I just heard this wonderful snippet on BBC Radio 4 about the death of character tenor Charles Anthony. He said that “abject terror” kept him focussed, and that “A singer onstage in the moments before he opens his mouth is the loneliest person in the world. You never know what’s going to come out.”
Have had many such experiences, I can only sigh and second his sentiments.
RIP Charles. The Metropolitan is going to miss you greatly.
The rest of the BBC’s story is here.
Actually, I think corpsing on stage is when you fall about laughing and can’t stop. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, I know but there you have it.
I believe actors experience the same kind of terror,when they walk on stage.
think its called”corpse-ing”i.e. dying on stage!(figuratively!)
Sally
Uh-huh, but when you’re on the stage of the Met or Covent Garden and you’re hearing your cue to start warbling, it’s the most uncanny of sensations. 😉
Well, I can honestly say that I don’t have that problem – I know only too well that I’m not going to get a decent note out, so I don’t let it worry me!!!!!! There’s a certain safety in being crap…