Werther

Doesn't the title make you want that warm caramel goodness in your mouth? Too bad I only have Ricola's here in case I get sick.

Aaaanyway. Werther tonight was sung with the fabulous Sophie Koch as Charlotte, and supposed to be Adriana Kucerova, but she got sick and walked the part while another "house" Soprano sang from the pit (as Sophie), and the talented and warm-voiced Piotr Beczala in the title role.

So. It started off with me being more interested in the cute little kids singing "noel noel noel" because seeing them run around and then freeze (as the staging had freezing when Werther was contemplating life and death and other poetic subjects), was more interesting than the set, which was a rotating (Munich is apparently one of the first, if not the first theater to use the a-la-les mis rotating stage), and painted and scribbled with "artistic" graffiti in French all over.

I tried to get a picture, really I did. But all 5 came out blurry. Damn you no flash!!! My hands weren't steady at the curtain call I suppose.

Ok, so. The singing was very good. I liked Sophie Koch a lot. She cut very well and had a warm tone but also mixed with steel, which was very effective dramatically during Va and the "you gotta leave me right now before my husband comes back" duet.

Werther- Piotr- amazing. Lovely French control in terms of pulling back on those high notes and singing them in that half falsetto half pianissimo voice. His aria got a good 2 minute cheering section, and it was really really really dramatic and he took it just to the exact right place- not melodramatic or histrionic even though the text and drama borders on that and sometimes requires it. It was...well, as my post below describes- honest. And he still got that awesome ovation.

I was disappointed not to hear Kucerova, and her replacement from the pit didn't do much to impress. The announcement involved something about the fact that she had sung it in German 5 years ago and was now doing it in French..so I'm sure that the pressure was on, she was on book and in the pit...not the funnest place to be. It was sweet and pretty but she couldn't really do all that she could do were she onstage I think.

Other observations: The death scene was amazing. All the old ladies were crying and after the doors opened there was many a smeared mascara face coming out into the bright lights of the hallways.
The rotating stage around Werther really worked. There was the whole time his writing desk on an "Atlas-like" ROCK in the center...and sometimes he was there ignoring the action on stage but doing his thing..and it was ok and I liked it.
Little kids choruses are more in tune and in tempo that the real chorus! HA ha! Luisa Miller's raced all over the place. The kids were pretty darn good.

General tips for Opera Festival goers in the future:
BOOK YOUR TICKETS THE DAY THEY ARE ANNOUNCED ON THE INTERNET.

I mean, I've gotten awesome tickets each time I go, (standing room student price is 5 Euros, and if the show is sold out, people stand out in front of the theater and sell their tickets for close to the price they paid for it) but each time it's a gamble, because there are never any cheaper (meaning, not 340 Euro) seats left since they were all snatched up at the beginning, and then people just stand outside and sell them if they can't go- OR if they bought 4 for fun and go themselves but sell the other three.

We shelled out 20 Euros each for a nice seat in the 3rd Ring Center for Luisa Miller and that was really worth it. We have center seats for Orlando as well. We will probably get standing room tix for Nozze tomorrow night, and the shows left next week are Rigoletto (that weird Planet of the Apes/Set on the moon one), and Il Turco in Italia--hopefully we'll get into all of them for around 10-20 Euros.

But really, this would have been much easier and less of a hassle having to get to the theater an hour early and ask around for tickets at the door or in line for last minute student tix, if I had booked early. Of course, I didn't know which shows I wanted to see, or when--so I couldn't have done that.
But IF I decide that I need to come back here for a month again next summer I'm booking all the operas as soon as the sales open online in February.

honesty...such a lonely word

A discussion about vocal/dramatic honesty versus that thing that you see sometimes that you can't really put your finger on but it SEEMS like the singer onstage is acting/singing with an ear/eye to the audience reception..and sometimes that means that the "diva" is still in there a bit, and many times it means that the audience goes crazy over the performance--even if it was not acted/sung as honestly to the character as it could have been:

Last night the soprano outsang everyone. She was riveting to watch because she was always just Luisa. Not a lyric soprano singign Luisa. Not a soprano who will sing in XYZ theater next year and who made her debut with ABC theater in whatever year.

The audience warmed to her and gave her brava's at the END of the show, but it was the men, (not Vargas, that was just too much star quality to have in this comparison) who acted with a bit of a 'divo' attitude and with that "I want you to love me because I love you and my voice is awesome and you know it and I know it"-- who got the long bravo's after arias and duets during the performance.

So what does that mean? We are taught to be as honest as possible. We get kudos from straight theater directors who cross over to opera when we do what straight actors do- which is immerse, become, transform--without any trace of US, or where we came from, or where we are going. Just that character, where THEY came from, and where THEY are going.
But why is it that others buy the "diva"--it's not even diva, I don't want to use that word negatively... but why is it that there are others (music directors, audition/competition panels) who are won over not necessarily by a dramatically and vocally honest performance, but with that added element of "self-love of voice and character".

The NFCS forum has discussed this, but only in a sense that a singer has to bring the mojo into the audition room, or that "FU" attitude, and not be apologetic for being a good singer and having the "opportunity" to audition. But what I'm talking about is different. It's just this feeeeling that I get as a singer in the audience, or onstage with a colleague, watching other singers "get away" with replacing an honest performance with an amalgam of acting chops and even a fine voice, but combined with that "look"...that look---that whether in audition or onstage makes me cringe a bit because it's a bit masturbatory, yes, I typed out that word in the blog.

And "people" buy it. More than buy it---LOVE it. Hire it. Promote it. I'm not saying we can't be divas at all or bring that into any type of character on stage. The more diva the better if that floats your boat--in real life or onstage I guess...

I just think that when it comes down to performance and audition and competition, it is a bit maddening to see that. Of course an organic performance is what we all strive for, but is it a talent to add that "element" in and know that you'll win the audience/audition/review--whatever it is you want to "win"? Or is it a substitution for a truly honest performance?
Or some combination of the two?

Luisa Miller

Went to see a VERY interesting production of Luisa Miller tonight...with Rrrramon Vargas...and if I knew how to put the accent aigue over the O in Ramon, I would!

The concept/direction was SO cool. How can I describe it? A revolving set a la Les Mis, but split into quarters, and dopplegangers (yes, I used that word not only for the Lied poem and song) who mimicked every move that the singers did, dressed just like them and in fours so it looked like a kaleidoscope.

I can't do the staging description justice so I'll just stop there and say that if the production comes your way don't miss it. It was all intense and stuff.

Here is a pic of the set and the final bows--you can see the Dopplegangers in the back and the cast and conductor in the front:



Now onto the voices.
Krassimira Stoyanova- beautiful phrasing, amazing pianissimi, cut warmly over the orchestra, the best voice of the night- really. She had so much feeling in every note that came out of her voice and knew how and when to use any musical nuance that she made a decision about. It was gorgeous.

Rrrrramon- sounded awesome. I heard him in R+J last year--or was it 2 years ago now--with Dessay, and while it's impressive (the best male voice onstage tonight) and cuts very well, it's not THAT big. It fills the hall but not in that booming rumbling cavernous sound that some singers have. I still really liked it in the role, and the acting was much like his Romeo- young and foolish and a bit uppity--but then again, both stories are pretty much Romeo and Juliet- except one is in Italian and they both poison themselves at the end- no dagger and re-awakening scene.

Elena Maximova made a hottt Frederica- all dressed like the 1940s/early 50s with a long trench and a sexy black number (the show was definitely updated, but the sets looked 1970s and the clothes looked late 40s- weird). Nice voice. The a capella quartet sounded pretty amazing with the two women, and also their brief duet in Act II.

And the men. I mean, I'm not going to say "eh", but overall I was not impressed with either father. And here comes my mini-rant about men's voices and the business. Is it just that there are less of you? Can you REALLY get away with not being on pitch for almost every final cadenza that you sing? Umm, that thing that happens at the end of every note you sing that makes you sound KIND of like a goat...that's ...well... a bit endearing for THIS role, but I'm not sure the best approach to vocal technique.
Look, I know these peeps are already famous and stuff, but if you're singing at this opera festival can you please be the bestest ever? I don't want to be scared every time you go up for a high note, or when you hold things out and your voice starts to wobble and, oh yea, also you don't move well onstage and you could st
and to lose a few pounds. This would just NOT fly for women of any fach.


I am finished now. Overall, it was the first time I heard a majority of the music, and saw the opera live and I was extremely impressed by the staging, sets, most of the voices, and once again the insane audience here that yells bravi after every aria or big pretty ensemble, and makes the cast come back for at least 5 bows. Seriously. They stay standing for a good 25 minutes after the curtain comes in.

Yes please!

it is le hot

It was about 93 degrees today. And what was I doing? Wandering around Karlsplatz and Marienplatz looking for cute boots to go with my skirts. Yes, by the way, that is the "new" European thing here...and I've seen it a bit in the US, but it's crazy here. Cute cowgirlish type boots and sundresses, skirts, whatever. Not the sleek American ones that were in all winter or the flat suede ones under skinny jeans. I'm talking real western style boots. It's a really cute look. And I found some, but they are MAYBE half a size too small. It was the last size they had (7) and they DID fit, but I wonder if the 7.5s would be more comfy or have more room for socks in the winter...so I didn't buy them--also partially because they cost 199 Euros!

It's only Monday but I'm excited for an upcoming purely vacational weekend in PARIS and BURGUNDY this weekend. With my oh-so-special someone!!! YAAAAYYYY! We haven't seen each other in too long. Not cool.

So I'm planning out my cute outfits and shoes fit for city-walking (don't know what those will be yet since my trusty ballet flats are getting really worn out here), and looking forward to a good time had by all :)

more from tonight

a. for some reason my computer is really slowing down- enough that while I'm typing this sentence, it's about 10 to 12 words behind where I actually am. Hmm....could that be because 1. I uploaded too many pictures and my memory is low? 2. I have too many applications running, 3. I am charging it at weird hours from an adaptor --even though it does get to 100%? or 4. It needs to be turned off and given a little breakie?

b. while on the tram on the way back from Rosenkavalier I was discussing among other things, a Fulbright, and if I applied for one, how it would be to stay in the US, and have someone kick my ass. So yes, an asskicking fulbright. So that I can be really thin and toned and buff (asskicker number one is a personal trainer), know a lot of music (asskicker number two is a coach to work with every day for one hour on repertoire that I will eventually sing..in life), keep up my languages and not lose them after this month of intensity (asskicker number three is someone to speak to me, or three people, in French German and Italian....either the days will rotate, or they can come have a meal with me--three per day-and we can just discuss daily things--- it works out great)..there was a longer list of my application requirements all filled with some sort of reference to asskicking.

But seriously, if I were thinking of applying, and I'm not sure which country I'd want to go to, I would definitely involve some budget for the physical appearance. Because as much as people don't want to say it or admit it "for real", lookism happens, and hearing voices that are "just pretty" or "pretty, really good, but not amazing" or "really great but nothing that unique" yet seeing a tall thin picture of perfection on stage leads me to wonder...how MUCH really..and I mean really..does that have to do with this?

Even if a voice is really really REALLY good, were they picked for their voice PLUS looks, were the looks a requirement, was there a voice that was BETTER but didn't have the right looks? I just wonder.

And there is even more, but it's 1:48 and I have to wake up at 7:20 to get to class on time.

Best....trio.....evveeerrrr.......ahhhhhhh......

Just got back from Der Rosenkavalier. Ahhhhhh. In a great great non-stressed-out-coloratura-way!
It is just so good.

The final trio and duet get me every time. I get teary right before "Marie Theres..." and then it's pretty much sheer joy on my face until the final notes of the opera.
It's not necessarily because of one thing. The music , or the drama, or something that just moved me. It's so many things combined into one.
First, that I learned this trio very very VERY early in my singing "career" ha--ie, I was 18 years old, and this to me was just the most sublime singing that could be done. The floating, the way the lines intertwine, the text, the setting, the quiet and still that is this beautiful piece of music. Not to mention the final duet after it. Of course, I am biased, because I did write my thesis on this piece, as well as Ariadne and two Mozart pieces as well, so I would say that in some way or another I know it inside and out (including music theory!) and just have a different feeling about it. I've never seen it performed before and this was just---wow.
The sets were gorgeous, the costumes as well, and the singing was very very beautiful from everyone.

I'm learning the Presentation for an upcoming audition, and hearing it live in the theater today and seeing it and how it affected everyone onstage and watching was really special.

There is much more to post about this weekend, the extremely insanely hot weather (remember when it was 40 degrees last week and I had to buy sweaters? Now it's 90), and more, but for now, a bit of Deutch homework and then maybe another post in an hour or so.

There is a castle on a cloooouuuudddd

Castles here pretty much rock.
Today I visited THREE of them--all in a one and a half mile radius.

All of the guidebooks say that they "rival Versailles"..well, they say that pretty much about any castle that's not Versailles, but this garden was pretty awesome, as were all of the original pieces of furniture, wall tapestries, fresco ceilings, and other awesome things that I wasn't supposed to take pictures of inside but did.

There was a guard following me into every room but I was pretty sneaky and was able to lose my "tail"!


Here is a 'partial' view of the whole thing...one of the castles:



What's in store for the weekend? Since the weather has decided to cooperate, there will be a visit to a beach/lake or other body of water, probably more castles and medieval structures, the famous Hofbrau Haus for some lederhosen-watching, the Englischer Gartens for the same, except outside, and a very very very hopeful try at getting last minute tickets outside the opera to see Rosenkavalier on Sunday. The show is sold out apparently.

How did my German test today go? Well, I'll have to wait until next week to really find out, but other than blanking out on a few indefinite pronouns because I didn't know what the nominative case was originally that modified the noun, I think it was ok!

pirate's boooooty (s) = hottt

I went to see my first live ballet tonight. Le Corsaire.
It's about PIRATES! And BOOTY! har har har....
And it was so amazing. I'm mean, I've seen clips of Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliette and Swan Lake before (ok, I've only seen swan lake clips from the movie Center Stage but STILL!), seeing it live (from the top gallery for 5 Euros) was still something spectacular.

I wish the I had binoculars to be able to see the dancers' faces (and their crazy makeup and tiaras and tutus), because their bodies from so far back were so expressive that I know it would make a huge difference to see the whole thing.

Curtain Call pic with the prima ballerina taking her bow:



It was really really cool.

The audience went crazy over the 2-3 minute solos that each dancer had. I mean crazy. They got 4 ovations at the end of the show, and after each main character had his or her dance they were bravo-ing all over the place.

I guess it's really hard to jump in the air five times in a row in a perfect circle around the stage.
They made the main "corsaire" dude, aka pirate, look like Johnny Depp from the Pirates of the Caribbean.
The evil dude (dressed in black and red), whom I shall from now on call Benvolio (the evil dude in Midsummer--kinda), always danced these evil cool dances with a girlfriend dressed like Carmen with a red scarf.

The primas wore tutus the whole time but the rest of the women were harem girls or slave girls so they were dressed in veils and little else! Some baggy pants and small tops a la Jasmine from Aladdin...you know...

It was a great experience.

In life/job/profession news, an upcoming audition. Not more to say about that except that it's going to be SO much fun since it involves the show I just sang which is my mostest favoritest moglichkeitEST (yea, I'm trying to study German but instead blogging) opera!

For a mpls sop: things I have learned about Europe so far

1. Pack less than you need, but pack for all seasons. It's summer here. What was the weather today and this whole past week? Low 60s and raining with a lot of wind, so it felt like mid-50s.
Bring some sort of hoodie or jacket, a rain poncho and a tiny umbrella--and of course scarves--singers always wear scarves!

Even though my closet has 4 summer dresses in it, numerous cute tops and skirts, a long sleeved shirt or two, and 2 pairs of capris, one pair of black pants and 3 pears of jeans I have so far over the past week worn:
1 skirt with leggings underneath and my hoodie, the same pair of jeans every other day with a long sleeved shirt and a light rain trench over it--so who cares what shirt I was wearing anyway--and a pair of black slacks with a nicer shirt for the first day of class.

So I could have done without the 4 other pairs of pants I brought, and two pairs of jeans (skinny and flare!) and many of the cute shirts I brought that I'm currently hiding under heavier outerwear.

Bring something for performances-- I have a cute black dress that doesn't wrinkle that I can go "bohemian" with if I add leggings and a scarf since it's so cold. Plus the scarf can work as a wrap instead of a raincoat.

Oh, and shoes? Black ballet flats that I can either dress down w/jeans or a skirt, or still get by wearing a black dress with for standing room at the Opera. I have a pair of heels for auditions, and I brought sneakers (which I try not to wear unless hiking up to some castle in the mountains). Just what you need. You don't need a brown pair and a black pair, and if you do-- bring less clothes!

2. Pack less MUSIC than you think you'll learn. OR make photocopies instead of bringing full scores.
I have 2 scores that I need to learn here, and two 1.5 inch binders of arias and other music I'm working on. I don't need anything else, and if I did, I could probably get a friend to fax it or pdf it to me--so no need to lug heavy books around because you "should" or "could" be learning such and such a role for some point in life.

3. Buy train tickets NOW if you know when you want to travel (or look into the Eurail pass). I didn't have my act together and wasn't sure which weekend I wanted to go to Berlin. Well, now I want to go this weekend and round trip tix are 210 euros! So---I don't think I"m going to go. It was just for a visit- not an audition- but still, I wanted to travel there. And if I had booked the ticket early and online (you have to print it out on A4 paper...but the train conductors don't care that much if it's not), then I could have gotten a "specialpreis" and gone for about 30-50 Euros each way. BOOO.

4. Adapters and computers. There are internet cafes in every big city ranging from 2Euros-4 Euros an hour. I brought my laptop anyway because I have an apt. with internet connection.
In terms of adapters, I bought a little extension adapter (just one), and there are normally only 1 or 2 outlets free in most rooms anyway, so I alternate between plugging my computer in, plugging my phone in (that's German anyway, so it has the correct plug), plugging my ipod into my computer to charge it, and I have a dual hairdryer that is pretty sweet, except I blew out the fuse in it by turning it on HIGH on day one!!! So. No high powered things, and I got by with just that 5 dollar radio shack or target adapter. No need for a whole power strip to convert into the electricity here I think.

5. Tip/(VAT) is included most everywhere I've been in Germany. Also in Vienna. You have to look at the bottom of the bill, and it will also say at the bottom of page 1 of the menu if it's included or not. Don't be the dumb American that leaves 20 percent on top of that.

6. Stores/Restaurants like to have exact change. If something costs 19.80 Euros they'll always ask you if you have .80 cents if you give them a larger bill and not the exact 19.
It's annoying, but a good way to get rid of change! They look at you like you're crazy if you try to break a large bill like 50 Euros on something that cost 10...so when you exchange money see if they'll give you small bills.

6a.- don't think about the exchange rate. It's horrible, and just try to imagine everything in dollars, because you'll come out poorer either way. If you are trying to dissuade yourself from buying something then think of it as : a meal that costs 30 Euros (2 people, central Munich dinner last night) was really 30 plus half of 30 (15)--so it costs 45 dollars. That is a LOT. Maybe I won't eat out ...ever...again!

7. If your German is good enough to ask for directions in German, you'd better hope it's also good enough to understand a GERMAN's German when they answer you in German!!! Otherwise, ask, (in German), if they speak English. Or continue on in the direction of the hand pointing and ask again somewhere closer to your final destination.

8. HandM is evil and everywhere. Stop buying cute sweaters, blouses and dresses there...wait, that tip was for me.

9. Give yourself time to wander around alone, and don't feel pressured to be the tourist all the time. I've been here for a week now and just walking around every afternoon after class for a few hours, I have a "place" for tea, a corner I like to people watch, a "local" Indian place that I go to...get lost and explore outside of the touristy sections. It's cheaper!

10. Bring a student ID if you still have one to get into almost everything for half price or a Euro or two less.

11. Wasser OHNE gas! (Unless you like that bubbly crap).

That's all I can think of for now.
Happy trails to you!!!

Jesus, Mary, and the Saints

I visited the Alte Pinakotek today which means that I saw a lot of art work from the 13th-17th centuries, which also means that I saw a lot of art work influenced by Christian themes from the old and new testament...scratch that- ALL of the artwork I saw had those themes in one way or another, even if it was a portrait of a lady seated in a plush chair with a lapdog at her feet. IF she had grapes in the background that probably had a connection to Jesus as well- the stem from the vine, the saviour, the wine...

When I studied in Milan my Art History class went to almost every famous museum around Italy, and I learned quickly to play games with the paintings like:

Find the most evil looking cherub (there is ALWAYS one that has an evil face or is carrying a scythe instead of playing a harp)

Name that Saint based on the other symbols in the paintings (ie, Sebastian is the guy with the arrows, Catherine is beheaded, the dude in the cave with all of the skulls and the lion)

Name that century based on the formation of the women's bodies and whether Jesus looks like an adult or a child.

It's always interesting, and fun to realize that had I not taken that class, I wouldn't know that much about it or be able to play these games in the first place (well, the evil cherub game requires no previous learning).


Back in the apt. now, and debating whether to begin my German homework or study my music.
Began working on Presentation of the Rose not long ago, need to continue my work on Opera1 and Opera2 upcoming and ALSO learn three songs in Russian for my best friend's wedding that is in less than a month!!!

So maybe music now and homework later!
Ahh, the Perfekt tense, you'll just have to wait until after dinner.

my new favorite word

No, it's not some twenty syllable long amalgamation of German nouns and adjectives.

It is simply:

THE.

THE in English is the best word ever. Why? Because it's not The masculine, feminine, or neuter. It's not The in the predicate nominative, accusative, genitive or dative. It's not The in the conditional, it's not THE with a reflexive pronoun and a dative prepositional phrase, and I don't have to know what I'm going to say next, before I say THE in English.

IT"S JUST THE!!!

ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

...when you wish upon a star....

Disney Castle today was pretty awesome. Then a storm began at the top of the mountain and accompanied us down the mile walk to the waiting bus. We didn't get that soaked because of the tree cover, but it was still a bit of a rainy ending to an otherwise sunny and beautiful day.

What did I learn today? Ludwig the IIIrd who built all of these castles was a bit cray-cray... in that his obsession for Wagner and all things Wagner went a bit too far in my opinion.

He made a grotto in his backyard hoping that Richie would come hang out with him and play his music just for him. He also built in his other castle a mock up of the exact set of Wagner's first Parsifal and hoped that Richie and his buddies would come perform it there..for him...alone...

He also wrote personal letters to Wagner asking him to come visit and telling him that he's remodeling his new castle based on his first operas.

Hmm...ok then Luddie.

I also bought a stuffed little green dragon called Georg, but I think I will rename him something cooler and more dangerous sounding...like ...TROGDOR!!! The BURNINATOR!!! (Please see link to Strongbad if you have no idea what I'm writing about).

Now for a picture maybe, if the upload option in German works.



Neuschwannneeegeeeshweinhundmittlespazeinbisschendankeschoen



and my new best keychain friend:
Georg aka Trogdor the burninator'




(I think this is going to come out sidewayz, but I'm not going to do anything about it. Deal).

So that's my story for today. We came back "home"--not home yet since my desk for studying is filled with everything that I haven't unpacked yet-- and studied German verbs for about an hour (trying to memorize both their meanings and whether they take the dative or accusative or BOTH depending on the definition(s) ).


This week is supposed to be really cold again so I'll be appreciating my new HandM sweaters and leggings that I bought last week while I was freezing in the rain here.

night night.

Alice in Wonderland

Just got back from my first opera here: Alice in Wonderland by Unsuk Chin, conducted by Kent Nagano.
Bought half price (student) standing room tickets because the rest of the theater was completely sold out except for the 200 Euro seats and I don't think I can QUITE afford that...yet!

Got to the assigned standing room platz, saw that people were pretty much going anywhere with the best view, got a great middle of the theater view from the second to top most balcony, first standing room row, and then there ended up being a free seat right in front of me!

The production. SO amazing. The stage was raked to at least 50 degrees, there were actors, dancers and puppeteers on cables flying around and doing flips from one side to the other, the technical design was really creative, Alice (Sally Matthews) had to sing through a huge puppet head until the last scene, and her outfits were cleverly made to trick the eye into believing she actually did "drink me" and "eat me".
The rest of the cast besides Gwyneth Jones (queen of hearts) sang from the bottom of the stage with a bit of acting- that was a bit of a disappointment as they didn't really get to explore characters as much as be stock voices for the action going on onstage.

The music. Interesting and exciting. Some was Eastern influenced as well as some "computer" sounds, although I'm sure they were actually made by instruments. Very nice compositions with arias, duets, and other exerptable pieces. I heard some of the "new" music of Ades- like the character of the Cheshire Cat (Pia Komsi) who beguiles through wordless coloratura, more symbolic of a state of being rather than a lyric.

There is more to say and report, as well as illegal pictures to post taken from inside the theater during the curtain calls, but for now, I have to get to sleep because I'm going to visit the Disney Castle (yay disney!) bright and early tomorrow morning.

Oh happy day! Oh happy weeee....... (me)

The internet lives again on my ibook!
I no longer have to login in on german or austrian computers with messed up keyboards that switch the letters y and z and have actual keys for umlauts, and have no @@@@@@@ symbol. You heard me. @@@@ on german keyboards is control alt Q !!! Who would KNOW that?


It has been quite a week with travels to four European countries, only one of them was for vacation, and performances, debuts, competitions, classes, overnight trains with no sleep, evening trains that turned into overnight trains because of railway strikes, and much, much, much more.

For now I'm settled in my new place for the next month. I've had two days of class and although I'm finding it very challenging so far, that is of course what I'm here for.

I've already visited one cool castle, this weekend I'll go see another one (the one Disney based its emblem on), I've bought blankets and sweaters at HandM because even though it is summer it has been absolutely freezing here and all I've had is my black hoodie to wear over my tank tops from the motherland.

Music? I already have 4 tickets to the Festival (I wish to go to the Festival!)--to see Le Corsaire, Orlando, Alice in Wonderland (standing room tomorrow night) and Rosenkavalier IF our connection comes through (one of the students in my class is an opera production history professor on a Humboldt Scholarship here and knows "Kent" personally!


So. First official login of the next month's plan to be in ONE place (well, during the week at least!)
Ta Da.
No more garment bags, carry on suitcases, or foreign train schedules. At least for a week or so!

Vacation in Verona and Venice or, How to learn an opera in five days without really trying

I arrived in Munich one week ago looking forward to a relaxing Italian holiday before my studies were to begin.
The hotel had wireless (yessss!) and I just happened to check my email one last time before packing up lappylaptop for a week and leaving it all by it's lonesome while I cavorted around the Veneto.



(and by cavorting I mean eating gelato, and taking pretty pictures of the view from Ponte Pietro)

And then a curious email. Could I call someone asap about filling in for a leading role in a concert version of my absolute favorite opera in English and dream dream role to perform? Well SURE I could!

Have I performed it before? Not entirely, and never with orchestra. But I had been assigned numerous duets and the famous finale many times throughout the past in summer programs, school, etc.

Can I arrive in ANOTHER COUNTRY on Thursday? SURE--just set it up. I'll leave Venice a day early.

Can I be off book? WHY NOT?!

And so- a lesson in learning an opera in five days (after your music is sent to you via two huge pdf files and you spend 20 Euros printing it out at EZInternet Cafe across from the Munich Hauptbahnhoff at midnight the day before your departure for said vacation)
:
1. Words, words words.
What else could you do on a 5 hour train ride but repeat and write down the text?
Over and over. And then again. I like to write out everything I need to learn in as tiny print as possible on one piece of paper.
I do it looking at the score first, and then to test myself, I write it out again without later on. But until then, I wandered around Verona Day 1 with that piece of paper, testing my memory and referring to just that instead of the full score.

2. Ipod Ilove.
I happened to have the correct version of the show in a recording on my ipod so for the ensemble pieces that I had never really paid attention to before, I could get the tonality in my head.
Luckily I also had my pitch pipe, so at night before going to sleep at the hotel I would blow the first pitch of a piece, and try to very quiety sing through it and see if I end up on the right pitch at the end.
If not, I back up and find out where I went wrong.

Between running the words on every train, walking down via Mazzini, and at Juliet's Balcony on day 1 and 2, I got most of the words down.
The music was harder because since we were always in a public place I couldn't sing out.

EXCEPT that I did give the stagecrew a performance at the Arena di Verona at around 10am on Day2--- but I sang O mio babbino caro to the huge and amazing empty stone structure---it was pretty spectacular... plus, the crew that was setting up for that evening's Aida all stopped what they were doing, listened, and clapped at the end.

By Thursday night I was humming everything without looking at the music anymore, and I could run the words at any time, anywhere.

So I got on the plane, flew an hour, and after three rehearsals on Friday, learning the staging, and falling into bed exhausted, it was performance day on Saturday--and voila- my European Debut.

Feels great.
And now back to regular life.

ok, bye for realz...

no, no, don't be alarmed... I'm not leaving 4evah, just leaving vaycay-locale number 1 tonight at 2am, and thought I'd say a parting adieu

-to my uncle's computer from which I've been blogging and checking my email for the past 3 weeks (well, that is when he's not checking his stocks for hours until 11pm our time here every night),
-to the stray kittens (3) that were born in the backyard and now finally believe that we are not out to trample over them, but instead give them milk and cheese and leftover chicken,
-to the days at the beach trying to just get a tan on my legs and ending up with many more freckles on my face and shoulders than planned,
-to the afternoon naps when I tried to not fall asleep while learning the next opera I am supposed to memorize (and then fell asleep until 4:30),
-to visiting family that I only get to see once a year if I'm lucky
-to wandering around cities that were built hundreds of years ago and that have more than a thousand years of history and conquest within their walls,
-to the modern and technologically advanced cellphones that never stop ringing in public no matter where you are,
-to the foods that I'll love to miss all next year until the next time,
-to a well-deserved vacation after a hard year of work, but also the beginning of a month that's more my style:

Crazy. Busy. Fast. Packed. School. Auditions. Museums. Opera. Day trips. Paris. Art. Cafes. Jet-setting. The life.

2nd favorite map website

This one!

I typed in the street I'll be studying on, the street I'll live on, and the street where my hotel is for the first 2 nights.
And the scrolling is superb-along with the helpful attractions listed on each corner. Yeaaaah!


Also just printed out my train tickets from Munich to Verona and Venice, ON A4 paper I might add, (as instructed!)

And I may have a 2nd packing wind to try and fit all of those clothes back into the suitcases today.

Now all that's left is figuring out Munich to Vienna- I'll save that possible headache/expense for July.

it's the most wonderful time...of the..

No, It's not Christmas, the holiday that I've already celebrated three weeks before and gotten eight cheesy presents including probably socks and an opera DVD that is fach-inappropriate my from my parents.

It's googlemap time!

I received the address of where I"ll be staying in Germany and I immediately checked out the neighborhood. I'm really excited because it looks like a WALK (not an S or U bahn ride) away from where my classes will be, and it's next door to the Musikhochschule (sweeeeet- hope I can practice for free there, or even find a coach to sing with a bit), a 10 min. walk from the main train station (for all of my get-out-of-town-and-go-exploring needs), and also about a 10 minute walk from the Opera House at which I hope to attend as many performances as I can of the summer opera festival.

So while I'm having a grand old time on my post-hometown-vaycay-vaycay in Verona and Venice next week, there shall be little blogging due to the fact that I shall not bring my computer with me. (probably). Yes, it's time. I can do it. One week with no lappylaptop, and here's hoping that our B&B's and hotels have internet access so I can at least check my email every few days!!

SIS for serious and travel plans

Sweeeet--- In that magical-it's-memorized kind of way, I have the first 49 pages and the Act III quintet of opera-number-one memorized!!!
Did I "try"?
Well, not really. Not like writing down what my lines are and going through them in my head every few hours of every day.
But it's there! Hey, I HAVE reviewed it passively (ie, as I'm falling asleep for my afternoon nap) every day for about 1.5 hrs.
I'm attributing the quintet memorization to the fact that I've already sung it (9 years ago). Woah, that is weird.

But the first scene? That's just plain there-- so woo hoo!

In upcoming-month-of-insanity-and-learning news,

I heard back from the VIPs that I needed to hear back from.
I can now buy train or plane tickets for everywhere I need to be, sing and study through June 30th.
It is also "decided" from the responses in the emails that I will have to end up taking trains to the competition that's 5 hrs away, instead of a flight.

The flight (round trip if I make it for the ENTIRE competition from Monday-Sunday) is 114 dollars.
Guess what it is ONE way if I want to buy just that since I don't know how far I'll get in the competition? 533! NOT KIDDING.

Trains aren't any better, because if I reserved NOW it would be about 70 Euros each way, but if I do it the day before (which is the only time I"ll know when I need to be there or not), it jumps to 130 each way. Euros. Ouch.

The ONLY thing that makes these prices OK (well, not the 530 dollar flight, but the 5 hour expensive trains) is the fact that I have people to stay with so I won't be paying for a hotel.

And hey, I've read all of those posts on nfcs about how great it is to find a train compartment all to yourself and warm up in one--so maybe that's what I'll take advantage of- at least on the way there.

That's all for now.
I'm kind of looking forward to trying to pack all of my clothes and books back into those 2 suitcases and hoping that they are not over the weight limit (again) for my upcoming flights. I'm looking forward to only having to deal with a carry-on suitcase for the next week, and traveling during my week before the learning really begins, and of course, looking forward to the learning as well!

e-life update

It's a LITTLE better. I still hate waking up and having hours to wait before the East Coast of America wakes up and decides to email me...or not.
(Mostly not) H8trs!!!

I received a response regarding a kindof important inquiry, and also an invitation to house me during a kindof (same kindof) important competition that is upcoming...and...hmm...well, I suppose I should be singing and practicing for it more than I have for the past 2 weeks- which, has been, besides my one audition, none.

Still no response from more sources that I'd definitely like to hear from before this Thursday, my departure date from current-country-of-vaycay and my arrival date at future-country-of-study.

e-life mini rant

When I send you an email and it's still "work" hours in your country, I KNOW that you're receiving it. I know also that you are not on vacation, because you sent me an email last week!
My questions don't require a degree in laser technology or quantum physics to answer. They require 5 minutes of thought, and then a response.

I've been waiting 10 days now, after 2 emails sent from e-offender-number-one. Three from numer two. And about a week from eight others although they get more time because they actually have to review my materials and schedule things.
And yesterday and today I've sent out numerous emails already and no response! I know you're at work, people! How many emails could you POSSIBLY be receiving???

Are you really going to make me call you long distance?

I'm simply trying to get the next month in order and you're not being very helpful.
So, please, get on task and check your email and respond to me!

thkx, Luvya4evr, lol, ttyl

SIS progress

Ok, besides the one line interjections every few pages that are all minor thirds, or octave jumps up and down and that require me to pay attention to other people's lines and my entrances with counting, I can get through the entire role of Opera-I-Need-to-learn-number-one without really batting an eyelash.
No, it's not memorized. But it COULD be! If I were memorizing.

I forgot that when I was 16 I sang the quintet scene. It was actually the first real "review" I got on Opera-L. (It's still there I think). Something about this 16 year old is someone to look out for..bla bla bla..coloratura...bla bla bla..energetic, talented, la di dah.

And I have NO memory of doing it or learning it except for the outfit I wore (wow- let's not even talk about that), ok lets--- My hair in a low ponytail to look like a servant. Black capri pants with white stockings underneath them.
My mom's oversized 80s white blouse with a front ruffle, and a purple suede sleeveless vest- unbuttoned.
And I have the pics to prove it.


Opra-Number-Dos-that-I'm-needing-to-learn is on its way to this country in the correct language, and until then I have fun with the German score and listening to the best Mozart overture ever. Ok, in my opinion ever.


AND in "agented" news, a competing offer for a role I've already sung for a bunch more money, but I'm turning it down to do Opera-Number-Dos because:

a. I need and want to add this role to my repertoire, and the other role I already know and have performed and have a great recording of, to prove to anyone that I can sing it already.

b. Role Dos will show people I can be a character actress and not just an automaton and it is becoming more popular in the US (especially in the last year) to perform this opera.

c. Although contracts can come and go in this business, I still have a bit of respect for them, and even though it's hard to say no to almost triple the pay, I like to keep good relations with these companies and I do have respect for putting my name down to something.
(If it were quadruuuuuple the money, that would be another story- because that would pay my NY audition fees and sublet for the next 3 years!)

d. If I can't have the best of both worlds (even though I think I could easily be "plugged in" to ANY production--even the day before--- singing the role which I have been offered by this other company), then I'll take something new and challenging at this stage rather than repeating something I've done- because it can only expand my repertoire, my marketability, my artistic experience, and I love love love Opera-Dos.

Not to say that I want to be a starving artist forever. But just this one time I'm sticking to it for the role.
So, I can't really sing that good ole' rap lick: "I did it all for the ....." (MONEY!!!)

But I know I'm making the right decision.

yes pareeee holds the key, to...her...

HEART!!!

What non-disney animated movie am I from?
If you guessed Anastasia you're correct! Oh Dmitri, you were such a hot cartoon character.

So yes, it's almost 99% sure that special someone and I will be able to spend a whole lovely weekend in Paris while I'm abroad. He'll come visit his family (here--- go figure we couldn't make this overlap) first, and then on the way back to the US, he'll fly through Paris, which I will also fly to, and it will just be one big magical rage for 2 days and 2 nights in the city of lights!!!

Haven't been there in such a long time! Can't wait. And we may even have a free place to stay-bonus!

Not even going to TOUCH the possibility of doing auditions there with a ten foot pole!

Chocolate Croissants, walks in the gardens, and the Marais, here we come :)

ok, fine.

I got over my "but will I be able to schedule it" syndrome this morning while I was perusing Operabase for future performances in 2008Jan. and beyond.

There are opera houses nearby that have uncast (well, in Operabase) Ballos, Ariadnes, and more things that are appropriate, and I just sent their Kunstlerichesbetriebsburo (that is SO not spelled right, but it's the KBB and possibly the hardest word I'll have to pronounce while I'm in Germany) people an email requesting an audition.

Singing for houses is much for fun than singing for agents who may or may not send you out for house auditions! So I hope they get back to me and it is a "ja".

Plus, it's an excuse to take trains to cities in Germany and Austria that I would otherwise probably not have visited.

the waiting game

Last night I sent 8 emails out to German theaters and agents to set up auditions when I arrive in a few weeks.
Now I wait.
One response from the ZBF bounced back- great. I've looked everywhere online and the email address to which I sent it to is that one that is always listed. I guess I'll have to contact them by phone or fax when I arrive.
Another response- we don't accept email audition inquiries, plus we need to hear you more than once.
Ok, I get that these people don't KNOW that I'm only going to be there for a month, but would travel back there at the drop of a hat after January.

I have mixed feelings about these auditions (if they happen) in general. First, of course I want to sing for them. Because I know it'll be great as usual and I'll be happy about it and I love auditioning anyway.
Next, I'm not sure how my actual schedule will work out and when my class time will be (morning or afternoon), and when I could even possibly sing for these people.
I don't want to miss SO much class just to do an audition. Of course I'm only really contacting people in the city I'll be in, so it probably won't be that complicated.
Still, I'd almost rather just like to focus on my studies there, even though the reason that I'm doing these studies is to be more comfortable so that I can work there one day.
So yes, I want to sing for them. But no, I don't want it to complicate everything.
Yes, I want to hear back from these emails saying we want to hear you. But I'm apprehensive about them getting back to me with set dates that I will then (maybe) not be able to make.

Ahh.
This shouldn't be so annoying, but for some reason it is- because I'm not THERE already to figure all this out. Because it's not about talking to people on the phone or by email in a language that I'm 100% comfortable with.
Because I'm all about scheduling and being on top of things--and this seems like the great unkown.

I'm not stressed really, just have to wait and see what happens.

In the meantime, I spent from 11am-4pm either laying out and reading Candide (always, always, something I love to pick up again no matter where I am), or going to the Beach and swimming--hoping that somehow my legs will be less ghostly white at the end of this vacation!

shakin' that thing part one maybe

Ok,
So I got over the "ouch my most of me" from yesterday.
Today I did the workout dvd again, and this time I was able to do about 37 out of the 54 minutes.
NOT a bad improvement from feeling like I want to pass out at 20 minutes last time, PLUS I didn't skip any sections like I did two days ago (squats and lunges- I hate you so).

Will I really get on a kick of trying to do this every other day? Or maybe even EVERY day ? (gasp!)

Well, I suppose it depends on how I feel tomorrow, doesn't it now!

The reason I worked out today is simple. Pure guilt.
We had a cookout last night with all the cousins and their husbands and the little ones, and although I was able to curb my pita intake, I could NOT curb my most favorite childhood dessert intake- I hadn't seen this cake since my grandmother made it for us when I was probably less than age 8.

Ugat Biskvitim.

I know- sounds like something Borat would call his sister-in-law, but actually it's a most delicious frozen chocolate/sugar/crushed biscuit delicacy. YUM. I had many more pieces than necessary.

And weirdly enough, I happened to see what my progress in kilos was today. It's so much LESS exciting when you lose about a kilo as opposed to 2.2 pounds, because you're still the same "big" number--only the decimal point changes.
So after gorging myself on the cake and other fine foods, I was down 3/4 of a kilo. Not bad for not trying at all.
Maybe with the workout thing and trying to curb my insatiable appetite for the cuisine of this region I'll get closer to that magic number that is under a certain number.

So today's lesson is:
Project 'Shake that thing' is really not that hard. I have the time to do it. And it's not as bad as I think it will be right before I decide to start the dvd, and it's not as bad as I thought it would be when I finish the dvd.

And maybe I'll still get to eat all the Ugat Biskvitim that I want IF I shake that thing ;)

ouch my most of me (part one)

(if you have no idea where that saying comes from check out the strongbad link and go to the clips of teen girl squad. If you don't care, then fine).

So, as I said, Owwww, my most of me--- Yesterday I decided that after a productive afternoon of SIS, learning pages one through 45 (yea!), I would be even MORE productive and do a workout dvd that I have not done in, oh, about a year.

Since I'm not at a gym I have a one hour really really really intense dvd workout that I cart along with me and every once in a while---no, that is a lie---very rarely, but at SOME point during the time I'm away, I pull it out because I'm feeling like I need to lose 10 pounds. Which I don't. But it would be nice to be below a certain number on the scale-- albeit a low number, but still.

So I haul out the dvd, pop it in the ibook, and start flailing around like an idiot and really feeling the burn after about 20 minutes when my heart feels like it's about to jump out of my body.

I definitely didn't do the whole hour. So maybe 35 minutes later while I'm speeding through the post-workout stretches (something you should NEVER do), I'm lying on the floor thinking- wow this is going to hurt tomorrow.
And it does.
To move, to wake up, to be alive.
Even my throat is sore--although I shouldn't attribute a sore right tonsil to killing myself on squats, I know. But I am, and that means that I probably won't do this workout again for a while.

Well, I'm not so sure. I'd LIKE to look more toned for a certain upcoming role where I have to be a boy- in case the costume shows the arms and I wear tights and one of those silly outfits that looks like a poofy balloon pants costume, only hiked up to your thighs. But it's not like what's below my neck and above my stomach is going to get "toned"! Nope, those'll just get taped and strapped in.

ouch my most of me (cont.)

WHAT?!
I sat in the SHADE for about 3hrs today. With only my pasty white LEGS that never, ever, tan or burn no matter what product or no product I put on them--exposed to the sun.
Fast forward to after my nap (I know, I sound SO spoiled- sitting outside all day, naps), and I wake up and my neck and chest are all red above where I was wearing my tank top!

Not the arms to the sides of it, not my face. Just my chest in a lovely little "U" shape.

Can you get burned in the shade?

Here is what I"m thinking:

WHILE I was sitting in the shade I happened to be illegally picking up someone else's very weak internet signal. So I positioned my laptop on my knees. Maybe it caught the sun? And then burned me from the reflection?
Are you kidding me?
If so, laptop and I are going to have a serious fight, and I may not be checking my email as often, if the effect is a sunburn- which I hope this doesn't turn into, because it doesn't hurt too badly--yet.

SIS

OK, the grant proposal is in editing phase, so I don't need to spend so much time on it. NOT that it has stopped me from walking around the city, looking at fabulous clothes, buying great music and a recommended book, going to the beach, etc.
But I've been here for 10 days now, and I think it's time that I approach my music seriously.

Preparation I've completed for role #1:
Translated entire score, hi-lited my part, listened to two recordings, watched a dvd of the opera (ok, I skipped the parts my character was not in), counted the number of pages I have to memorize out of the whole score (something like 133 out of 300 or so), counted the number of pages that I already have memorized (not that many, but it's both arias completely memorized, and musically- a decent chunk of the quintet), and realized that the BULK of this role that I dont' have memorized is the worst kind of memorization- one line interjections, singing my own line in huge ensembles, or doubling someone an octave above their line on different words.

Why is this the worst kind of memorization? Well, it's really the hardest. It's so easy to isolate a certain number of pages- an aria, a duet, a trio. You have melody. You have a counter-melody. You either sing one of those or the harmony to that. The words USUALLY have a start and finish and a POINT, rather than when you're stuck up there in the stratosphere repeating something 10 times about how exciting it will be to all to go to the fortune-teller's house and see what she has to say!

So. I really have to make myself learn those parts. Preferably now-ish instead of watching subtitled tv here and championing my French and Italian whenever they show a foreign movie, and cowering in a corner whenever I flip through the German tv channel and understand only the "little" words, and realize I'll be there in 3 weeks!

Work I've done on role #2:
Well, I don't have the right score yet (which is the English translation), but this is a role I've actually wanted to study for a very long time, so in the meantime, I have a much better musical grasp on the whole thing just because I like it more and have studied it before. Actually, I love the music in this opera. It's my favorite overture. So I think that I could sing the entire thing except maybe some sections of the quartet, and of course the finale where it's like singing Mozart's sop2 part- you're the "not-important filler harmony' that makes what the higher sop and tenor sing sound pretty!

Hmm, in review, while I began this post as a bit worried about my lack of progress in Self-Imposed-Study, I think I actually already know quite a bit more than I would have expected by now. That's not to say that I've done any real work while I've been here, which is WHY I am writing this and need to start--today! But it's not like I'm singing these roles next week and still have 200 pages of music to learn!

Yea!

more competition stuff

It's 11:15 pm and I'm at my friend's apartment in the city and she only has 28 minutes of juice left on her macbook. What to do, what to do-- already checked my email, so now it's time for yet another update--that comes from emails I've received throughout the day.

I was notified today that through house-audition last week I got past the qualifying round for a kinda-major international competition.

Great. So the comp. that wants me is the one that I have a huge conflict with. And by huge, I mean, the registration day is in another country altogether, and it's the same date as my placement test in Germany.

And by huge, I mean that the whole first week of the competition is described as: day of registration, day of coaching, day 1 of singing (by lottery), day 2 of singing (by same lottery), and then you see if you're in the semi-finals.
And those first 5 days I'll be doing NOTHING if I go to the competition besides singing with a pianist for 10 minutes on Tuesday, and singing for 15 minutes on EITHER wednesday or thursday depending on the lottery, but I'll definitely be missing German class day 1,2,3 and if I get into the semis- 4...5,6,..whatever..
The semi's I'd miss it for.
But the prelims?

Iiii'm just not quite sure yet.

I've just written them (the competition) a LOVELY polite email VERY politely asking if there is ANY leeway in the arrival date and describing my sad sad story of being between a rock and a hard place with the German studies and with their obviously cooler/more important competition.

So it's a waiting game now--but even if they say no, I'm SO tempted to do it anyway. But I don't want to be kicked out of the German program because I'll be missing the first TWENTY hours of instruction! That doesn't sound good.
I mean, I have no problem with being a bit of a delinquent, but, I just don't think there's any way that THEY would agree to have me just leave--and expect me to catch up when I returned...
right?
right?

We'll see.

21 minutes remaining until mr.macbook bites the dust for the night. Too bad the charger is in my friend's room and she's sleeping already b/c she has to work tomorrow!

thoughts from the beach

I went to one of the most beautiful beaches here this morning. Quiet, not in the big city, actually- in the town I was born in. Not many people out at 9am on a workday.
The water was cool/warm, and walking through it looking at shells and out at the surf I got to thinking about--well, everything.

Things like how lucky I am that even though I work so so hard to be working and singing all of the time, the way that this career works is that I DO get breaks and this time to visit my family and have a vacation.
Even though I worry about where and when I'll work next and I am constantly self-promoting, thinking about contacts I need to keep in touch with, new contacts I can make, whom I can notify about this or that, upcoming, auditions, etc, and even though I'd rather be the most busy person, even too busy- taking on projects right and left, having this time, even if it was just a week (turns out it's almost three this year), is really important.

And not many people with "regular" jobs get to have that. So sure, I'll take my starving artist lifestyle with its ups downs, fear of lack of stability, success that relies not only on talent but also on the knowledge of the business and how to break into it and stay there, and everything that comes with it over a nine to five.

If I get to have mornings like I did today. Where I thought about family, love, life, happiness, kids, and yes, even music, scores I need to learn, what to listen to next on my ipod, how crazy it is to be apart from people and things that you love and still find connections to them in the smallest ways- like seeing a shirt you'd buy for him that you just know he'd love, or seeing a couple floating off in the waves farther away than anyone else in the water--alone in togetherness.

new project

Ok, so my self-diagnosing with the help of WebMD was apparently wrong, since after taking decongestants I developed that scary "I might have bronchitis" kind of productive cough. Whatever. It's day 3 and almost everything is gone including the cough, so I'm just going to chalk it up to a well-deserved post-Opera season sickness due to de-stressing and my body finally knowing that it's ok to get sick and no important singing or rehearsing or coaching is coming up.

AND I have a new project! I know, I know, I"m on vacation. But when did I ever turn a grantwriting project down? NEVERRRRR!

If I had to pick other jobs related to the music world those would be easy:
Agent, Publicist/PR, Artistic Director of an Opera Company or running my own summer program for young singers--things where I get to be dealing with promoting singers whose talents I believe in.

But in my non-musical dream jobs (well, first would be secretary of state, then a cultural attachee to France or something, and then a Middle-Eastern think tank), grantwriting for the arts is a CLOSE...fourth? :)

It's something I've freelanced with for a number of years, something I'm confident about when I have all of the right information to write a kick-ass proposal, and something that I like doing- because it has a timeframe, it's a one-time in-depth research project for me, and it involves getting other people's worthy causes in the arts funded.

So- there you have it.
My next project (due by the end of this week!!!) is the vision of a well-known photographer who wants to do a photo-narrative exploration involving 10 other photographers of a land and people that have been in turmoil with themselves and their national identity ever since statehood.

Off to be creative.

300th post and a new diagnosis

Could I possibly have allergies?????

Ok, I thought when my throat was itching and burning, I was blowing my nose every two seconds, and had all KINDS of colors of phlegm plus a low-grade fever that it was Strep or a virus. Well that test was negative 2 wks ago but I changed my climate, stayed inside for a few days with soup and rest, and then things were seemingly better.
Now I'm once again in new environs, I'm stuffy yet blowing the nose all the time again, throat itches and burns, redness, but no swelling of nodes or tonsils or anything that would raise alarm at all...

And I feel sneezy.

Allergies? Really? Will taking some drying pill really make this all go away?
Please say yes, because the beach wasn't fun when it hurt to swallow while watching the surf this morning.

audition..and what the..

I sang for home-land opera today- Zerbie, Durchz(v.1) and doll(v.2).
There were 2 other singers there who only sang 2 full pieces each. The bass-bari sounded good, and, of course, was studying in America, and the other sop. began with the Queen's first aria which was REALLY under tempo and really shaky. I mean-- if you can't hit that last F except for a little squeak that you hope comes out, WHY would you start with this piece? Or sing it at all?
Very interesting.

This 2nd singer, actually, is a girl that I sang with in a program 5 years ago. I recognized her, said hello, and we caught up in the few minutes before the audition.
She lives in Berlin, along with many other singers from here, and is trying to get by. Not sure she has jobs all the time, or anything like that- we didn't get to talking about that, but we all try to come back "home" and see if the hometeam will consider us, hire us, so that we can be with our family in the place that we love.

So. The singing went fine even though I'm most certainly NOT over Jetlag. I fell asleep at 11, woke up at 1, parched, fell asleep at 2, woke up at 5, and stayed up pretty much until I got out of bed at 9:30 to get ready for the day.
Also (the ...and what the... section of the title) I'm weirdly sick again with the same thing from 2 weeks ago. I had a fever last night, my throat is itchy, I can't even describe what I'm coughing up, and through it all- I can still sing fine.
It doesn't FEEL so good after I'm finished (which is why I'm resting in bed right now instead of at the beach), but the singing is still there, the high G's are still popping out, and the low E's are fine as well.
Hope nothing's really wrong because I'm not about to go see a Dr. on my vacay.

Oh, about the audition...I had a pianist who would absolutely not take my tempi. I mean, I asked him in the 5 min. rehearsal to take the Zerbie a bit faster than he was playing it, and he said he'd follow me. So I keep singing again, and he's still stuck. I speed up, and he doesn't go along and then I'm ahead.
UGH. So I had to do everything a bit slower today, INCLUDING DurchZ (how can I do my cool 'one breath' thing when it's so slow? I CAN"T!), and the Doll (LORD if those cadenzas in the 2nd verse weren't so easy for me to do because I'm used to being on roller skates or tethered in a gold outfit doing some craziness--I don't know how I would have gotten through with that tempo).

But again, it all went fine--because I knew he wouldn't speed up, I didn't freak, and I just went with it- with as much energy and support as possible.
And it was really good.

The Zerbie in particular is what I love beginning with now. From So War--otherwise it's too long.
But I can really get into it even though it's in the middle of the piece.
The only problem with it is that 3 times now I've been asked to sing DurchZ afterwards, and it's two octaves lower singing! And that is not the easiest.
The line of Mozart comes out great after the Strauss, it's just that dropping down that much after hanging out on high E's is a bit tricky. I am getting more used to it and preparing that way- warming up really high and then sustaining low E's and seeing how it feels.
It's "fine", but probably not as good as if Durch Z were my starter. But then they'd NEVER ask for Zerbie.
Sad.

Oh, and it's official. An "agented" long distance audition has landed me an AWESOME gig next year in a "cool" place :)

hello from the motherland

I've arrived and it's sunny and perfect.
Despite arriving two hours late due to lack of busses to transport people from the gate to the airplane in Frankfurt, I got here, my suitcases got here, and now I get to see my family, see friends, go to the beach, learn some music and some Geramn, and basically enjoy myself for the next month (with an audition or two thrown in the mix if possible).

First one is in two days and I'm feeling "post-airplane"-esque, meaning I need to down water, not talk that much, and maybe not break into the awesome-ness that IS hummus in this country...YET....and try and be good to my throat for two more days before splurging on my native land's finest gastronomic delights.

I don't have very much access to email (people aren't wi-fi happy here), but surprisingly my PHONE can send text messages! (Wonder how much THAT costs!), and I'll be getting a local cellphone today so that my family can keep tabs on me!

Ciao for now.
Going to sit outside in the beautiful weather.

worst travel weekend ever

...and I have had 4 flights scheduled.
The first one (Wed night) was on time, lovely, and the flight attendant even sang for us (yes, it was on Southwest).
The second one (Today) was HORRIBLE. United at O'Hare. Supposed to leave first at 4, then delayed until 5:15, 6:30, 7:45, 8:45 and finally we get a plane at 10:30, and then they take off the "delay time" indefinitely because there is not a FULL CREW to take me back home!
WHAT?!!!
Meanwhile there are THREE flight attendants who are just..flying..that flight..meaning, they're off duty or something, or they worked their max. hours...and they can't do anything.

Then I'm on the plane sitting next to a lady who must have just eaten some sort of meat sandwich because that's all I smelled for the entire flight, and behind me are three kids who think it's awesome to grab the top of my seat (inadvertantly pulling my hair) and then slam their playing cards on the tray table (rendering me unable to sleep at all).
There's a baby one aisle away whose mom is letting her climb all over the seats (inappropriate-the flight is full. sit your kid down- we don't need to have drool dripping from her mouth to the front of our chair), there's a guy who is separated from his fiancee and keeps asking his neighbor to get up so he can walk up 2 rows and make sure she's ok and talk to her, there's some other shrieking kids nearby (people--seriously. When I was a kid, if we made noise it was g'bye public place--restaurants, whatever..so we learned NOT to make noise and we were civilized children!!!)

So finally at 10:45 we get in the air. 2 hrs and a 1.5hr car ride later, I'm back and it's 3am almost.

Saturday I have to take a TRAIN for 3.5 hours into the city, then get on international flight number one, then get on international flight number two, before reaching my destination.

Hope it's not horrible.
ALSO- what is up with pilots somehow getting worse at decompressing the airpressure on the plane?
It seems like you're landing for 45 minutes! I mean, you ARE, but they can decompress better and my ears wouldn't be freaking with pain and not able to pop no matter how much I yawn or chew.

I think the thing I hated most what that I couldn't control any of it.
As soon as I arrived at 2 I really thought- ok, one delay. Next.
Then at 6 I started to think otherwise. But I had no computer. No way to see if any other airline was flying back here. No way to book a "for emergency" ticket on Southwest tomorrow morning (from the only acceptable airport in Chicago- MIDWAY!)...

So what is the lesson? Never leave my laptop at home even if I think it's too heavy to carry around with me in the city and schlep in my shoulder bag that really should be a backpack because I mess up my neck every time I carry things that are too heavy.

Basta.
Now I'm not even tired and it's 3am.

ah, 'twas not to be...harsh necessity

brought me to this gilded...bed...

Yes, I got the weird NYC allergy/throat thing from the horrid weather. Over the past two days I've had fevers, chills, sore throat, coughing, one second I'm freezing then I'm overheating.

So I had to forego the third leg of my competition trip--to the midwest via the west of midwest, however--- I am feeling MUCH better today (and even feeling a little badly because I bet I COULD have sung just fine tomorrow..but today's plane ride would have been hell if I had gone), but no. I needed to cancel. It was the better choice. Better than waking up at 4am this morning, still kind of sick, getting on two planes, and competing tomorrow.
I will STILL be singing in OTHER-midwest-city competition on Thursday (flying there Wednesday), and in the meantime, be eating chicken soup and tea for two days to get 100% awesome...

Weirdly enough throughout the 2 days my voice never felt crappy. I felt like I could sing through it all (which I always can), but it's just not worth the risk. The what if..
The...oh my lord are my vocal cords bleeding into my mouth right now...
and the...oh if I only had insurance to get scoped right now what I wouldn't give for a visit to the otolaryngologist.

In FUN healthcare news, I did go to the ER in brooklyn yesterday JUST to make sure that I didn't have strep (and according to the speedy 3 min. test, I don't). They saw me in less than 45 minutes, I cleared it with my crappy Blue Cross insurance, so it was allowed "out of state", and I'm hoping not to get a gigantic bill in a while.

I am SO not the type to go the ER, but that's how bad it was yesterday. Fever, aches, weirdness, etc.
500mg of Amoxicillin and tylenol later and I'm feeling better and not feverish. Throat is still a bit sore, but much of the actual pain is gone.

Ok, in revision-of-this-blog reading, do some words sometimes really look wrong to you?
Right now I'm looking at the word don't, which in the first typing I forgot the ' in, and it just looked so RIGHT without it.
I mean...dont.
don't.
dont
dont- it doesn't even SOUND like it looks, or looks like it should sound. Do not. Dooo naught.

Ok, this tangent may actually mean I should continue to rest and not do any heavy lifting or operating of vehicles.

295th post

I know, it's not as important as 300, but it seems that I'll be away from my computer for the next few days--more competitions, more flights to the middle of nowhere via the middle of nowhere but a little bit south and west of there, and then leaving on a real big jet plain.
The trade winds did not change today. I sang like a champ, but alas, no finals for the competitions. Oh well. I have two more chances in the next week.
Today for the first time in almost 9 months I actually felt sick in my throat towards the end of the day. It was SICK out in NYC today. I mean, really. Freezing. Cold. Windy, Rainy. And did I mention freezing-and the only jacket I had was my thin black hoodie (well, that's not true. I bought a cute white rain jacket yesterday but for fashion's sake...it wouldn't go with my cute shoes this morning...so I didn't wear it...big mistake).

6 hours of wandering around the lower east side, union sq., the village, and hitting Magnolia bakery, I was NOT feeling swell.
I actually raided a RiteAide for their chloraseptic losenges, pectin drops, and theraflu (that stuff makes me so crazy tired though). I feel MUCH better now, and weirdly enough even though it feels like there is shrapnel of glass shards IN my lower throat, my singing voice and speaking voice feel fine and I CAN sing and speak just fine too.
I'm not stuffy. No other symptoms except weird throat burning upon consuming anything to drink and trying to swallow. Ouch. But it's better after the theraflu, the drops, and the water-downing of earlier this evening (when I was a bit more concerned about it).

So I'm going to SLEEP now. yes, on a friday night. in nyc. when I should be out having fun with friends from last summer, past summers, and current/previous-program.
And I'll sleep for as long as my phone doesn't ring tomorrow.
And then take it easy and get ready for my next trip out of here, early early Sunday morning.

So I don't know where or when the next entry may be. Could be tomorrow when I'm bored and have some magical thoughts on life and career. Could be from a different state next week, or a different country after next Saturday.

eggs in a basket

Today is a really good reminder of what the rest of the audition season is like.
Sing well at a competition. And I mean really well. Hear comments as I'm walking out like ...wow, etc. true French leggiero soprano, etc. bla bla bla high note..etc..
And then no callback call to the competition. Well, tonight that is. I would HOPE that they don't call me tomorrow and tell me.
So it's not like I'm waiting by the phone all night to see if they'll call, it's not like I haven't checked nfcs and seen that no one from today has received a yes/no call yet, it's not like I'm not getting on with my evening/night, having dinner with a friend, catching up on old times, and enjoying myself, but there is that little cringe of "what the F, people"-- you know I sang well and kicked the aria's butt, and you don't call? YOUR bad! hahahahahah!

So it's fine. Onward to the next competition time slot- tomorrow in the early am, meaning I'm waking up at 7:30. Yuck.

You can never put all of your eggs in one basket with these competitions. Who are the adjudicators anyway? Old peeps who have an idea of what beautiful music is, or are reminded of their favorite boyhood aria, una furtiva lagrima, and the other famous Italian hits.
That's ok. I'm just here to make my money back--and so far I've only spent about 100 on dinners, drinks and a lunch, and some fresh pineapple.

So maybe tomorrow will bring new trade winds of luck/competition winnings my way.

22 hours later

And I'm home sweet home.
Driving alone across the country is NOT fun.
Especially when you can't see out your rearview mirror because your car is so filled with your life for the past year or more, and the blankets, books, files, and george foreman's are infringing on your personal space!

Things I did in the car to not fall asleep:
1. Listened to musicals, because normal cd's were too "predictable", even on shuffle- since I knew every song and zoned out when it came on. For some reason, even though I knew every word to Joseph, Chorus Line, Fame, Chicago, Guys and Dolls- it kept me more active to listen to an hour's worth of a story rather than song after song. Except on the Eminem CD. That was amusing and I hadn't listened to it for at least 2 years (a last-minute find in the glove compartment of the car).
2. Gatorade, M&Ms, Spicy Doritos, and an occasional Nutri-Grain bar. This was NOT a leisure trip people. I had a day and a half to drive 1500 miles. Only gas and bathroom breaks allowed--every 5.5 hours when the gas got low.
3. Going through words to operas I've sung in my head (this is when I was REALLY tired and hoping I wouldn't drive off of the road!)
4. Calling people! (Until the first night my cellphone died in the car, and when I couldn't talk legally on the phone in New York State because it's not hands-free).


I'm here, I have one day to rest, get my competition dress drycleaned and get me to nyc.

And then more flights, and then more flights, and then here again, and then mother-land for a huge relaxing month of nothing but the beach, family, and friends.

surprises and almost home

Packed up, moved out, movin' on---with one pit stop at last-year-yap to say hello first, and then unloading my life from my car for the past year tomorrow, turning around and continuing right on with competitions, auditions, and my career for the next year.

This past week I had one bad thing happen, and then waited for the next 2--as bad things come in 3. First one personal, second two other life and music-related...not really "bad" just seem to be not the news or the "no news" rather than good news that I wanted.
Then I had one good thing happen, had a 2nd great thing happen, and today a third amaaaazing thing happened.
First two in my personal relationship, last one musical ===and regarding singing a role that I need and want to add to my repertoire in one of the coolest places I could think of ...
:) no more for now. Not until there is an official thing with my signature on it.

So what does that go to show? Well, first off who cares if bad or good things happen in one twos or threes...it's part of life, get over it, give it the time it needs for you to deal with it and move on to the next thing.

I'm approaching this week with an open mind, a clear head and throat (barring any allergies or post-season "time to get sick because I'm winding down" illness), and much anticipation of the great things to come.

And that feels so much better than feeling concerned and stressed about now, next year, or anything else.

unofficially no?

The rumor mill continues regarding whether any of the resident artists who sang previous-audition will be receiving a letter or phone call informing them that they are in the semi's of the competition to get into the program.
Two singers (mezzo and baritone) have heard from someone in the room that they were really liked and may receive a call.
No other news on any of the rest of us.

I will write head-of-the-program for feedback within the next days..actually, probably tonight-- and also I have been invited to email for further information regarding my audition since it was so repertoire-specific.

Spent most of the day packing more seriously, going to the post office and sending huge boxes of cd's, books and winter jackets (cost me 60 bucks for 3 boxes weighing 80 pounds in total), and really getting everything I own together.

Except scores I may need, and the whole mess of "papers" for all of the upcoming competitions, auditions, German auditions, things in translation...and life.

Onward.

important audition

I had an important audition today for the head of a program that I would love love love to be in, in a city that I would love love love to live in, that is doing rep in 08-09 that I would love love love to cover.

I was also singing an aria for the head of this program, that was from a role that she made famous during her career as a singer.
I started with it on purpose and because it really IS my favorite thing to sing.

It's long, AND she asked me to start from the 2nd section (not the usual 3rd section), which was GREAT! I got to sing some line and then all of the fireworks.

Yeeeehhaaaaawww!

So. That went well. And our AD commented that it was the best he's ever seen me act. And how much I've grown from the beginning of the year. It was a nuanced performance that was really great.

Then they asked for Durch Z, (another German!) which I would have agreed that they would pick not only because of the upcoming rep but also because it's short, and other than Oscar, nothing else was short on my list.

Durch is HARD after Aria number one. I sang it WELL except for ONE note. the LOW E. I mean, really people, I've just sung notes two octaves above that low E. And to hold it and make it pretty was really a challenge. So it was "pitchy" I get that. But maybe I still pulled the rest of it off enough to impress and maybe maybe maybe get into a program that I think I'll love love love :)

what is the difference...

5 minutes ago this was a longer post about my personal life.
It doesn't belong here, as I would rather blog about music, my career, and things that are amusing and relevant in my pursuit of my "happiness"- an operatic career onstage.

So it's gone now, and my thoughts will be better spent written in an actually diary using a (gasp) pen, and maybe in an email to my best friend.

the first g'bye

This afternoon (well, morning for me), I had lunch with one of my current-state friends. We met at my first donor-benefit concert for current-opera-company, and then she invited me to the high holidays with her family (9 month old son, husband, and his parents). We have kept in touch, she's come to see two of my performances, and now that the season is almost over it was time to meet again for a goodbye.
She brought her beautiful son with her, and we talked about kids, marriage, career, travels, future...a very nice conversation with a very real and down to earth person who believes things happen for a reason and that you can find your own happiness if you want to.

It left me feeling uplifted, excited for my future whatever it may hold, and also always wanting to remember that in this world of crazy singer's lives, what feels like constant drama with singing, divas, authority figures, scandals, rumors, and everything else catty about this business, in this world....you can still find happiness, peace, joy in yourself and your craft, and share things with new and other people that will excite and enliven your mind and spirit.

What's in store for the rest of the day?
Packing (for real), photocopying music to take with me for the summer, and general tying of of loose ends around here.
Maybe even clearing out the winshield washing fluid, character shoes, blankets, and old programs from the summer out of my trunk and starting to fill it with all of my packed things!!!

it was the day of the show y'all ;)

Ok, so after lolling around on my blankets for much of the rest of the afternoon, I got a second (or first) wind around 7pm, went to Target to buy some show gifts and cards for the principals, and then showed up for my call time at 8:15 after stopping for a quick bite.

The show was great. I mean, can you really go wrong with Mozart? No.
Actually, it's funny, but while I was picking up my sandwich I heard the overture on the radio at exactly the same time when it would have been starting in the house and thought to myself--wow, we're live on some station tonight?! Cool!
But then there was no clapping and it didn't go into "cinque...venti...trenta..." so I realized, alas, it was just a good pre-show vibe and got me in the mood to really be in the show tonight.

I'm back, feeling relaxed and hoping I can get a good night's sleep tonight to do it all again tomorrow!

one of those nights

ughghhghghg...
Couldn't get to sleep before 3am. Woke up at 5, 5:30, 6, 6:30, 7, 8, 8:30, 9, and my alarm was supposed to ring at 9:30 so that I could get up and get off of my mattress which is being picked up today by the person who bought it.

I feel like I got hit by a truck. And I have to sing a show tonight.
Who knows what I'll be doing shortly after my furniture is picked up at 10?

That's right. Going back to sleep on my FLOOR in my blankets.

still packing and almost furniture-less

Yes, tomorrow at 10am is the moment I must waive goodbye to the most comfortable bed I ever had, Ikea Malm full-sized AWESOME innerspring mattress in light birch.
I'll be sleeping on a sleeping bag and comforter for a week, or maybe the couch cushions if that's too uncomfortable...or a borrowed airmattress-but I find those to be more uncomfortable than the floor!

I have managed to pack about everything except papers and shoes.

Now that I have 4 new pairs of cute cute cute flats, I have to decide which ones (all?!!) I can take abroad, plus any other shoes (sandals, heels to see the OPERAS in, you know...).

I WANT to take: 4 pairs of flats in different colors, 2 pairs of heels (1 blk, 1 brwn), a cute pair of brown dressy shoes, and 2 pairs of sandals. But really--that would require a small suitcase on its own.

My ONE suitcase that I'm allotting myself to check is almost filled with clothes, and I still have to figure out what else to put in it (like shoes), the necessary makeup/toiletries that I refuse to buy in foreign lands, SCORES to learn, and then all of the wires that go with my stuff...
oh, wait, I think I wrote about ALMOST the exact same thing 2 posts down..gee, can you tell what's on my mind?

E-update:
-Still haven't heard from person I emailed 3 days ago. Umm, really? Ok, you get till the middle of next week, then you are on my uncool list.
-Still haven't heard from big-competition-that-other-people-already-heard-no's-from.
-Still haven't heard from mother-land-opera audition, but they DID tell me they are setting something up for me in an email..so I guess I have heard.

In translating my materials and cover letter news, there is none. I have made extremely little progress, and I'm still getting mixed information about what and how to send things.
Email?
Snail Mail and then follow up with email?
Faxes?
One page resume?
Resume/BioANDpicture on the same page?
Do or don't send attachments by email?

I mean, seriously--I just want to send emails. It's the easiest and cheapest and hopefully it'll be professional and correct enough to get some responses about singing for houses and agents while I'm there.

In other crazy-schedule news it's not like I'm hoping NOT to get to the finals or semi-finals of two major European competitions, but they DO take place during the first and second week of my supposed studies in Germany. What to do?
Well, hope that I place, of course! And if I have to miss a week of class, I'll just have to hope that they don't want to kick me out and it's ok.

In OTHER most upcoming crazy-schedule news, I got my times for 2 nyc competitions in May, and thankfully, one is on Thursday, the other Friday, and the finals for both (If I make it) are also a day apart.

That means once I leave and drive across country I'll have 3 days to get there, get unpacked, turn around and get to NYC with dresses and heels and ready to "compete" and then the whirlwind really begins!

For now, trying to clear what's left of my mattress off so that it can be picked up tomorrow morning.

Bye bye things!

noon in bed

We've been getting home close to midnight for the past 3 days, with two runs of the show--meaning I'm at the theater for about 12 hours each day. Of course when I get home even though I'm exhausted, I'm also hungry. So I guess eating the 2nd half of that cheeseburger from my 5pm dinner didn't really help me with nodding off to sleep so easily. I've been up untnil 3am or 4am the past two nights, and thankfully only having to get out of bed around 11 or 12.
But STILL I'm waking up at ungodly hours like 8am and 9am, looking over at the clock, and then rolling over in dismay that something (like the SUN) woke me up.

The show is going well, but these sets and costumes are really old and you can definitely tell. This is not opulent, extravagant, or even dare I say--pretty... It's just a little drab. And we have to make up for it by being extra good and exciting on stage I think.


Next topic. Future things.

I did something a little "ballsy" again in terms of singer practices of making contacts.
Ok, so previous-coach-at-curret-program who has offered to forward my materials to certain-person-at-red-state-opera-co, has done so. And I know this person at the opera company probably gets materials like this all the time. It's solicited, but still a bit random. So what are the odds they'll get around to looking at my mats? Well, who knows. But I still took the Initiative (ballsy initiative) and wrote this person an email encompassing all of the possible questions that I have regarding their company and their season, in a VERY well put together way.

I asked if I could audition live.
I asked if they hire out covers for their season (since they're doing a HECK of a season for coloratura ish type voice hext year)
I asked if they hire covers FROM the young artist program (and also said I'm very interested in that and I've never sung for it,but hope to have the opportunity to do so in the future)
and I asked if I could have feedback about my recording.

All very proper, not too forward, and not too apologetic.

Hey. Who ELSE is going to do this for me if I dont?
If this person chooses to write me back with some comments- great.
If this person chooses to write me back and say no, I can't give you any responses, and I also haven't listened to your materials--at least I asked.
If this person DOESN"T write back at all- I'll hope that I had the right email for them, but also be kind of annoyed because, people, we ALL check our email. EVERY day. Don't play. and Don't Hate. Just write back.

We know that you know that we know you check your email.

at the theater

Yeeaaaahhh! The internet connection works at the theater. So I've been here since 2:30.
I sang my aria at 3:45. I sang the finale at 4:15. Then I did nothing (ate dinner, got a chocolate covered rice crispy treat) and now it's 7:30. The show started at 7. I'm sitting here and waiting for my hair/makeup call which is in 15 minutes, even though I don't even come close to entering the stage until...oh...9:15 or so. And that's not including the break I'm sure we'll take around 9.

In the meantime I've been listening to 2 recent recordings nonstop trying to figure out which is better, and if either one is worthy of being sent somewhere.

Recording A is in too live of a room. Live enough that it may be a distraction. But the aria is better sung (I think) with a longer line and a bit more thought.
Recording B is in a totally dead room. And the piano is still a bit loud, but not overpresent. It's accurate, on pitch, but I was doing a few artistic diminuendoes and hairpins that MAY translate into someone hearing it and thinking that I ran out of breath at the end of the line or I"m being too precious with it.

Pitch wise they are both "kinda" fine. I mean---nothing glaringly wrong, just things that could have been tweaked were this a professional recording (you know it's done, so whatevs), and things that go by quickly that had I been singing this aria for the past 5 years like most of my other pieces, wouldn't be issues. But I basically re-learned it just to record it for one purpose.

I'm not sure frankly if either one is usable. The more I listen the more I pick out things that could be better (the 100th time I sing it)...rather than the 6th time.

On the German front I'm attempting to translate (pathetically, a bit) my resume into German for the summer.
I don't feel like I have to list the titles in German- ie, Nozze is still Nozze not Die Hochzeit..since they'll know it by the Italian title hopefully. But things like "Director, Production, Coach", etc-- and my kind of bio-- should really attempt to be in German before I send any emails and people presume I'm too lazy or something else to have my materials in German.

That's it for now. Too many things going on to concentrate--itunes in my ears, the system broadcasting Act I, and people wandering around.