why can't the past just die?

Christine Daaé. 20 years old. Always has her head in the clouds...

[belle-leclair]

Schools and students today makes me happy that I was home schooled. School had just started to kick in during my time period, it was such an odd thing but it was effective and I know teachers had the upper hand. Today it’s mostly the students who have the upper hand and they have such awful attitude problems. Oh but that’s an interesting choice, it’s always pleasant to have something that can remind you of home. I enjoy going to the theatre when I have some money left. Hm, no, I think I tend to listen to anything that matches my mood. There’s too many different genres to choose from, drives me crazy. Is it that horrible to stand in front of a crowd?

[wanderiingchild]

I was also home schooled, however, when I turned 10, the class did become a bit bigger with the other girls from the opera. My education was really basic, though, since my primary focus was to become a singer and a dancer and things such as history and science weren’t deemed as important. It’s a bit of a shame, but it’s too late to go back. That’s true, I think nothing connects me more to home than music. You do have a point, I have discovered so many new genres, some I love, others I can’t stand, but it’s nice to know a little bit of everything. Well, yes and no. Before you get on stage, it will be horrible. After you get on stage, it will also be horrible, but to a lesser extent. But once you’ve started your performance, it’s the most wonderful feeling in the world, and from there on you forget all of your problems and just... Sing.

[belle-leclair]

Oh, a vocal instructor! Teaching is hard, the only thing I have ever teached is manners and it takes so much patient to be able to sit down and understand the people you work with. It’s a challenge, to say the least. Any styles you have become fond of? So you have actually been up on a stage in front of a mass of people? That’s impressive!

[wanderiingchild]

It’s definitely a challenge, but one that I’m excited to take on. I mean, students can drive me crazy some times, they manage to be even more stubborn than I am, but as you’ve said, patience is the key. Other than opera, I’ve come to really enjoy musical theatre, especially classical things, since they require techniques similar to the ones I’m used to. What about you, do you have any styles of music you prefer listening to? Oh, thank you! Honestly, it’s not much. It’s quite terrifying, but it’s also what I love to do, so it’s worth the stage fright.

[oliver-petonson]

I fully understand, my mom isn’t dead but I’ve grown up with some of her hobbies that I decided to stick with simply because it got us closer. It usually only leads to good memories too, sure helps brighten the mood. Somewhat? Did you manage to linger between famous and unknown? At least you didn’t stick with some bullshit career you don’t like, but how do you pass on a career like that here in Quebec if opera is dying? You don’t say, sadly enough we have the money to fund these lazy singers. Though what parts of a song most fascinates you? There’s always some part of music that sticks to people’s interest and makes them enjoy a genre more than the other. Voice, instrumental, style..? As when it comes to indie I think most enjoy the voices and the lyrics, they feel more fresh and out of place. Sadly enough people often connect indie with being hipster or something? I haven’t really understood why liking something not well known is considered to make you better or worse. Society. 

Understudies? Okay, now you’re dragging me into music land and I have never been there before. Are they back-up singers or something? Some voices are very unique and I don’t think they’re that easy to copy right of the bat. Though yes most concerts today is there simply for you to be able to stare at the singer or band for an hour or so while you try not to get knocked over by sweaty people. How enjoyable. Hm, you almost make me wish I watched more theatre, much more of an emotional thrill than movies. When you read lines over and over you often find new ways to deliver them, that doesn’t and can’t happen in movies. You don’t have a chance to really discover your character at all beyond the lines and takes you are given. Are you from this time period or are you from another? I’m quite fascinated by history and it’s always interesting to see how the society viewed and performed art back in time compared to today. Christine? That sounds familiar, I wonder if I have read your story at some point.

[wanderiingchild]

Definitely, and when you spend too much time with someone, it’s impossible not to stick with some of their hobbies or get some of their traits. In a way, yes. It’s not like I was famous worldwide or anything, but my name could sell a ticket or two back home. And I’m not sure if I could consider myself a professional, I’m way too young and I could still learn a few things. If I tried to pursue a career as an opera singer here in Québec, I would probably go bankrupt eventually. There are not too many opportunities and the competition is huge. Which is why I ended up teaching. You’re asking a singer which part of a song fascinates her the most? I enjoy the voices, obviously, and that might be why I dislike music where the singers sound like robots. But I also love instrumental. Classical music, in general, is just filled with passion and emotion. It doesn’t sound the same without those things. So I guess that’s what draws me to a genre, emotion. Honestly, I’ve never understood what makes someone a hipster and why it is considered to be such a bad thing? Society confuses me.

Oh, I’m sorry, it’s a pretty common term in the theatre. Understudies usually replace lead performers when they’re sick, or they can’t go on stage for some reason. So to me, not being able to sing for the night is not an excuse for lip synching, but maybe that’s just when it comes to opera or musical theatre, where most of the excitement comes from singing live. I’ve actually never been to a concert where they play popular music, now that I think about it, but you don’t make them sound too appealing. I think that’s why theatre will never die, in a movie, the way you choose to play a character is definite, it’ll never change, but when you have a number of different performances, you can change your character every night, you can explore them in so many ways, and that’s much more fun. I’m from the late 19th century, so it’s taking a while for me to adapt to, well, everything. But this time period is not at all bad, all of this technology definitely makes things easier. Maybe you have, apparently my story is Broadway’s longest running musical? That’s not weird at all.

[wanderiingchild]

TASK ONE - LIVING CONDITIONS

Christine lives in a small studio apartment placed in centrum. It is located on the third floor, her door number being 3A. She thinks the size is just right, because that way she never feels too alone. Plus, she had never really been a spacious person, meaning she didn’t need nor want much. Pictures:

TASK TWO - THIRTEEN QUESTIONS

Your real name:

I kept my real name, Christine Daaé.

Tell us a little about yourself! Hobbies, favorite music, favorite color, where you’re originally from, your family etc:

Okay, here I go! As I’ve mentioned before, my name is Christine Daaé, and I was born in Sweden, in a town near Uppsala. My mother died upon child birth, so I was raised by my father. Because of that, we were very close, but he died when I was 10, so I was taken to the Opera Populaire, in Paris, by Madame Giry, a family friend. There I acquired some abilities as a dancer, and I would count dancing as a hobby, seeing as I don’t do it professionally anymore. My favorite music is of course, opera, I’m always finding excuses to sing it. As to favorite color? Hm. I’ve never thought about that. Maybe red?

Tell us two good traits about yourself and two bad ones:

This is hard! Well, I am very naive, and people tend to take advantage of me because of that. I can also be quite stubborn, and will rarely change my mind about something. Now, good traits... People often say that I am kind, and I do try to be. I’m also very passionate, which I like to think of as a good thing, but sometimes I will catch myself rambling about subjects that other people might not be so interested in, such as opera, and I guess that can be annoying for them. Still, it counts as a positive trait, right?

What do you fear the most?:

I think that would have to be losing the ones I love. The first time it happened, with my father, really stayed with me, and I never want to feel like that again. 

For how long have you been in Quebec?:

Oh, Gosh, around 6 months? I think that’s it.

Are you happy with your life here? Do you miss your home?:

So far, I am very happy with the life I lead here, I love being a vocal instructor and Québec is quite a charming city, but I do miss home, and I do miss being an opera singer, and I definitely miss all of the people back there. I just hope I can adapt to the change once and for all, and maybe meet some new people? My schedule has been so crazy lately, that I’ve barely had time to actually meet anyone!

Have you actually had the chance to read your own story while you’re here?:

I have read it and watched it, the mini series, the silent movie, the musical, everything. Some things are way off, and even though it flatters me, people portray me as a lot more than I actually am. I do like the musical though, the music is so gorgeous. ‘Think of Me’ is my new shower song.

If you had been able to meet your writer/creator, what would you tell them or ask them?:

I honestly have no idea. I guess I would ask him why he made me choose between Raoul and Erik in such an extreme way, even though I know that there had to be a climax. Still, I’m sure things could’ve happened in a more civilized manner. Or maybe why he had to kill some people off... That’s just... Not a very nice thing to do.

If you were able to rewrite your story/yourself, would you? If yes, how?:

I don’t think so. I tend to overanalyze the past, think of what might have been instead of what actually was, but at the same time, my past makes me who I am. I’m certain that I would not be the woman I am today if some things hadn’t happened to me, even if they weren’t pleasant experiences. And everybody needs flaws, right? They make us human.

If you could wish for one thing, what would it be?: (no, don’t ask for more wishes)

To see my father, at least one more time.

Tell us about a memory you hold dear:

I’ve already shared a few, but I remember Father and I used to play at fairs and we tended to get money, so once, he gave me a great amount of it to spend with whatever I wanted! I’m not a very big spender, mind you, but I was around 7 at the time, and I felt very grown up. Now that I think about it, it was probably a fairly small amount, but I was so young, that I thought I might as well be rich. I obviously spent all of it with my favorite sweets. It was quite a feast! 

Do you have any goals in life? Or dreams? Have you started to achieve them?:

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to be an opera singer, and I have achieved that goal. Not in this world, but well, I’m taking things one step at a time.

Lastly, you are stranded on an island with two people and five things for survival. What things and what people are you stuck with?:

No, do not ask me that question! I am terrible at choosing between people, and if you ask me for five things I will most likely say things that would keep me entertained, instead of being practical and saying things that would help me get out of there. Basically, I don’t ever want to be stranded on an island, I’d be useless.

[oliver-petonson]

The angel of music? Alright, I can buy that, sounds like a sweet gesture. I can understand why you stayed with it though, things like that just… stick with you when you lose someone dear. It hurts to think of them but it brings you closer. Hm, I guess you could say that there’s no such thing as bad art but there’s a thing called “lazy”. I never turn down a catchy tune but often I’d like more than three lines in the lyrics. Half of my music library is just shitty stuff from the late 80′s and 90′s. I admire people who can both sing, write and create the music they play – though some are simply only made for one of those. Indie is just one of those things you can’t copy unless you have the right voice for it, the style is just so different and often contains a deeper way of expressing music. I get so much inspiration for indie it’s crazy, it’s the perfect thing to put on while you’re doing work… just sooths you down and keeps you humming without being too distracting like pop. 

I’d say lip sync is alright in case you have hurt your voice and can’t sing for the night or something but when you do it all the time? Just leave before you hurt sane people’s brains. You can get a lot of emotions out of opera, yeah? Society is so busy rubbing in the fact that you have to be successful for your work to matter and that’s why everyone’s so quick at making it big they keep doing the same formula to get out of that shadow. Then, when someone makes something creative it will either be recognized for what it is, or have everyone kick it to the ground simply because they don’t understand it. But that’s also sort of the nice thing with finding bands or singers that are still not well known, the music ends up feeling closer and more special in a way. It’s the same with so many things like covers, reboots… unless you fully understand the material you’re working with, keep your hands off please and – oh, I don’t think we actually introduced ourselves. I’m Oliver, by the way. 

[wanderiingchild]

Exactly. My father and I were very close, and I just needed to feel some connection to him. And maybe I have been visited by the angel of music, after all, I did become a somewhat professional opera singer... Saying that still sounds a bit weird. Oh, definitely lazy. Some songs just repeat the same thing over and over, but they still get wide recognition just because they’re catchy. I don’t know, it bothers me, but I guess I’m glad these people have made it. Good for them, you know? Oh, I definitely admire people who write their own songs. It must take a lot of hard work, but I’m sure it pays off. I get what you’re saying, people who sing indie do have very unique voices, usually kind of raspy and definitely soothing. It really is not as distracting as other genres can be, so it’s good to listen to it when you have to concentrate.

That’s what understudies are there for! I’m sorry, it’s just what I’m used to. I guess name sells more than music does, these days. I mean, I get people wanting to see a certain artist live, but if the person is injured, there’s not much they can do about it. And understudies tend to be just as good as the lead performers, if not better. The music industry is honestly so confusing nowadays. Yes, that is yet another thing about opera. It is very emotional, it makes you feel something, whether you are a performer or a member of the audience. And the way I play my character on opening night might be completely different from the way I play them on closing night. There’s just a lot of room for growth. I feel like if artists were more focused on staying true to themselves and their music, and not just doing what they think everybody would like to hear, their songs would be a lot better. That’s just the thing, they’re so focused on getting money and getting fame that they often forget why they started making music in the first place, and that is actually quite sad. I do agree with you there, why even bother adapting something if you’re not going to make it the best that it can be? Oh, that’s right, we didn’t! I guess we got a little caught up in our conversation. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Oliver, I’m Christine.

[alice-lunaria-evelina]

“Opera? Are you Italian? Possibly German or French?” Alice asked curiously. “Oh goodness, how rude of me to inquire something so forwardly. I am Alice Lunaria Evelina. And who might you be, dear?”

[wanderiingchild]

“Oh, I don’t mind it at all, actually!” Christine chuckled, amused by the girl’s curiosity. “I’m Christine Daaé, it’s very nice to meet you, Alice. And to answer your question, I’m Swedish, but I did spend most of my life in France.”

[wanderiingchild]

Well hello there, Christine, is there a special memory between you and your father you hold dear?

Oh, hello! That is such a lovely question, there are quite a few actually. One worth mentioning, though, was when he tried to teach me to play the violin. Needless to say, that was a complete disaster! I was always placing my fingers on the wrong notes and I couldn’t even hold it properly. My father and I shared some good laughs, and decided I should just stick with singing. He would also try to do the things he thought a mother would, he bought me dresses, and tried to braid my hair... It was quite sweet, and even though his hairdos weren’t the best, I would wear them all day. But really, any memories that include him playing the violin while I sang are enough to make me smile.

[belle-leclair]

Oh but opera is such an amazing singing style though! I think you should be proud of it and stay it with as much as you can. It’s almost a dying art, it’s very sad. I have seen an opera show before back home, it was just… the vocals had me shivering.

[wanderiingchild]

Oh, no, trust me, I would never stop singing opera! It’s just that I’ve found work as a vocal instructor, and well, I’m trying to learn as many different styles as I can. Not a lot of people want to be opera singers these days. I’m quite lucky, I got to be in a lot of operas back home, I even starred in a few! I have to admit, I miss that, but I do enjoy teaching.

[oliver-petonson]

Ah parents, they have a way of leading you on. It’s impossible not to get stuck with something they like or a trait they have. But as long as you enjoy it then it’s nice. It’s easier to connect with your family that way. Hm, young ones, they don’t know better. Today anything that’s catchy sells. Instrumental is actually really pleasing to listen to, my mom is a fan of instrumental and can analyse tunes like they were movies. She’s part of a group called Within Tempation, I’d suggest a song but I haven’t heard them in ages, I’m more into indie. Art never dies, but the way we perform it or show it changes frequently and not always to the better. And yeah, mostly to keep it cheap. Most concerts today don’t even have live music on the stage, you’re lucky if the singer even sings. Some really put their heart and soul into their art but they’re often cast into the shadows of the big bucks ones. No, seeing someone sing something live is often deeper and more fullfilling than simply hearing a voice in your ears. As long as they put effort into it, that is. I usually avoid book to movie adaptions because of that, movies can rarely catch the spirit of the writer and the heart of the story. 

[wanderiingchild]

Oh, yes, definitely. Music was one of the main things that connected me to my father after he died, he used to tell me that he would send me the ‘Angel of Music’. I held on to that hope for longer than I’d like to admit. Gosh, that’s actually so true. I find myself frequently humming these songs and it’s so annoying. I mean, I like to think that there is no such thing as bad music, but the lyrics can be so empty sometimes, and even though the beat is catchy, it’s also pretty boring. Oh, I do love listening to instrumental as well. I wish I could properly play an instrument, but unfortunately, I only have my voice. Indie! There’s another thing I can’t sing! I always try to make it more complicated than it has to be, and maybe take it an octave above. But it tends to calm me down, so it’s nice to listen to. Honestly, lip syncing is one of my biggest pet peeves. I mean, why would you? I just like to listen to voices that are real, and not robotic. Maybe that’s why I like opera so much. I feel like at the end of the day, what really matters to me is how passionate the person is about music. I have a deep appreciation for people who maybe don’t get a lot of money or fame with music, but stick with it, because it’s what they love. You don’t see that too much nowadays. Oh, I do agree with you about book to movie adaptations. I’m not the most voracious reader, but these adaptations rarely stay true to the books, and even when they do, there will always be something missing. It’s hard to explain, but you just know it when you see it.

[oliver-petonson]

No, there’s a technique for a reason and opera takes very skilled vocal chords. Sadly enough I’m not too knowledgeable on music, it’s one of few subjects that I can’t get into which is almost a shame. But why turn to pop of all things? It’s catchy, but those songs often die out unless they’re there to make you feel nostalgic in some way. Perhaps you should try a style that would challenge your voice more? Pop doesn’t… require much. You should try to copy Sharon den Adel instead, I’m sure she would fit your range more. I’d almost say all forms of real art is dying out today. 

[wanderiingchild]

My father was a violinist, so I got into music at a very young age. To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of pop either, but it’s what my students like to sing, especially the younger ones. It really doesn’t require much, and that’s the problem, I’m used to Mozart, and Puccini, not whatever is playing on the radio. I’m not gonna lie, I have no idea who that is, but I’ll make sure to give her a listen. I feel like people have been saying that these forms of art are dying for a while now, but it just never happens, and I feel like it never will. I mean, sure, there are other forms of entertainment out there that are a lot cheaper, but there’s just something magical about going to the theatre, and seeing someone perform live in front of you. Movies and CDs could never capture that feeling.

[oliver-petonson]

Isn’t that sort of like when you force an author known for writing drama turn to comedy? It can probably be successful in its own way but it needs more planning and more work put behind it. Can’t say I’m much a fan of opera, but it’s an interesting talent and chord to be able to hit. You never know what you can or can’t do unless you try. 

[wanderiingchild]

That’s an interesting analogy, yeah, I guess it’s kind of like that. You just can’t sing both with the same technique, and I’m so used to opera, it sounds weird whenever I try to sing anything else. Ah, well, I can’t blame you, it’s becoming less and less popular each day. Still, I’ve been singing it ever since I was a little girl, and it will always be my favourite type of music. I tried singing pop, that was a major fail, I’ll try to work on it, but don’t expect to hear me singing One Direction any time soon. 

[belle-leclair]

I’m sure there’s a good way to mix those two but it’s usually two different ways of singing, right? Gosh, I only sing to myself, I’m not very informed about these things. 

[wanderiingchild]

I mean, you're kind of right. The techniques required are different, but I've been singing opera for so long that pretty much whatever I try to sing sounds operatic. I feel like I'm the one who should be getting vocal lessons to work on that problem.

[wanderiingchild]

Today I found out that I am strictly an opera singer and I should never try pop unless I want to embarrass myself completely. It was a very enlightening experience that I would not like to repeat.

[emmy-rossum]

[manymusicals]

Visit Original Link

[wanderiingchild]

Think of Me - The Phantom of the Opera

[emmy-rossum]