I am to accompany a singer next Friday (6th July). I have all the music I need, but I was informed of the singers' song for the finale this morning (Puccinis' O Mio Babbino Caro).

The only snag is....the music has not scanned very well, so the person who is liaising with me on behalf of the singer says it's not worth him getting the music to me. However, he told me the score is in 'four flats and is two pages long'. I've managed to find a copy on a music site I use and have printed it off. I rang him back to tell him and he said it sounded exactly the same as the copy she sent, but the singer likes the intro...my copy doesn't have an intro!

He said it starts from 'top E flat going down to bottom E flat, with a D flat in the bass. It goes on for four bars before the song starts. Is this any help to you?' He said she is using the 1918 Universal Music edition.

Do any of the lovely singers on this forum have a copy of this song please, in four flats etc etc? Please PM me if you do and I'll give you my e-mail address.

Thank you.

Sorry I can't help you with the music but can I just say: HOW RUDE!! Surely if you are accompanying the singer then it is ENTIRELY their responsibility to ensure that you have a readable copy of the appropriate music. I am shocked that the liaiser doesn't think it is "worth" sending the music, they can obviously read it well enough to tell you what the notes are, just ask them to send it on anyway.

This is not acceptable behaviour, put your foot down!

Have to agree here. It's not going to help anyone if something goes wrong on the day because you weren't given adequate time to practise.

I'm sure my daughter has it somewhere but I cant seem to lay my hands on it! Sorry Hope someone else can help you out!

Presumably you will have the REAL music for the exam. Copyright and all that.

What if you want you want to make some pencil markings, fingering etc.? You'd need to do it in the real copy. Anyway, are you not rehearsing with this candidate....

Hope they are paying you enough.

I would say no music - no playing. How flipping rude!

People moan about how hard it is to find a good accompanist and then when they do they treat them like rubbish (well in this case anyway).

If it's at all lightly that you will be working with this singer in the future, then I do think it's important that you set the boundaries of acceptable behaviour now. You don't want to be thought of as someone that can be walked all over.

Sorry - I'm not really helping here, but I'm just stunned at the thoughtlessness. I hope you get it all sorted and that Mr (not very good at) liaison pulls his finger out and gets you the music pronto!

Yes, I agree. Very rude. No (decent) music, no playing.

And to be honest, Primrose, it should really not be up to you to chase round finding a copy !

uploaded and PM'd you the link of the score you requested. It is original and has 4 flats, but not sure whether it matches other criteria.

Hope this helps

Thank you everyone I've just read my last few posts, and I sound like a real pushover don't I?? What with no Ts and Cs and students messing me about with lessons , and now having to chase around after a singer!!


Just to put you in the picture..

I have an ad. in a local magazine, and was rung by the liaison man (who happens to be a vicar) about six weeks ago asking if I would be prepared to accompany a singer on 6th July. I said I was available, but must have all the music so that I could get practising on it as soon as possible. Not only do they want me to accompany three songs with the singer (a pro. with the ENO apparently) but also two songs with their singing group.

Three weeks later, when I had assumed they no longer wanted me, the vicar rings up and says he now has the music from the singer! I told him time was getting on and I thought they'd found someone else. He said the singer was undecided as to what she wanted, which accounted for the hold-up. He duly bought the music round, and luckily it's been achievable with lots of practice. There was still the issue of the last piece from the singer though for her finale. Last Wednesday I rang and said she would have to sing the last song (which we now know is O Mio...) unaccompanied if the music was not with me in due course.

Hence the 'phone call today...

As for rehearsals...I'm to arrive forty minutes before the concert starts to rehearse with the singing group and then the singer...My request for more rehearsal time was met with.. "it's all very informal, so you're not to worry about it."

However, this is (possibly) a chance for me to get some new students, as well as accompanying practice. I want to do my best even if they don't! Agree with Czerny too...I don't want to look a prize eejit just because I don't have matching music to hers!

I don't somehow think I'll be working with this crowd again....




Thank you very much Sunil. However, I can't open the link

Annoying as this experience has been, I wouldn't write them off straight away if they could provide some interesting and useful opportunities in the future. At least see how the concert goes, but perhaps be even clearer about your (perfectly reasonable) requirement to have the music in plenty of time next time if you do decide to give them another chance.

Indeed...despite my misgivings and the hassle involved, I'm looking forward to it really. And yes, if they ask me again, I'm going to be very strict when it comes to getting the music in time. I do sight read for students in lessons and for my own learning of course, but I'm not going to hack my way through a piece in front of (I assume) a fee paying public however casual the evening turns out to be.

[quote name='primrose.piano' date='Jun 25 2012, 03:52 PM' post='1156066']
I am to accompany a singer next Friday (6th July). I have all the music I need, but I was informed of the singers' song for the finale this morning (Puccinis' O Mio Babino Caro).

The only snag is....the music has not scanned very well, so the person who is liaising with me on behalf of the singer says it's not worth him getting the music to me. However, he told me the score is in 'four flats and is two pages long'. I've managed to find a copy on a music site I use and have printed it off. I rang him back to tell him and he said it sounded exactly the same as the copy she sent, but the singer likes the intro...my copy doesn't have an intro!

He said it starts from 'top E flat going down to bottom E flat, with a D flat in the bass. It goes on for four bars before the song starts. Is this any help to you?' He said she is using the 1918 Universal Music edition.

Do any of the lovely singers on this forum have a copy of this song please, in four flats etc etc? Please PM me if you do and I'll give you my e-mail address.

Thank you.

Wait one Primrose - I'm going in the loft! I have a copy, but I don't know what edition.

Sunil....thank you very much! You are my life saver!

xx

I have it, and already scanned for a previous accompanist's use.

If you still need it, please let me know.

Strooth Norway! Be careful....




Thank you, katyjay. I have a copy from Sunil.

Glad you are sorted - (my Ricordi edition is in A-flat major, and with a 4 bar intro but it uses different notes). I have a fine collection of spiders up there!

Bless you...thanks for looking. xx

While I understand your hope for more pupils from the event, I think this experience points to a few T&Cs aimed at accompaniments/rehearsals/notice for practising of said music.