Opera: The Devils and Reardon

(3 of 3)

"I live with my pitchpipe," Reardon admits. "It's the only way to get those intervals into your head and your voice. I get to the point where I can see a page in my mind through the whole performance. If the orchestra or another singer goes off pitch and I try to sing a note, nine times out of ten the muscles automatically go to the right place." Having well-disciplined vocal muscles may be useful for technique and performance. But high standards have more or less ruined live music for Reardon as a listener. "I don't go to the opera or concerts much," he says "because I'm usually revolted by what goes on on the stage. Actually, I sort of dislike opera."