The impossible dream is from the musical 'The Man if la Mancha'. The musical is based loosely on the play 'Don Quixote' who is a character within a play within a play. The story revolves around Cervantes, who is imprisoned by the Spanish inquisition. Within the prison, a Mock trial is performed, which Cervantes is trialled by the prisoners. The trial escalates into a full story, where Cervantes becomes the character 'Don Quixote'. The story follows Don Quixote's quest, which include a battle with an 'undefeatable Windmill'. The 'Impossible Dream' is a song that defines the characters mission.
The song was recommended to me by Sonia. I quickly took an interest in the song and watched the film for background. The song is a powerful and emotive. There are also many different versions of the song other than the film, such as those performed on stage and also version by singers such as Andy Williams. I was most struck by the film version which I felt was the most emotive and sung from the heart. I also liked the other versions and added some of the elements of them into the performance. The theatre production is most powerfully performed with the version by Andy Williams for example, being smoother. Throughout the term I came to find that the song was representative of myself, my position, my life, my trials, my mission. Every verse of the song could be applied to myself and therefore the song has become relevant to me and something which I will carry into the future
Variations
Film (Peter O'Toole)
Stage (Brian Stokes)
Andy Williams
Backing Track (La Mancha film version)
Lyrics
Song Progress
I was able to practice performing in the theatre. It was different experience as I had never sung like this in the space. I felt that my voice is able to fill the theatre space and I appreciated the sound within this space. I feel that rehearsing in the theatre helped me feel more at home in the space and I enjoyed the experience. I was able to work on tuning my voice to the space and working with the backing track.
Overtime, I have developed the song where I am performing in a higher key. I also softened the verses and gradually work towards the belt before backing off. I found that my voice has changed during the term and now much more comfortable performing in a higher range. I have also discovered my rock/pop voice and this is something I wish to focus more on.
Showcase Performance
From the initial version to now, I have progressed and changed the most. When I started, i was using mostly the chest space. Sonia suggested i go higher and it worked better for this song.
On the day I was nervous as I had not sung solo for a live audience before. It had been useful to practice in the theatre and around the other students. I had some also experience from various other activities such as choir and from Pantomime rehearsals, but its different the performance is live and you are performing solo. There is more pressure to get it right. The most important part of the song for me was to ensure I started on the right note at the right time. I was able to hit the mark and perform in time with the music. I do not think it was the greatest performance of all time, I feel I can still improve with this song and the nerves did effect my singing. However, I think only the harshest critic would pick apart this performance. I have to remember I am still a student and I have time to work on this song and make it my own.
The song has become my template song, where I can go back to it if I am struggling elsewhere and use it to rediscover my voice. I now feel more confident singing and have become a lot more relaxed. It was important to apply myself to a song and sing as if it is fun, rather than being too focused and technical. I now feel I can go on and build a portfolio of songs and to more public performances, such as developing a solo act for clubs/pubs.
I am proud of what I have achieved by being able to perform solo. Even if I fail this term, I have already surpassed my initial expectations of when I started on the course. I will continue to work on self improvement and various performance based extra curricular activities I am involved with, such as singing. Ultimately, I want to perfect this song and perhaps even change the style.
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