To close out this year’s CLA Perspectives Series, we are proud to feature a singer who attended both of our 2021 programs - Scott La Marca.
Read below to learn how a CLA summer full rekindled Scott’s passion for opera.
Scott makes a new friend at the New Lebanon Farmer’s Market.
“For some time now I’ve struggled with the idea of getting myself up on stage and just doing my thing. To put things simply, it would look like I’ve suffered from a bad case of stage fright but it’s not that simple. The iceberg that sunk the Titanic likely dwarfed the ship in comparison to its true size hidden beneath the water. Fast forward to summer of 2021 amidst the great Covid “fog”, I was able to breath freely and find great peace thanks to Classic Lyric Arts. I’ve made new friends who’ve allowed me the opportunity to see this art form through so many different and interesting perspectives. I also must mention how grateful I am for the insightfulness found in the lengthy discussions amongst the passionate artists and faculty. John Viscardi and his mentorship left a deep impression in me. John is an incredible source of inspiration through his sense of awareness, motivation, and encouragement to always dig deeper.
Enjoying a hike in Scott’s signature style.
These past two sessions of French and Italian immersion have inspired me in so many ways to keep moving forward. Ive come to the realization that singing is, without question, the “thing” I must do every day - without hesitation or pause. The French musical language - with its subtlety, and the Italian - for its “uncontainably” contained passion. This environment was an opportunity to study where we found no self-preservation or hidden motives from students or faculty. It was the ideal place to completely free myself, and allow myself within the immersion of many ideas and opinions.
Anicet Castel was a marvelous teacher whose beautiful mind was overflowing with pearls and roads for me, as a curious student, to wander and explore. Ennio Brugnolo is the most beloved opera “Nonno” and I can only hope many more students have the privilege to work with him and his passion for stentorian singing. I will greatly miss our conversations about tenors and the most beautiful sounds that ever graced the stage. I cannot conclude this letter without mentioning Daniel Isengart and my great admiration for his passion and ideals. His Ten Commandments are perfectly and eloquently crafted as a mantra that every singer, or any artist, should read.
With immense gratitude,
Scott”
Scott and Sarah Fleiss (CLA 2019, CLA 2021) perform a duet at the Darrow School.