The little great Tenor

[Jeso]

Hi OperaLively community, just passing through and leaving you a video of my little brother Alexis Flores, aspiring opera singer, singing "Granada" he is only 14 years old, but he's shown great talent and promise.

Enjoy.

[Almaviva]

Impressive!

[MAuer]

Is he thinking about studying voice when he goes to college?

[Jeso]

Yes, he has decided singing opera to be his career path, so he is been studying under a couple great teachers now, he is also studying piano. He has been on the radio, and appeared in the local TV twice, i think he is well on his way to succeed, we just need more people to know about him.

[Almaviva]

Jeso, you should read this interview about operatic education:

http://operalively.com/forums/conten...-and-a-student

Maybe he should contact the faculty at the Fletcher Institute for advice. They do have a high school there as well.

Good luck to Alexis!

(PS - He needs to be very careful and prudent as he develops, in order to avoid damaging his voice)

[Anne of Green Gables]

i think he is well on his way to succeed, we just need more people to know about him.

Really, for what? Who should know him now? 14 years old boy is of no serious use for real deal, he should sing in choirs, learn and stuff for another few years and for all that time never think, ever for once, about how many people know him and that his goal is to increase that number, unless you want him to have his peak in his teens, as five-minutes sensation, instead as a mature artist, on real stage and in lenghty career.

[Jeso]

Really, for what? Who should know him now? 14 years old boy is of no serious use for real deal, he should sing in choirs, learn and stuff for another few years and for all that time never think, ever for once, about how many people know him and that his goal is to increase that number, unless you want him to have his peak in his teens, as five-minutes sensation, instead as a mature artist, on real stage and in lenghty career.

So... you are saying that popularity will do him harm?? thanks for the advice anyways.

[Amfortas]

Aramis doesn't pull any punches, but he makes a good point. Eventually Alexis will want to think, not just about having a career, but about what *kind* of career he wants, and for how long. Some paths are more painstaking than others.

Still, it's encouraging to see such talent at such a young age!

[Anne of Green Gables]

So... you are saying that popularity will do him harm?

Yes, the popularity generated unnaturally by family wanting to have him famous and making them proud at the very moment, without years of training that create serious artist, will most likely charm the kid, turn his efforts and sensitivity in absolutely wrong direction.

[Almaviva]

You mean harm the kid, not charm the kid, right, Aramis?

Jeso, I actually kind of agree with Aramis. I was chatting one of these days with friends about that young conductor, the kid whose video conducting Beethoven's 5th went viral, at age 3. And then, a couple of years later, he *is* studying conducting with a professional conductor, and has conducted full orchestras several times already. So, yes, it is amazing to see such young talent, and let's not forget that in the musical world, there are indeed young brains who seemed to be wired for music and can develop really fast - we've seen these cases in History with precocious composers.

But, we need to also think that these young brains are... *young* brains. Sometimes too much pressure and exposure, and too much expectation, can derail a kid's *emotional* development. In this case, yes, excessive popularity has been known for harming the psychological development of a child. Not to forget the issue of unmet expectations if ultimately the kid doesn't do as well as we all hope for, in this cut-throat business that is certainly talent-driven, but also depends on lots of luck (being in the right place at the right time, etc.).

I'm not implying that this (i.e., creating too much expectation and pressure) is what your family is doing, since I have no data to say so (and one might add that it's none of my business), but Aramis and Amfortas do have a point, that prudence is desirable when dealing with the psychological development of a child - not to forget the issue of young vocal chords and how they need to be preserved from harm.

So, all that we are saying, is: be prudent, my friend. It's not criticism, but rather, friendly advice.

[Jeso]

Pie Jesu - O sole Mio

Skip to 0:40 for the singing.

[Jeso]

You mean harm the kid, not charm the kid, right, Aramis?

Jeso, I actually kind of agree with Aramis. I was chatting one of these days with friends about that young conductor, the kid whose video conducting Beethoven's 5th went viral, at age 3. And then, a couple of years later, he *is* studying conducting with a professional conductor, and has conducted full orchestras several times already. So, yes, it is amazing to see such young talent, and let's not forget that in the musical world, there are indeed young brains who seemed to be wired for music and can develop really fast - we've seen these cases in History with precocious composers.

But, we need to also think that these young brains are... *young* brains. Sometimes too much pressure and exposure, and too much expectation, can derail a kid's *emotional* development. In this case, yes, excessive popularity has been known for harming the psychological development of a child. Not to forget the issue of unmet expectations if ultimately the kid doesn't do as well as we all hope for, in this cut-throat business that is certainly talent-driven, but also depends on lots of luck (being in the right place at the right time, etc.).

I'm not implying that this (i.e., creating too much expectation and pressure) is what your family is doing, since I have no data to say so (and one might add that it's none of my business), but Aramis and Amfortas do have a point, that prudence is desirable when dealing with the psychological development of a child - not to forget the issue of young vocal chords and how they need to be preserved from harm.

So, all that we are saying, is: be prudent, my friend. It's not criticism, but rather, friendly advice.

Yea, thanks for the advice, Alexis is prudent, doesn't think at all about how many people will watch him next time, or to fulfill expectations, he just wants to sing, and he keeps getting invited to events to do so, so do you think we should reject those invitations? he is taking lessons from professionals, so the preservation and care for his voice is being taken care off.

[Almaviva]

Yea, thanks for the advice, Alexis is prudent, doesn't think at all about how many people will watch him next time, or to fulfill expectations, he just wants to sing, and he keeps getting invited to events to do so, so do you think we should reject those invitations? he is taking lessons from professionals, so the preservation and care for his voice is being taken care off.

Well, good for him, then. No, I don't think he should decline invitations. Just, should be prudent, and it looks like you are already being prudent, so, good.

By the way, I'll move this thread to the Singers forum, that's where it belongs.

[Jeso]

TORNA SORRENTO

[Almaviva]

Nice. But you might want to correct the title of the YouTube to the right name of the song, which is "Torna a Surriento" (in Neapolitan dialect).