Teachingsprezzatura Wstage or into his Linfield operatic repertoire that he edited in of his anthologies well known among for very was“HeRussian singers stepping onto he’s world-class operahethera College classroom, Anton Belov the 1960s,” Belov explained. “He told radiates sprezzatura. me, ‘You have a good voice, come here The Italian word, meaning to five times a week; you don’t have to pay make something difficult look easy, is a me. Come. Sing. See what happens.’” quality Belov hopes to teach his music What happened was life-changing. students – and something he strives Belov won eight international for in his own performances. vocal competitions, including the “A great singer looks completely Metropolitan Opera’s sponsored at peace while performing something auditions, and went on to study at extraordinarily difficult,” said Belov, New England Conservatory, Juilliard assistant professor of music and an and Boston University. accomplished baritone. “If we can More than just musically inclined, teach our students sprezzatura, we’ve Belov is an avid fisherman and a skilled done our job.” woodworker. At 19, he trained as an Belov balances teaching Linfield apprentice at Charles Shackleton students with a successful career -- he Furniture, an artisan furniture has appeared with orchestras and opera woodshop in Vermont. He now has The Belov file: been praised by The New York Times of the furniture in his home. His woodshop, and has built most ownhis critical acclaim, and has tocompanies B.M., The New England Conservatory for stealing the show with his “rich, favorite piece is a mahogany sleigh bed M.M., The Juilliard School mellifluous voice” and “soulful pathos.” with carved details. He has also built D.M.A., Boston University He also helps direct a prestigious furniture for Great Harvest Bread international voice camp in Maine, and Co. in McMinnville. “They pay me in At Linfield since 2011 leads Linfield’s Opera Workshop. sandwiches,” he grins. Translation work: Born in Russia, Belov is the only He lives in Sherwood with his wife, www.RussianArtSong.com child of a poet father who set the stage Naomi, and two children, whom they www.antonbelov.com for Belov’s opera career by infusing him homeschool. “Naomi is the principal of with a love of literature, and a mother Belov Academy,” he says with flourish. Anton on: whose translation work gave him an ease Linfield was just exactly what Nerves – “If you don’t get nervous with language. Thanks to their influence, Belov was looking for when he arrived before a performance, there’s Belov now sings in five languages and in 2011. He was drawn to the liberal something wrong. Nerves are a great believes that music begins with poetry. arts environment and the opportunity part of the performance. You have to In 1991, Belov’s family left a to teach a variety of classes such as use that energy to your advantage.” troubled Russia and immigrated to the Understanding Music, one of his U.S. in search of medical treatment for favorites designed for non-majors. “I love Performance prep – “It’s like preparing his father, who died shortly after. love love teaching it,” Belov emphasized. for a sporting event. Keep it low, get a “It was very difficult at first, very, As a successful professional, Belov good night’s sleep and watch your diet, very hard,” said Belov, who was 16 at the brings to his students the practical particularly the night before. Acidic time and spoke no English. “But luckily experience of being on stage. Delaney foods affect the voice.” we had really terrific friends, and one of Bullinger ’15, a music and English them was my future wife, Naomi.” major, said she looks to Belov with Practice – “I’m just as lazy as the next A chance meeting with Semion questions about a professional career. guy. I have to force myself to practice.” Tregubov, a retired Russian music She also appreciates his positive teacher, shaped his future. The teacher teaching style, coupled with a sense had studied at Moscow Conservatory of humor. One of his favorite sayings, and taught at Moscow School of Theatre. “Sound like a human being, not a little 1 4 - l i n f i e l d m a g a z i n e Winter 2013
Linfield Winter 2013
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