Nicolai Gedda

The exact date of this episode is unknown. We've filled in the date above with a placeholder. What we actually have on record is: 1960-12-uu.

Expansion of his repertoire. His voice is continuing to develop. Dramatic tenor roles like Dimitri to light lyric roles like Octovio. Roles he is looking forward to.

Likes singing Pucinni's Pinkerton.

Every singer should develop vocally and artistically at least till the age of 45. Classical training by vocalizing each day for at least 30 minutes. Having a good teacher.

He confesses to having had a sinus operation in Munich a few years ago. The sinus was blocked and now it is cleared up. Resonanace and dynamics have improved. Talks about his taking of drama lessons in New York with a Russian teacher. Voice is not enough. Finding the right school and teacher. Difficult to give advice. My own experience is that a young singer should attend as many concerts and performances as possible and approach the artist with questions. He himself have responded to young singers. First good teacher in Sweden and referred them to him. Difficult to find the right teacher.

Has seen a lot examples of wasted time and money for singers with real talent. A good teacher will tell their student early on if they should continue. Talent coming from Scandinavia. Can't explain it. Voice is somehow healthier. Not only training.
More difficult to sing in America than in Scandinavia. Auditoriums are larger here. He wouldn't sing in New York more than twice a week.

Gedda talks about speaking Swedish, Russian, German, English and French and Italian which he learned on his own. Somewhat difficult for him to sing in English.

WNYC archives id: 90964