When I was a child, one of my dad’s favorite jokes was to announce with great emphasis, “I never exaggerate.” At first, I did not understand why this was funny. But one day it dawned on me that by saying he never exaggerated, he was actually exaggerating. That light bulb moment when I discovered this ironic contradiction was so delightful that identifying paradoxes became a fascination. Perhaps that is why one such paradox struck me recently as I prepared the cover story for this issue.
This month’s cover story features an interview with soprano Diana Soviero, who some have called the last of the great verismo sopranos. The daughter of Italian immigrants, Soviero personifies a generation that valued hard work. When asked what mistake she sees the next generation making, she replied, “[They are] too distracted with their little gadgets to focus on the work!”
Between e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and texting on everything from laptops to Blackberries to iPads, we are a gadget generation. In theory, such technology should allow us to stay better connected with friends, family, and colleagues and increase our productivity more than ever before. And yet, ironically, these gadgets can be supreme time wasters, distracting us from the things that are most important—like face-to-face relationships, time in the practice room, or true productivity with critical tasks. Perhaps most importantly, this overemphasis on technology can stifle our creativity—an attribute that can allow us our greatest joys as singers.
These “gadgets” can sidetrack us, but they also offer endless opportunities for learning and discovery—including experiencing great artists of the past, like Soviero. Just take a moment and search “Diana Soviero Merv Griffin” on YouTube. You will quickly discover a delightful eight minutes of ’80s television, featuring Soviero on the Merv Griffin Show. Not only do you get to partake of Soviero’s laugh, sense of humor, and infectious charm, you can also experience her gloriously beautiful and seemingly effortless rendition of “Summertime”—all made possible through the wonders of modern technology.
Wrapped within the current technological revolution are a myriad of contradicting benefits and detriments. Life is full of such contradictions. As you read this issue, you may well spot additional paradoxes, like how you have to spend money to make money (p. 8), or how healthy-looking vocal folds do not always equal a fresh and responsive singing voice (p. 34), or how sometimes when something feels wrong, it actually means it is right (p. 36).
The contrast between opposites is often what makes life most interesting. We can savor and appreciate the good more fully after experiencing the bad. And sometimes a momentary distraction can help us better focus in on what’s really important. In the end, it is how we respond to life’s paradoxes that can make all the difference.
