhov_1921 Wikipedia All rights reserved
1925526 IMG-4644 Vera Hjördís Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1925506 mariagella2 Vikram Pradhan All rights reserved
1925508 mariagella1 Vikram Pradhan All rights reserved
1925509 IMG-4174 Vera Hjördís Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1925511 consentform Vera Hjördís Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1925512 Rough structure Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1925504 Michael Chekhov Wikipedia All rights reserved
1925505 Vera Matsdóttir María Sól Ingólfsdóttir CC BY-NC-ND
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1925510 IMG-4645 Vera Hjördís Matsdóttir All rights reserved
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1925514 Michael_Chekhov_1910х Wikipedia All rights reserved
1925515 _98A9620-Copy1 Gunnhildur Lind All rights reserved
1925516 IMG-2949 Vera Hjördís Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1925517 IMG-2959 Vera Hjördís Matsdóttir All rights reserved
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1925519 IMG-2959 Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
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1925522 Michael_Chekhov_1910х Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1925524 Eric_XIV_-_M._Chekhov_1921 Wikipedia All rights reserved
1942821 PAMINAMAPPING Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1955829 singerphoto Vera Matsdóttir Public domain
1957501 good wife Lady's Homemaker monthly All rights reserved
1957503 goodwife2 The Hulton Getty Picture Collection Public domain
1957599 chekhov3 Vera Matsdóttir Public domain
1957601 chekhov4 Vera Matsdóttir Public domain
1957608 hovi Vera Matsdóttir Public domain
1957610 hovi Vera Matsdóttir Public domain
1957612 2hovi Vera Matsdóttir Public domain
1957614 hovi3 Vera Matsdóttir Public domain
1964414 Feeling of ease Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1964448 Molding Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1964566 floating Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1964685 floating Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1964717 flying Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1964724 radiation Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1964842 IMG_7669 Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1964867 molding Vera Matsdóttir CC BY-NC-ND
1964875 floating Vera Matsdóttir CC BY-NC-ND
1964881 flying Vera Matsdóttir CC BY-NC-ND
1964903 radiation Vera Matsdóttir All rights reserved
1964937 chekhovgæi Vera Matsdóttir Public domain

comments: 1 (last entry by Susan Williams - 22/02/2023 at 22:21)