It was interesting to find a different place to sing in.  It was a contrast to rehearsing outside and the acoustic was tricky.  We used some sound enhancement and found having the musicians to one side a tricky problem with keeping together.

It was fun listening to the other acts – modern musicals and songs from the more classic musicals.  However the opera did seem to be the most popular and certainly fits the five star nature of the hotel.

We are now getting ready for our four performances in the courtyard in July which is very exciting.  Hope you can come along.

“It’s just getting out there and getting heard – if you don’t do it, then nobody knows you’re there…” The Romantic Tenor Neil Simon

Neil Simon’s journey took a seemingly dramatic change recently. Just four months ago, his well-paid work as a chartered surveyor “going to boring meetings” completely dried up and faced with a no work situation, he went on to launch himself in business as ‘The Romantic Tenor’, “being able to see someone’s face light up when you sing to them – it’s priceless”.

Of course, Neil didn’t just wake up one day and decide to sing for a living – an accomplished classical guitarist and with a wife who sings soprano, he’s had a love affair with music throughout his life, albeit part-time. And although his work in local government and as a singer don’t at first seem connected in any way, Neil maintains there are many links and shared skills between the two roles;

“Council meetings – it is a bit like being in a theatre – you have to know what to say and when to say it and how to say it.. I’ve been heckled, I’ve had difficult moments with people .. but you just learn to deal with it and it gives you a lot of confidence actually!”

Here, Neil talks to Michelle about his fascinating lifelong journey as a “lucky sort of person”, someone who has embraced challenges and pushed their own limits. He also describes:

Redundancy and the opportunities it can bring for people
The power of singing techniques when used in other areas of business
What it takes to cultivate “a world class voice”
Education and the benefits of music, choirs and singing
How diet and exercise can affect your voice
Attitude, fear and “living that story”

and, of course, Neil also sings for us – catch his “Nessun Dorma” – Calaf’s Aria from Puccini’s Turandot to hear for yourself The Romantic Tenor in action…

Neil’s favourite locations are: Oxwich Bay in the Gower Peninsula in Wales and the ancient woodland in Hatfield House Park, Hertfordshire.

You can find my interview at
http://roomontheedge.com/2011/04/neil-simon-the-romantic-tenor-podcast/

. Nessun Dorma went down well as usual.