travel

A volcano has just erupted in Iceland again, but so far that has not put a wrench in any of my upcoming travel plans.
These next two and a half weeks are BUSY.
Trains, planes, automobiles.
I do have to say that I'm getting more and more annoyed with air travel recently.
You just CAN NOT find a deal anymore-- on a flight. Anytime. Anywhere.
Maybe if you're flying in the US and you get those last minute weekend deals to vacation destinations like Miami or Las Vegas, yes..but if you have to go somewhere for business/audition purposes...forget it.

I consider myself QUITE web-savvy, and this time around I was having so much trouble.
Well, I did have specific time and day limitations, and I was JUST about to throw in the towel and pay 230 euros for an eight hour TRAIN ride, when I found (for 60 Euros more) a flight.

Ugh. And again...ugh.
Yes, yes, I can afford it. But it just hurts my SOUL that tickets are this expensive for a one hour flight that SHOULD be direct on the hour every hour, but somehow...is not.

And the funny thing is, the flight is at 4:15, I arrive an hour and a few minutes later, have to take ANOTHER train to get to the city center and then find my hotel, and with arriving at the airport early-- it's about 5.5 hours of travel-- almost the same as that 8 hour train I could have taken with no stops, one seat, no take-off and landing (the parts I hate), no snippy airline staff, lines, paying for food...etc.etc.
Whatever. I've made my decision..now let's just hope the cloud of volcanic ash doesn't drift over here in 2 days.

motivation part 2

I practiced for 35 minutes!
Yes, I'm congratulating myself on my own blog for doing what I'm supposed to do almost every day.
But I SO didn't feel like it today, as noted below. And then all of a sudden, the sun began to shine, the birds began to sing, I could turn the HEAT off and open the windows (yes it's May), and so- I warmed up briefly, sang through 3 audition arias, and felt good about the day again.

motivation..

So remember that time when I moved my butt for five days in a row?
Suddenly a magical thing called the WEEKEND happened, and I was having none of it.
On Saturday nigh we watched the Eurovision contest finals and I basically cringed and yelled at the screen the entire time (except when ITALY was singing their awesome jazz song). Yes, I ate cookies and potato chips. But also lots of veggies and a LITTLE bit of dip!
Sunday I went to the opera to see a colleague perform...and then ate the largest plate of MEAT served over FRIES with a side of kraut salad. (It was called a doener plate, but I wasn't really expecting it to be an actual plate of spiced shaved lamb meat...it was amaaazing).

Yesterday I rode my bike to the city and back ! Does that count? It's not the usual 50 minutes, but it was about...35...
And Today I rode through the city at a leisurely pace for about 40 minutes as well.
It wasn't my INTENTION to actually get on my bike and ride for fitness, but I ended up doing it anyway since I had to be out and about.

Thing is, I've been kind of exhausted for the past 4-5 days.
I hope it's not my thyroid acting up again (which it very well could be, which means I should get a blood test done and see whether I need to up my meds).
It got colder again, so yes, that's once reason to want to stay in bed all day...
but actually, it's HARD for me to get out of bed again and I always feel tired, cold, and want to just get in bed.
Right NOW as I write this, I'm in bed, it's 2pm, the keyboard is on the bed and so is my Ariadne score...and I have done about 25 minutes worth of banging out some notes and rhythms in the "Opera" act....and I feel like I could fall back asleep (um, yea, I also only got out of bed at noon...well, I was UP and ABOUT (dentist appt) from 7am-9am, then back in BED from 10-12ish...
So, yea, I'm thinking I should check the thyroid thing.

Darn.

Naptime maybe?

5 days down

Rrrrreallly didn't feel like it because I had a generally craptastic day yesterday, but I went walking for about 40 minutes anyway. Didn't practice though.

Today I got it together, practiced for an hour and a half (first half of Ariadne and I are becoming better friends, not besties yet), did 45 min. of yoga (online vid) and then 45 min. of biking through the woods.

Nothing like bugs flying into your face at dusk while you're trying to take in the fresh woodsy air--then quickly realizing that if you breathe through your mouth you are probably eating said bugs.

Whatever.

I moved my butt for 5 days in a row.

I deserve some chocolate or something now, right?

sweatin' to Strauss

Sweatin' to Strauss on my ipod while: biking 20km yesterday in total (went for an evening ride as well), doing another 30 minutes of yoga video, and generally eating well again (except for one piece of chocolate!),...ok, two.

I think I actually learn things more subconsciously when I am concentrating on something else, like fitness, and also happen to have a score open, or itunes on...and of course I'm not being an active listener for any purpose-- I just like things running through my head as I do it..and if anything sticks, great.

So I'm starting a new label, XorSize, because that is what I HOPE to be doing every day now.

Not for weight loss or anything...just to feel good in the summer and be healthy.
And I'm not going to have any kind of Project associated with it.
Will just check in here and list what I've done once in a while, even though I'm keeping a 'word' document of what I'm doing and what I'm eating anyway.

So ... no goals, just do it.

Today so far: 30 min. video with weights (via youtube). Done.
Later: possible swimming depending on the weather.

Practice yesterday- audition arias for 1 hour...while preparing dinner in the kitchen (with stopping the chopping of veggies to blow in the pitch pipe and make sure I'm still right).

Today- it's quiet hours now so I have to wait until 4, but I'll probably do some Strauss.

SIS

selllffff impoooooosed stuuuuuudy.

Yesterday: 1.5 hours. NICE
Today: haven't sung YET, but as SOON as I finish watching this 30 minute overtime60Minutes interview w/Obama, I will warm up. Really.

In BETTER HEALTH NEWS that may only last a few days yet again-
I took a 50 min. bike ride through the Wald yesterday morning and a 30 minute evening walk around my hood in the evening.
And ate well!
And today so far I've ridden 30 min. (ok, it was to the city and back to have BRUNCH which included bread and butter, but still!), and then 45 min. of yoga video at home.
Still to come- maybe swimming tonight!

evil queens

Aaaand for the 2nd performance in a row I have made a small child get UP from their cushioned seat on the floor, tears in the their eyes, and run to their mother or father in the rows behind them.

According to my director my intensity is a "great success" (a la borat voice), and it has never happened in the 5 years they've been doing this performance for kids.

She's super happy about it.
I'm a little perturbed!

And then in the 'autograph' session they all look at me like I'm evil and ask why I'm so "boese?!?!?!"
And I have to say it's only AUF DER BUEHNE!

tired...

woke up at 4am this morning.
for no apparent reason.
could not get back to sleep AT ALL.
not even SLIGHTLY tired, except my body was exhausted but my mind was racing. ??
Then the birds started squawking at 5am. Then I heard some trucks, the light came streaming through the blinds...and...all hope of sleep was lost...
Turned on the tv for a few minutes around 7.
Rolled out of bed at 8:30.
To the theater by 9 *that's a.m.
Warming up for Queen and in costume/makeup by 10.
All went well, but I'm TIRED
and am SO glad for the entire day off tomorrow.

learning other things while rehearsing

Usually I have very little 'extra concentration cells' left in my brain to be thinking about other upcoming roles, but, seeing as how this is Queen (again), and although the dialogue is new, the rest of the show obviously isn't, I HAVE had one practice room session (one hour) where I banged out some of the first act of Zerbie.
The 2nd act is memorized and already performed. Except for like 3 lines of 'recit-y' stuff before the first quintet begins, and that final line of the entire opera.

I was working on the 'recit-y' stuff in the first act and it's going surprisingly well and getting into my head FAST.
Is this going to be one of those things that I learn through magical memory fairies?
Well, I can say for sure that the ARIA (when I learned it as a young'n) was NOT. I banged out those notes EVERY.DAY.
Rehearsed the coloratura, made sure it was pitch perfect every time, and now, it's like a walk in the park.

What I don't really get is this big 'change' from the first act duet/aria to the 2nd act's 'antics'.
The talk-y stuff, fine..Zerb has that a lot, and you just have to make sure you are saying it on the right beat but that it ALSO has textual meaning...textual...hahaha...moving on.

But the Ein Augenblick stuff...it just doesn't FIT her, or does it?
Is THAT the real her? Or is it the coquette?
Or is it that every woman has MANY emotions and parts that at times can define her and at time can leave her suitors speechless?

At any rate, I'm not there yet- at the same place where the aria is for me, where I 'get' it, and every and all parts of it I can embody.
Where I am right NOW is the counting and trying to figure out whether I should think of it in 6 first or whether that will trip me up later on when I have to 'release' it into 2 or 3.

In addition to which I also have to learn Najade at the same time...Why do those first 2 pages have to be in such a horrible key on the piano? Not to mention the Ein Gotttttt part when Bacchus is arriving-- I HATE when the entire key signature is sharps!
REALLY? I mean, REALLY? I'm sure it would sound JUST as SUPER cool if we moved UP a half step or DOWN a half step and everything was 'normal' again...
plus, then I could accompany myself and make sure I'm singing the right notes!
Thanks#Strauss!

re-rehearsal day 1

It's Queenie time again...
This is the 4th 'blocking' of the show that I've had just THIS SEASON!
Only this time I'm also being 'inserted' in a previous production that has been done for the past 6 years.
So the first rehearsal was mine all mine.
No break for another scene to go back and sneak a peek at the 'new yet old yet almost the same but not really the same as before' Queen dialogue (ever-annoying, that).
Just me.
One hour alone.
Director.
Dialogue.
Staging.
Auf Deutsch.

And it went really well!
What I have to remember for THIS time around- the Queen is not SAD at all. In previous-production-that-i-sang-last-week she is SAD because her daughter has been abducted, and though she is also a bit angry at P, she is mostly sad that her power is lost and now her daughter is too.
But in this one- It's MOM for a second, but then NO. QUEEN. No sadness.
All about lost power and revenge...
and that kid better do it, OR ELSE.

One thing I DON"T have this week is internet in my apartment (I'm staying in an 'opera owned apt. which is nice and clean and small and has no internet).
So I'm sitting in Starbucks for my 2 free hours (paid for by one cup of chamomile tea for Eur1.90), and then I'll find some lunch, hang out in the apt. for a while, and go back to rehearsal tonight.

Probably won't get to check my email later unless I come back here (schade), but I'm really trying to make it a once-a-day thing...
I really am on the interwebs all.the.time.

I can survive without it ! Yes! I can!

qotn # ... a lot

Last night (Easter Sunday) I had yet another performance of Queen...at the first theater that I was hired to sing it...in 2009.
It's kind of cool to be able to say that I've been Guesting somewhere for that long. Even though it hasn't been so many performances, it's definitely the most performances of one production that I've ever sung (ie, the same production). Obviously Koenigin wins for most performed role as well.

Last night we had an einspringer Pamina, 3 lady, new Tamino to the role (he had sung it twice before), einspringer 2nd lady who had done it with us before a few times, and a papagena who took over the role in November (and was new to me).

And everything worked like clockwork. The einspringers were working off of a dvd and about one hour of a stage-walkthrough of their blocking (which is NOT 'normal' Zauberfloete staging), the asked a few questions in the dressing room about when I say this, when we go out there and that happens, and then...we were off.

I do have to say, yet again, that working on one continuous show really takes any and all pressure off, and I am just free to be the artist I WANT to be onstage.
It's not about the review, about impressing the theater for next season, about impressing the conductor since this is one of four times that I'll work with him live onstage (as in the US), not about whether my agents are there, whether OTHER people's agents are there, whether OTHER general directors are there to check out the production for a possible future rental (and therefore a possible future hiring of certain members of the cast), not about making sure I 'earn' my nightly paycheck for my four performances, it's not really about ANYTHING except for the ART.
And that feels amazing.

I sang my two arias, the quintet, bowed (too many times..this house REALLY liked to send us out on curtain calls)...but throughout the ovations I received perhaps some of my strongest applause yet-- and that just goes to show, when you can do your JOB and not have to worry about all of the other BS (and by bs I mean both BS AND "business of singing"...which, yes, I'm great at, but no, I don't want to be thinking about while in a performance), I feel more connected to the art that is music-making.

home sweet home

It's good to be home :)
The last show was probably the best one that we all sang. It always happens like that-- when you only have 4 shows, somehow, even when the last one is a matinee.
My flight was uneventful although I was kind of annoyed that we didn't have the touch screen tvs where you can watch one zillion movies the entire time. Instead, we had individual tvs, but the movies only played and synced up every 2 hours...I know, it's petty and shouldn't really matter, but on a nine and a half hour flight when you are not tired at all and don't feel like reading or sleeping, it makes a difference.

My next show is in FOUR DAYS! whaaaat? Hope I remember what I'm supposed to be doing! Last time I sang it was in...November? December? Who knows.

I get to enjoy the sunny weather and learn two new roles the entire summer, in addition to making sure my competition rep is in order since I'll be in WIEN for the Belvedere competition at the end of June.

For now, relaxing, not-really-unpacking, and enjoying two or three days completely off before starting to get back in the swing of things.

show #3 and onward

In a few hours I'll be heading to an early dinner with out-of-town friends/donors who have followed me to many of my shows around the country.
Then, to my dressing room for my hair and makeup call 40 minutes before the show, and then show 3.
But it doesn't end there! Tomorrow morning I'll be waking up extra early (ok, extra early for the day after a show), driving for 3 hours to sing for the qualifying round of a competition, doing a photoshoot (new headshots/publicity shots), driving BACK 3 hours, and then singing a matinee on Sunday.
And THEN- HOME ON MONDAY/TUESDAY!

Things:
1. I'm pretty sure my suitcase is going to be over 50 pounds. Have the scale in the room, but haven't finished cramming everything into the suitcase yet (INCLUDING A BLENDER. And FLOUR. DON"T ASK)...so...yea....that should be a fun activity on Sunday night.

2. I have to start eating NO BREAD soon- which shouldn't be hard because of Passover for the first 8 days...but in addition to that, I am 'up' five and a half pounds.
This is like, pre-Germany, pre-wedding, pre-this entire year and a half weight...
And I chalk it up to fried chicken, ice cream, happy hours at previous-hotel and basically eating anything I've wanted to for the past 2 gigs...and not doing enough exercise to balance it out...OOOPS! Time to stop that behavior. No resolutions will be listed here, but ... it's gotta go.

3. Better/awesome review came out today.

4. I just had that fleeting thought about what is coming up. Actually, I almost have the whole summer 'off' starting in June...which I do like (so I can make sure I absolutely rock at 2 upcoming roles), and I'm 'booked' for the fall and early winter...but it needs to start getting more busy. I don't know when or how that will happen, but here's hoping the magic fairies make it happen somehow.

show #2 and about reviews

Tonight went really really well again! I think since we all had a few days off everyone was SUPER aware of entrances and timing and the like. I, for one, found myself 'fast forwarding' my head...after every time I finished singing, I had a split second of, omg what comes next when I come in next time?
That lasted for about the first 10 minutes of act I, and then I was ok for the rest of the show.
It felt fresh and exciting tonight...a bit more settled, as the 2nd show usually tends to be.
Now we have a Friday which will hopefully draw a bigger crowd, and a Sunday matinee-- which, even though it's a matinee and no one particularly loves those mid-afternoon performances, we will all be excited for anyway since it's the LAST ONE.

Such a big difference between doing 4 performances in the US and 12-30 in Europe.
The 'pressure' is on, you could say.

Now to reviews---
It would be nice to get a review from someone who KNOWS how to use musical vocabulary correctly.
As soon as a writer begins to postulate about Norina being a soubrette role (as reported in the NYTimes this week), I mostly stop paying attention.
No matter what, it's an opinion...and even though MANY people do know what they are talking about...JUST as many...don't. I mean, yes, they can have a feeling of liking or not liking someone as a character.
They can comment on whether the characters are believable. On whether the sets/costume/design worked. Tempi of the orchestra..balance, ...Even on whether they LIKED the opera...
But as soon as you get some choice adjectives to describe the voice that just don't make sense...I just wonder why they even went there and also, what they MEANT!
Soaring coloratura? check..lyrically thin? Are you talking about DICTION? The WORDS that the composer made me sing? What lyric? Lyric LINES? I never even have lyric singing! I ONLY have coloratura!?
Ok, I just googled "lyrically thin"...and every time it shows up in a review, it's talking about the words (text) that the character had to sing or speak...NOT the VOCAL quality of the character..so, yea..now I feel like THAT's what you meant, except that it SEEMS like you say my VOICE is thin, lyrically. Which would SEEM like not that positive of a thing to say..except that you say it right after SOARING COLORATURA!!!

You got some 'splainin' to do please...

day of the show x2

Yayyyy! Day of the show part deux...
First of all, I was kind of annoyed for the past 2 days..because..
Sunday night we had a huge rain and windstorm here, and on Monday I was supposed to drive to an audition about 3 hours away. I woke up at 7am, got on the road by 8am...and all the time I was vocalizing just a bit in the shower and in the car, it did not feel EASY or GOOD.
This is a first warning sign that something is wrong.
My nose was totally clear, I didn't have any gross phlegm or anything nasty...I just felt bone dry. Accessing my top in a light headvoice was barely possible, and the only way I could sing a high F was to 'muscle' it out..which, in emergencies for performance I would say is acceptable if you HAVE to get through it, but..this was an audition...followed still by 3 more opera performances, and.. it just was not worth it to drive for so long and know that I wouldn't feel my best.
I called my manager at a gas station about 1 hour away and asked if there was any chance of rescheduling.
A few phone calls and texts later-- there was.
And so, I made my way back, knowing that whatever allergic reaction I was having for the day would not make me possibly blow out my voice for that day.
The rest of Monday- quiet, water, bananas, and also went to see the ENT that the opera company recommends.
I haven't been to one since 2009, and I needed to make sure there was nothing going on BESIDES allergies.
He took a look at the vocal cords and said everything was dandy (and I saw it on video), except that I did have some redness on the outside tissue...could be an acute allergic reaction to something, or some reflux..
well, I've been PRETTY careful about reflux which I have not had a serious problem with in over 10 years...so I will chalk it up to whatever was blowin' in the wind that night of the storm.
Tuesday I felt way better, even went to a bikram class, had sushi for early dinner, chinese for '2nd dinner', woke up today..and since it's 10:30am I still don't know about how awesome my voice may or may not feel, but it doesn't feel crazy dry like before, which is a good sign.

Before the show today I am thinking about another Bikram class (at noon)...simply because I forgot how good it makes me feel.
Relaxed, rested, stretched out in all the places that need expansion...and calm...
(before the "storm"!)

opening night

Last night was SO much fun.
I have worked really hard on this piece and it has definitely been a challenge to learn, but after our performance last night I can say that this has really been an enlightening and enriching experience.
I had fun, and so did everyone else onstage.
I think the audience really appreciated it, and most importantly- my family and friends were there (some to see an opera for the first time) and they LOVED it.

I have a few days off now, have said goodbye to everyone at the airport for the 6am, 10am and noon flights home, and now...it's relaxing in this gorgeous weather, saving it all up for my AUDITION tomorrow (3 hour drive away), and then our next performances during the week and next weekend.

Not much to say except that it's been a wild ride and if the next shows can be like this or better I'll be very pleased.

sitzprobe

ahhh- feels so good to sing this from stage, with full orchestra.
A bunch of places are MORE clear, a few places are LESS clear (don't hear the instruments as well as the piano banging out my entrances or the correct rhythms, etc)...but in general, I think it went really well. This music is TOUGH for the orchestra, (and the singers, obvie), but I think we will all pull it together for a great show!
ONE MORE SLEEP until he's HERE!

final room run

Everything went really really well last night...
I think I only made three mistakes which NO ONE would know about (counting), except for, of course, the composer- who happened to be sitting 15 feet away from me.
Tomorrow is our sitzprobe, and then we're off- tech, piano dress, orchestra dress, opening!

A very special guest is arriving from very far away this week...and so I'm planning major 'Texas cowboy' activities during the DAYS (before my evening dress rehearsals).
I am assuming that since the actual sing isn't that tough that I'll be fine for the rehearsals at night...although my backside might be sore from trail-riding, hiking, jumping into waterfalls and playing cowboys and indians ;)

blocked

Hurray! The whole show has been blocked in the rehearsal room.
Double hurray because today I made ZERO mistakes in counting my crazy entrances and interjections for the entirety of Act II-- although Act III coming up tonight for review still have a few metered measures that could cause mayhem...so here's hoping it all just keeps going smoothly.
I'd say fingers crossed- except that I use them to count. All the time.

Umm, seriously, I have come home from rehearsal EVERY night to do 'homework' which is review counting. And as such, I have found that I am sleeping badly, my eyelid has been twitching since last night, and I'm generally on-edge...
Simply because I feel like I can't relax yet.

Interestingly enough, it has not been a 'review the blocking in my head before bed' kind of show...(which, usually, that's the ONLY thing I have to worry about...ie, the singing, the right notes, rhythms, pitches, etc are already there easily).
The notes are 'normal', it's just their insane placement - ie, come in on the 3.5 beat of an 11/8 measure, followed by an entrance at 1.5 of a 6/8 bar - that is making me double and triple check my score every night and every morning.

And if you think you can just 'hear it' in the music...um, yea, No.
There are no clues to your entrance and no clues to your melody line in its own 'special' meter (in contrast to the other 9 singers who have other stuff going on at the same time).

I have worked on contemporary music before and have honestly never been this challenged. Even with crazy-current-piece-that-i-love-and-one-day-want-to-sing which has CRAZY and I mean CRAZY note clusters that SEEM to make no sense and rhythms that are all over the place, arpeggios that change by one note or one minor or one sharp or some displacement... EVEN that piece is a piece of CAKE compared to this.

ONE WEEK and a few days until opening. And although my 'execution' of the role is accurate and correct right now, it would really be nice if I could take a deep breath and RELAX at some point before opening night.
That, or grow 17 more fingers on my hands so I can count better.

blog much?

Yes, I've been THAT busy.
In a good way.
The way that this show is being staged (in order, thank goodness) requires all of the 10 person cast to be there at pretty much all times. Even if you're not singing for 10 pages, you're still on stage doing something- whether that mirrors what is going on, or is your own wordless and note-less story to tell.
That means I've had two rehearsal blocks filled every day (either 10am-6pm or 2pm-10pm), and mostly my time spent NOT in rehearsal has been spent reviewing music and double, triple, quadruple checking that I know my 'counts', that is, the count that I come in on for my entrance, how many beats are in between that and my next interjection, and so on and so forth.

This show is not a vocally challenging sing at.all.
Yes, there is a high F, a bunch of Es, some awesome crazy coloratura and even a long sweeping arc of sustained high legato...but the main challenge is rhythm, and the fact that the meter is changing every other measure. And you can't really 'hear' it in the orchestra below you. So you just have to 'know' (ie, count).
I'm hoping that by opening night I will 'feel' some things more rather than have to move my fingers really fast against whatever part of the stage or part of my body they happen to be leaning.

Other than that, it's a piece of cake! The cast is very nice, we all take lunch breaks mostly together (including trying out the over 100 flavors of snow cones that are sold next door), and last night we had a post-rehearsal margarita chips 'n dip kind of evening to unwind.

Now is my day off- the next one will be ONE day before our sitz and into the final week of tech.

Um, less than two weeks til opening?
Wow.
We've staged act I and II. Three will be done in the next two days. And then it's run-throughs.
Giddy-up.

day 1 of school

WOW I had a long day today.
After a long flight yesterday.

I'm totally exhausted and jet-lagged (it's 4:40 am 'my time' and only 10:40pm here)...
but here are some tidbits from the last 24 hours.

A. make sure you know whether you will have to go through customs in the FIRST airport (the transit stop before the final destination), and whether you will have to WAIT for your checked bag to come out, collect it, re-check it, go through SECURITY AGAIN!!!! (because of that knife you picked up while you were on the FIRST plane for 9 hours)...and do that all within a one hour period of time before your connecting flight leaves. Check.

B. If the above occurs and you should happen to be sitting in the LAST row of the airplane (my total bad for not requesting to be booked on Delta for this flight, where I have many miles to prevent such horrible seat assignments), find a nice looking stewardess and ask if there are ANY free seats toward the front of the plane that you can sit in for the last 30 minutes before landing so that you can SPRINT off of the plane and through said lines.

C. Why did a small, un-chilled Naked Juice drink cost 4.99 at the airport?

D. It is SO much better to stay in a HOUSE with FAMILY for a month than in a hotel.
Full kitchen, awesome people, free wireless that does not kick you off at the hotel, dogs to play with, bikes to borrow, and generally a more relaxed and home-y feeling. Love.

OK and now to the first day of rehearsal!!!!!!!
Very quickly- it will be awesome.
I mean- super awesome.
The singers are all great, and the productions sounds super cool.

Thankfully even though this music HAS been absolutely challenging to learn, I feel PRETTY comfortable after our first musical rehearsal today. There was one section that I had to re-do twice before I got it right because of a different conducting pattern than the beats that I had learned it.
I also learned that I will be on stage the ENTIRE opera...even though I don't sing a lot of the ensembles, I just comment on them physically.
Soooo-- yea, there will be no knitting backstage. Or chocolate-eating for that matter.

And now, sleep.

leavin' on a jet plane...

Haven't finished packing...but spending an evening with our neighbors drinking wine and eating dessert sounds like a good method of procrastination.

class

Here in Deutschland I've been using the DeutscheBahn (dbahn) train system for the past two years for most of my travel throughout the country and to Austria, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, etc- for auditions, vacations, visiting friends. I've had two or three semi-horror stories...that one time we got stuck on a track because an animal (thankfully not a PERSON) got run over by the train, and we just.sat.there for three and a half hours (I arrived in switzerland at 2am the night before my audition)., that other time where I stood for 5 and a half hours between brussels and frankfurt (no seats except the suitcases you were sitting on in the aisles) because of the 2009 december snow storms.

Generally, I'm pretty satisfied. I'm always on ICE trains (the fast, clean, did I mention FAST trains?), and I get where I need to go without much hassle.

Anyway, yesterday my only train option for an audition that was 5 hours away was an EC train, followed by the last hour with ICE.

LET me just describe to you the difference between 2nd class travel on the ICE and 2nd class travel on an EC.
LET me describe it to you in a SMELL:
(warning, do not read on if you are faint of...heart/smell/language, etc)

..
..
..

..

..

..

Cold Cuts and Garlicky Farts.


I kid you not.
for 4 hours.
That is all.

0%

I'm pretty sure my productivity peaked at a whopping zero today.
Sure, I listened to a recording. Twice, actually.
But without the score open, it's pretty much a free-for-all of overlapping lines and notes which makes it pretty hard to 'make sure' that I'm right with my memorization.
Ah well, there is always tomorrow.
And the two 5 hour train rides that I have on Thursday.
Yes, two of them.
On the same day. Beginning at 6am.

the tax man cometh

Submitted this morning to my accountant who will hopefully make some magic happen.

Deductions for artists, fyi:
Advertising & Promotions Anything for Promotion of Bus.
Total Miles Driven All Miles on your Vehicle
Business Miles Driven Business Miles on your Vehicle
Auto Expenses Gas, Maintenance, Insurance
Commissions and Fees
Subcontractors/Labor Any Labor You Paid Out
Equipment Purchases (List on Next Page)
Business Insurance
Business Interest Business Loans (incl. Auto)
Legal and Accounting
Office and Postage
Business Rent Rent for Office or Practice Space
Equipment Rental Includes Car Rentals and Equip.
Supplies Any small items needed for Bus.
Equipment Repairs
Travel Airfare, Lodging--Not Food or Auto
Meals and Entertainment In Town Business Meals with Others
Meals and Entertainment Out of Town All Meals on Bus. Travel
Days Out of Town (Meal Per Diem) List Locations and # of Days Sep.
Sales Tax Collected Only if you Charge Sales Tax
Bank Charges On Business Accounts
Dues and Subscriptions Memberships, Magazines, Etc.
Research and Development Books, Classes, Activities in Your Field
Cell Phone Only your Plan, Not Extra Minutes
Business Phone Extra Business Line--NOT 1st Home Line
Internet
Computer Software
Printing and Film Processing For Business Photos
Parking
Health Insurance Paid
Costumes and Props (Performers) Things for Stage Only
Personal Maintenance (Performers) Direct Costs for Performance Image
Retirement Account Contributions What Kind? Trad IRA, Roth, SEP, 401K?
Health Savings Account Contributions Must have High Deductible Health Ins.
Business Gifts Limited to $25 per person

one week

In one week I'll have my first musical rehearsal for the piece.
Wheee :)
Feeling good still, haven't even THOUGHT about packing.
What I HAVE been thinking about are my taxes (and ALMOST have all of the info. that I need to send my taxman). Here's the thing.
I consider myself an intelligent person.
And then I take it ALL back when I go on the irs.gov website.
WHAT kind of people are writing this stuff?
You say one thing CLEARLY and then the next paragraph takes it all back with exceptions.
What's THAT about?
I mean, even if I tried to do my OWN taxes (which I would never DARE since I'd most likely get audited in about five seconds), I couldn't figure this stuff out!
As a HUMAN and an INTELLECTUAL PERSON I actually WOULD really like to understand this stuff. For my own well-being and education.
But right now, I just don't want to deal with it.
I have tallied up all of my deductions.
I know how much I earned.
And hopefully somewhere between line 40a and 107c on all of the forms I have to fill out, I won't have to pay through the nose...even though I did have to pay a bunch last year.
Harumph.

I won't get all political and say where I'd LIKE my money to go to-- but the thing is, it's PROBABLY going to go toward the defense budget, and NOT toward paying the people who should be paid the MOST in this country- teachers.

oh snap!!

I LOVE this feeling.
Let me tell you about it.
It's the feeling of FIRST mildly freaking out because I have two weeks until my next gig and I'm not SO sure that I know all the music as perfectly memorized in my head as I want to which is usually the case when I'm working on another show and not paying attention to the NEXT one except that this NEXT one is a brand new one, and modern and not 'hard' per se, but hard enough that I have to constantly think about counts and weird arpeggios that I have to enter on some offbeat in the middle of a 16/8 bar...(yes this is a run-on sentence, deal with it)...and THEN it's the feeling of NOW, having looked at Act III yesterday for about an hour, having already known that I know act I, and having looked at Act II tonight for about an hour...feeling like- WHAT was I WORRIED about?
THIS IS EASY!
It's the feeling of CLICK- it's there!
Magic!
I didn't even have to do anything! Well, except drill and practice and listen and think about before I go to sleep and while I'm walking to the post office and the grocery store.
But it's that GOOD feeling.
That feeling that this is two weeks away and eeeeverything will be juuuuust fine.
I might not even bring the score in my carry-on to the plane, THAT's how good I feel about it.
When it clicks, it clicks. I don't question it, I just go with it.

Sometimes singers ask me about my 'process'...(ok, like, TWO times they asked me) and it's always one of two answers.
I either broke it down FROM the beginning. Word by word. pitch by pitch. rhythm by rhythm phrase by phrase page by page, scene, act, until every day, memorizing one piece, learning another piece, starting breakdown work on another piece...until I knew I had it all.
OR--
I barely practice it, I KIND of test myself before I have to be at the gig, and it's MAGICALLY there in my head-- memorized and ALL. Ready to go.
I don't know why or how this happens. I mean, obviously I DO spend enough time with it for things to sink in.
But it's not the daily- page 1,2,3, etc. type of 'studied' approach as my other approach.
It's more like- ehh..let's listen to Act I on my ipod even though this chick sings 4 entrances wrong and changes a few pitches.
And then it's like- the score is in front of me, but so is facebook.
And then it's kind of like- gee, I hope I know this...the gig starts next week.
And then it's like- someone better invent some kind memory injection or osmosis drug because the score has been open to page 143 for the past 20 minutes and I've been watching Sky News about Libya instead of counting.

And in the end, I'm always super prepared and having FUN in the first musical sing-through instead of holding on to the score for dear life before the director rips it out of our clammy hands in the first staging rehearsal....

FUN.
Just under two weeks until the first musical rehearsal.

progress

Ok, Act I is totally memorized no mistakes on any fast rhythms or random interjections on the count of 15 eee and uh out of 18.
Act III is ALMOST the same with the exception of a few pages where the ensemble of 8 is basically one eighth note off (staggered, but we all have about the same melody or something similar), and if you miss a beat, you're now doubling someone instead of singing the right line.
Act II is my project for this evening.
Some crazy arpeggio type articulations interspersed to the counting of:
123/123/123/1234 at the speed of light, of which I'm pretty certain the conductor WON'T be breaking the beating down as much as I'd like, so I have to find the arc and hopefully hear where I fit into it.
And, go.

the dotted line

No, nothing is signed yet, but in the past three days my schedule has filled up considerably- in a good way.
In the meantime, I have 15 more days until I depart for next-opera, and while I am feeling good about the score and my preparation, it's not perfect yet. And that is simply because it's freakin' impossible to count or play along AND sing it to 'practice' and see if I have it memorized.
It goes something like....
6/8, 16/8, 12/8, 3/4, 4/4, 3/4, 4/4, 2/4, 16/8...
In the span of about 5 pages, at speeds of "stormy", "a little faster than before", "gradually getting more intense", "Urgently", "Ominous" and "FASTER".

Back to counting entrances. The thing is, the music is so easy- ie, the actual notes. It's literally the speed and changing meter that could drive someone batty. Those orchestra folks who get to actually LOOK at the music while they're playing are LUCKY in this case. It's not hard at ALL when you know the changes and can see them happening in the score. It's a whole different story when attempting to pull it out of your brain at warp speed.

home sweet jet lag

The past 4 days went something like this:
Night after the last matinee (which was awesome, BTW): was already packed but was so excited to leave I didn't fall asleep until 4am.
Woke up at 8am the next day, left for the airport at 9:30am.
Flight #1- kind of slept.
Flight #2- didn't sleep at all (movies plus a LOT of turbulence).
Landing at home at 7am "home" time- meaning, I felt like 2am but it was the morning.
Proceeded to stay in bed most of the day. No unpacking, no eating until 10pm.
Next day: slept until 2pm.
That night: fell asleep watching a soccer game from 9-10:30pm then didn't sleep AT ALL from midnight to 6am...
6am (today) being the time I had to wake up to take a THREE and a half hour train to my audition.
Today. Yea, did I mention that no sleep part? And the WIDE AWAKE on the train part too?

I was fully expecting to doze off on the train and catch up, but no such luck.
Got to the audition city way early, had a tea at starbucks, checked in, warmed up for about 10 minutes, saw the accompanist for about 10 minutes (YAY YOU CAN PLAY ZERBINETTA!), and then- the audition.

There were three of us today. All Queens.
First singer started with Der hoelle rache. Then they asked for the first aria.
Second singer started with an Italian. Then they asked for Der hoelle rache.
I started with Zerbinetta (from So War). Then they asked for Der hoelle rache.

I felt super good about the Zerb. I felt normally good about the Queen. After hearing the first two girls who had voices on the larger/dramatic side, I was like, Ok, I'm just going to do what I always do and give them what I can give...
and that's accuracy, excitement, crispness, and always always IMMER the high F's and everything in "line".

Aaaand....that is what I did.
On the train back I almost missed my stop home because I fell asleep IMMEDIATELY for three straight hours including interruptions by cold blasts of air from the opening train doors at every stop.
Now I'm just OVERtired...want to go to bed, but just can't make myself actually get in it yet...

Lots to think about tonight...
But very glad to be home.

one more!!

Last night's audience was the BEST so far!
So good that for MANY of our funny lines and funny trios and general funny moments, they laughed and clapped for SO long that we had to prolong our 'buttons' and freezes!
Such a fun show when the audience is so vocal :)

At first, I wasn't feeling it so much yesterday. It was gloomy and gray and I was just a bit 'bla' about the day...but then I pulled it together, got some spicy salmon sushi, ate some pineapple, got into makeup and then...it was showtime.

Again, as soon as I was ready for my 'dramatic' first entrance, I felt those feelings again...the feelings of doing something I absolutely LOVE. Of doing something that I'm absolutely privileged to do. And thankful to be able to do. And from then, it was smiles and laughter for the next three hours...followed by a late night dinner with some of the cast and chorus and a night that ended once again, energy-filled as usual (insomnia until 3am).

Tomorrow is our last show. One more for the win!

halfway there

Second show went really well. It felt SO much more relaxed than the first one.
My heart always beats just a bit faster right before my first entrance, but it is immediately calmed by the laughter of the actual physical entrance, and then- we were off.
Two more shows left...today was a snowday. Wanted to get out and about the city- this usually happens in my last few days of a gig...after working so hard and having no time when I finally have a day off in between shows I actually have time to travel and sight-see a bit. But those plans were thwarted by the icy rain and then snow which continues to fall this evening.

Ah well.

March will be devoted to taxes (I already have the major list of deductions, etc- just waiting to receive all of the forms in the mail from previous-gigs), making sure I know next-opera...22 days away...aaaand preparing for a competition that I'll be doing in May. It's "kind of a big deal" according to some.
I don't know whether that means it is at all political or not (as, frankly, most of them end up being)...but hey, I'll give it a shot.

I have to brush up some lieder, a few arias that aren't in my 'normal' every day package, and an oratorio or two, but it should go smoothly.

Other than that, will try to get back into Bikram which I've been away from for WAY too long at this point (umm, can we say July?!?!) Yea---but hey! I really haven't been home for THAT long..since then! So don't judge.

The whole healthy-food eating kick was a no-go in this month of bbq, hotel free breakfasts and general stress which led to late-night eating of sour patch kids and chocolate from opening night...yeaaa...

Ok, now I'm just babbling. There are a few other odds and ends that I've been thinking about, but that is all for tonight.

show#1

Hurray! What a great opening night.
The play-by-play as far as I can remember:
Warmed up with only lip trills around 2pm in a hot shower.
Ate pineapple throughout the day, ginger, seaweed salad, banana, then met the parents for a bbq dinner (during which I nibbled on some grilled chicken out of the sandwich I ordered and wrapped up the rest for POST show).
Got to the theater around 6pm to leave the goodies and treats for the rest of the cast,
makeup/hair call at 6:30.
At 7pm I really started vocalizing. Easy scales, sirens, one aria, check that the high G is there, and then start doing a speed-through of scenes/words at seed-voice.

Curtain at 8pm, and by 8:20 I have my first entrance.
Yes, my heart was beating fast. But only because of my entrance (coming down a raked path about 45 degree angle hanging on with one hand to the back of a cart being dragged by another person...yea....)
And from then on it was really smooth sailing. Really.
The show is so high-energy that there is no TIME to stop and think about whether I'm nervous.
The first duet and aria were paced well, the love duet was maybe the best it's ever been, end of Act I aria to finale was 'touching' where it needed to be.
And through it all I felt vocally and dramatically like I was really involved and giving it everything.
Act II the stakes were raised-- it's the 'comedy' act with a lot more action than plot, and the audience even seemed to have a higher level of energy.
First scene- hilarious and fun. Next slow aria to fast return aria- took more time to shape my cadenzas and I think that really made a difference in the delivery- more heartfelt AND fun, and then I was home free- the finale and one little arietta and THE END!

So far, great feedback all around...
Here's hoping for more growth, relaxation, and fun in the next three performances.
But first, 3 days off.

day of the show, y'all

I fell asleep around midnight.
I woke up for the first time around 6am for a second.
Then 8am.
8:30am.
Then slept until 10ish...
Not too bad.
I do feel refreshed and good.
I had super weird dreams, interspersed with those 30 minutes of being awake every once in a while in the early morning during which I went through my words in my head.
Ahhh- crazy show days.

My schedule for today will involve-- some oatmeal- possibly in the next 10 minutes.
Some pineapple (if it's not too acidic already- I bought it 5 days ago).

Some stretching/yoga type things on my hotel room rug for a while just to wake my body up.

Going out in search of goodies for opening night treats (I already wrote the notes).

Warming up around...2/3pm lightly to make sure everything is there.

Reporting to the theater at 6:30.

With MAYBE an early dinner thrown in since my parents are arriving in town around noon today. But they have learned that the day of the show is not the day for them to see me and hang out... too much noise, talking, etc...
Day AFTER- I'm all theirs.

So far, so good. Just have to get off of this couch and do said things that I've listed above.

1,000 !!

Hey! My last post was post number ONE THOUSAND!!!

HOW CRAZY IS THAT?!?!?!

Awesome.
Moving on.

Dress rehearsal this MORNING was a student matinee for students from local high schools and middle schools.

My call time was 8:30am for hair and makeup.
Let's just say I rolled out of bed at 7:40 (after sleeping like crap all night, of COURSE, because I knew I had to wake up early..always happens).

After my not-so-cheery 8:30am hour, I started getting into it...
warming up SLOWLY.
Lip trills. One octave sirens. Slow and steady.
And slowly but surely, that high G and Aflat started to feel easier.. and voila, then it was showtime.

Energy of the show was great today because kids are just an AWESOME audience. They clap, they laugh, they react (especially with on-stage kisses!!!), and it's pretty awesome to know that we get to be the 'first' opera experience that many of these students will have.

I felt vocally good all the way through. The pacing of the show is ROUGH. I'm pretty much in every scene except the first one and during the tenor aria...And every time I'm on it's either crazy bonkers high energy arias and duets, or having to find the calm to sing my 3 slow arias.
I think I've got a good rhythm down. I don't feel like I have to 'save up' anywhere, I can give it my all, and everything will still be there at the beginning, middle and end.

Looking forward to opening. Until then- first COMPLETE day off tomorrow (we haven't had one since Feb.2nd due to donor events, other small educational performances, etc)...and I plan to sleep and visit the jacuzzi when I wake up (in the afternoon).

orchestra dress, student dress

Three more times and then it's 'go time'.
Except, that it's also go time this thursday morning at TEN a.m. because we are doing our last dress rehearsal as a student invited rehearsal.
I know, I know, it's rehearsal. But who is NOT going to sing out when there are one thousand high school and middle school kids in the audience?
I'm certainly going to treat it as a performance EVEN though my wig and makeup call is EIGHT THIRTY A.M.!!

Yesterday after our piano dress I was STARVING. I guess singing this role especially takes it out of me, and since I sweat so much onstage I decided it would be ok to treat myself to an ENTIRE order of Mongolian Chicken to-go from PF Chang's.
Yes, the entire thing. Broccoli added, brown rice, and two fortune cookies.
DON'T JUDGE.

It was delicious.

thank goodness

Sitz this afternoon and Piano dress tonight.
First time in costumes and shoes, and everything went smoothly. REALLY!
Plus, the guys TOTALLY got into it and..wow, it really made a difference with my personal performance in addition to making me feel not so frantic onstage trying to 'make' the scene happen all by myself.
Feel good.
Exhausted actually.
Time to chill.

t minus 6 days

Ok, people I'm not going to lie...this has been a challenging rehearsal period.
Not because of the singing, not because of the acting, not because of the schedule.
I personally feel completely prepared with what is going on vocally and dramatically...

This time, it's time. The director was a few days late to the production (4.5) because of another engagement and a snowstorm. So, the asst. director kind of plugged us in to where we were supposed to be. When the Dir. arrived, that didn't fly. So it's kind of like losing an entire week of blocking, and re-staging the show in the second week, when we should already be RUNNING scenes smoothly. And so we had NO seamless rehearsals (ie, no rehearsals without stopping and starting and re-blocking) until- FINAL ROOM RUN. Yea- so we all kind of just put that together however we could..and it was 'fine', but in my opinion it was by no means fine for stage.
And now, we are in tech rehearsals and we're half a day late on teching the show- which means, we will NOT tech act II. Umm, ok? We just have to wing it-- no spikes, no entrance timing, no prop timing...just do the show at the piano DRESS rehearsal tonight.

Normally, I'd be ok with this, because I always know what my motivation is, when I need to be somewhere, and I rehearse these moves and beats in my head nightly.
Here's the thing. This show is NOT just dependent on me vocally and dramatically, I cannot do my job unless my chorus of men is around me, interacting with me, and playing along. But because we have had so little rehearsal and everything has been changed and re-staged and re-spaced...the guys are kind of milling about trying to get to their mark.
It's really frustrating to be in a big aria (or 4), and realize there is literally NO ONE downstage of me to sing to. They are all behind me, way upstage..which leaves me the choice of 'acting' the aria out to the audience (totally doesn't make sense) or changing my own blocking and doing everything super far upstage, and even singing upstage at some points (both not a good idea when singing this role with orchestra)...

The most frustrating this is that it's absolutely NOT their fault. There was simply NO time to get them to a comfortable place where they knew where to hit their mark AND they could still interact with me but get to the spot at the right time.
We have 5 more tries until opening. I am really really hoping that everything gets a little more comfortable and I don't have to feel like I'm being hung out to dry out there...
This situation also makes me overcompensate for the lack of energy onstage...and so basically I'm running myself ragged doing extra moves to motivate my blocking, when really I should be making sure I have enough saved for the pacing of the show (in which I'm already careening down raked slopes, doing cartwheels, basket catches, high jumps, and any other gymnastic feat that can be imagined).

Here's to taking a BIG cleansing breath and hoping it all starts to gel in the next few days.

this is why Germany is better the the USA.

For the past three days I have had a little nagging pain the back of my mouth..riiiight around where my wisdom teeth WOULD come in IF they had enough room to do so.
Last night it was actually keeping me up at night and I could feel the inflammation..and so today I went to see a dentist.
current-opera-company was nice enough to call and set up a same-day appointment, I had two xrays taken, was poked and prodded for about 2 minutes, and got the confirmation that yes, I should get that wisdom tooth taken out.
In addition to the extra scare that it looked totally gnarly and there might be three roots instead of two down there...so expect a not-so-quick-or-regular recovery.
GREAT.
What did this cost me (even though the office DID accept my US health insurance--they don't submit the forms themselves)? 129 dollars.
For 2 xrays that took 2 seconds and the dentist saying, yea, that looks not so fun. Not including going to an oral surgeon twice and paying most likely in the thousands of dollars for a good one to deal with this surgery.

So, A.- that's not such a fun thing to have to look forward to. I've been delaying the wisdom teeth thing (they've been impacted and haven't moved in the xrays since I was 18) since I've frankly never really had the time to 'take off' and do it.
I know 'normal' people can recover in a matter of days. But for singers..you NEVER know what you will feel like, if you can open your mouth all the way, how the muscles lining your jaw will feel, etc.
Basically, I would have wanted a whole summer to recover.
Sadly, I have about 2 weeks if I get it done next month, and 2.5 weeks if I get it done in May..
In between performances and competitions.

B. this is a major buzzkill and freaked me out.

C. in germany this dentist visit and xray would have cost 10 euros, and I could have gotten in to see an oral surgeon the next day..and THAT surgery would have also cost 10 euros plus maybe a 10 euro xray fee.

So, D. I WILL wait to have this done in Germany.

And, E. It will NOT feel great until it happens. I can eat and chew and I don't have headaches or anything...but it feels like my back bottom right gumline is inflamed. And apparently, it IS- seeing as how a tooth that has NO room to be there, is attempting to peak out from behind my molar.

"Ah, incisor, we meet again".
Ugh.

all in the family

I'm not sure how exactly to write about this, but I'll try to put it in words that don't make it sound like I'm complaining.
See, most people, when they get to visit their family or their family visits them, get a vacation. Yay- mom and dad are coming in for the weekend. Aunt, Uncle, grandparents.
I don't have work, we can plan this museum and that show, this dinner, and have an exhausting and fun weekend. And that's that.
But in my world, or rather, in the opera singer world, when family comes to visit, you are at work.
And actually, it's the reason that they're coming to visit. Of course, also to see you, but also to see the show that you're in.
And I should be happy about that, right?
But sometimes I just get this longing to just see my family when I WANT to see them- not to feel as if they already don't see me enough and have to come to the show as well AND want to see me after/before the performance.

I'm a pretty calm person in general when I have performances. Whether I'm nervous or not, the only routine I really try to stick to is waking up as late as possible, warming up a few hours before the show, and trying not to talk TOO much before the show.

Well-- when you have family coming to visit for the weekend of a show, it turns into- who will pick them up from the airport? Where will we have lunch? Can they see me for an early dinner? And then- I'm called to the theater.
And of course the next day when I would sleep in as late as possible and take it easy on my day off, it's filled with activities of my 'city'- which, I usually know nothing about SINCE I've been here for WORK, and not vacay.
They are not demanding- but sometimes I just start to think that it's not WORTH their WHILE to "just" come to the opera...since they want to see me. So I start to think about all these things that I should do with them or COULD do with them...that would work with my pre-show routine.

I know, I know, I should feel LUCKY that they all have the time and money to even come see me in the shows. I just feel a bit strange about it still, after all these years.

It's like I don't really want there to BE a reason that they are visiting. I want them to just come see me. Not me dressed as a certain character, singing a cute/fun opera on stage. That's not ME- that's my job. Yes, I love my job, but the character is a character- someone that I have worked to put together, something that I do which brings me passion and joy and laughter, but is also a lot of hard work..and...WORK.

And of course, if I was not here right now, I'd be across the ocean...making a visit from family much tougher and more rare.

I just get this strange feeling sometimes.
Feeling like I wish there was more to me and visiting me than just 'my next performance'.
That's all I have to say about that for right now...

newsworthy

A few things.

A. We had so much snow yesterday that after driving into rehearsal at 10am and avoiding a few inches on the ground, we had to cancel by 1pm, and retreat to our hotel. We proceeded to have dialogue rehearsal for another 3 hours in a meeting room. Small spaces plus crazy energetic singers equals... a lot of laughs.

B. Rehearsals were canceled today (ie, they gave us a day off instead of our upcoming day off) because of snow, but it's sunny and beautiful outside--and cars still can't really drive. So I'm stuck in the hotel for my day off unless I attempt to go to a local coffee shop for a change of scene.

C. I busted my finger (or rather, the tenor's shoe landed on my finger) while doing a fake-faint/fall back onto him on stage. It hurts but not so much that it's broken..I hope. Unless I have a super high tolerance for pain. I put ice on it. It's a little purple and swollen today. But the most annoying thing is that it hurts to type on my computer with my left ring finger! I think I'll survive.

D. Next year opera season is officially announced at future-house, and I've been able to update my website. REALLY excited about these ones...in this house.

rehearsal day 2

We've had two good days here so far.
As a departure from the norm, we did not have a sing-through of the piece on day 1.
Since 2 of us arrived from out of town and are singing the 2 leads, we had a musical rehearsal on our duets and arias yesterday, then staged our Act I duet, and today we did a rewind, staged some of Act I with another character..and TOMORROW is our sing through!
So I've already been running around with these people for 10 hours over the past two days..and tomorrow we will get to really hear the stuff.

My impressions so far-
It's great to be back. I know the rehearsal space (super live), I know the town (although I still had to ask for directions to the supermarket), I feel comfortable with this cast since I know mostly all of them already, as well as the direction.
What's not the BEST right now- is that we're being 'plugged in' to a production that has already been done. Both the conductor and director have done it together, actually, so before I even go to make a musical turn or impulse, that has sometimes been pre-emptively curtailed because of what they did 'last time'.
That's not to say that I have to sing in the exact same way.
But this piece has a LOT of room for cadenzas, playing with space around recits, musical moments and comedic timing...and, when you're following something that's already been laid out and has 'worked', you don't really get as much say..or rather, I can't motivate as much musically, since it has already been 'worked out' on stage.
So my goal for this staging, even though it doesn't get to be 'mine', is to MAKE it mine.
Of course, I've done productions before where I get 'plugged in', or that are being repeated with a different cast, etc. It has never been something that has gotten in my way, perhaps because of the musical style of the pieces I've done before- Mozart, and Verdi- with no dialogue.
So this time even though I was able to learn it 'freely', I have to play within the lines.
I think I'm up for the challenge.

flying tidbits

On my first flight of 9.5 hours:

1. Two women that spoke neither English nor German. Sitting in the Bulkhead seats. Don't put any of their things in the overhead bins. REALLY? Have you NEVER flown before? Did you not listen to ANY of the announcements saying that you can't have ANYTHING on the floor in bulkhead seats?

2. Then they try and fail at operating the touch screen tv's. They can't turn it on. They can't choose a movie. They finally DO choose a movie and are completely freaked out that it STOPS and says "PA announcement" when...THERE IS A PA ANNOUNCEMENT!
In addition, since they speak neither English nor German, they decide it would be awesome to share headphones, listen with one in each woman's ear and proceed to talk REALLY loudly to each other since they are not aware of how loud they are being...with half a movie in their other ear.

3. Then they can't figure out how to turn the reading light off. (It's done from the movie screen..which obviously they can't read in English or German...but apparently it was also easy to misinterpret that big LIGHT BULB that they saw on the screen).

4. People, when the gate attendants specifically ask that NOTHING except for larger carry-ons be placed in the overhead bins, and specifically say no jackets, small purses, etc since the flight is sold out, WHY is the first thing that needs space up there suddenly your HAT that can't be crushed and your poofy winter JACKET?

5. Also, my friends, getting up to go to the bathroom when you see any type of food or drink cart looming in the galley-- just not a good idea.
You look like an idiot standing behind them while they ask me what I want to drink. And yea- it was YOU-- lady in the bulkhead seats!!

6. Windows. When you are flying West, INTO the morning (ie takeoff 9:45 am but in the US it's only 2:45am), put your FRIKKING windowshades down! We all know how CRAPPY it is going to feel to land in Atlanta at noon having had no sleep at all!
But here you are, nose pressed against the window with the shade WIDE OPEN! Yes, all of those clouds are mighty pretty. But that sun glaring into everyone ELSE'S eyes for the entire flight and bouncing off tv screens..not so cool.

I was so tired from not having slept because of the piercing LIGHT and the two chatterboxes in front of me in the first flight, that flight #2 (sold out and I couldn't get my upgrade) was a blur. I think I fell asleep before we even left the gate.

It is now 11:22, I'm fighting to stay awake just a bit longer.
First rehearsal tomorrow afternoon.

staying in the game

I've never been one to rest on my laurels.
Never been satisfied knowing what I'm doing just THIS season and half of next.
Always online, looking for the next production that is still unlisted.
Mostly checking TENOR websites since those guys are booked so early!
And I've written about it before, but I'm feeling it again-- mostly from recent FB postings and update emails I've received from colleagues.
Well, direct competition colleagues, I guess- yes, 2 coloraturas CAN be friends, but when it comes down to jobs and auditions.. it can get ... competitive.
The thing is- I feel like I'm not really IN the game at all this year.
It's ironic, but when you ARE working, you have no time to audition.
I didn't go to NYC at all this year... not one audition.
I was working until mid-November, and then had a few auditions in Europe.
And now, seeing these postings and upcoming jobs and upcoming auditions-- I just wonder... where I am in this whole track.
Yes, I have jobs until January 2012. This is a great thing. They are GOOD jobs.
But I also know what's going on at a 'certain' Warm-part-of-Europe house in 2013...and how it will be a co-production of what I auditioned for at a "CERTAIN US HOUSE" last year...
And I also know who is doing Flutes and Ariadnes and Hoffmanns and Candides....
So how do you stay focused on the task at hand instead of auditions that I can't really control?
Or SHOULD I be trying to focus on getting auditions? Well, that is, letting my agent know that I've found certain information and wondering about whether THEY know if it has been cast or not?
Most people (who are more sane and less googlicious than I am), would let their agents do the work here. It is their job, and THEY get paid if they get the artist and audition and if the artist gets the job.
I understand that, but there is also so much that I simply want to know on my own, and do find out through the interwebs. And it's hard to know what do to, if anything, with that information.
I mean, I could literally start an excel chart of all the upcoming shows that I have found in future seasons that I'm not SURE have been cast yet, but all other internet trails lead to NO, and therefore- could I audition there? Well, why not?

Sigh...of course, the better way to spend my time (seeing as how it's 1am and my flight to next-opera leaves at 9:45 am tomorrow...today) is to finish packing my suitcase, close it, weigh it and make sure I come in under 50 pounds, and just relax and try to think about the fun of next-show.

On The Road 2011- take 2.

HOME! (for four days)

The last matinee was great, even though it was a matinee :)

I made it to the airport with SO much time that it was silly of me to have anxiety dreams about missing my flights for 2 nights in a row before the day of the flight.
There was NO one at the bag check-in line (I already had my boarding pass) and there was NO one at security. That means I got to eat an airport dinner, buy some sour patch kids for the flight (eaten at the Amsterdam airport around 10am the next day), and have plenty of time before boarding began.

And yet another bonus: No one on the plane! I got my two seater row to myself so I could kinda sleep/stretch out, the BABY in the middle aisle next to me was quiet for the entire flight, and they even played the Facebook movie, which I hadn't seen yet.

Arriving at home- the best feeling ever.
Today, with just two more full days here INCLUDING today-- not so much the best feeling...since, of course, I want to stay longer.

However, I must leave, or to use upcoming-opera lingo: 'il faut partir'!!

I will be a lot busier in this next production.
Character is on stage nearly the whole opera, a lot of physical comedy and movement to conquer, a lot of dialogue to make sense of with timing, and I am also doing my duty as an outreach artist- having agreed to visit some schools and talk about my experiences and sing for them a bit.
Still, it can't be so much more than 6 hours a day.
Which leaves time for NEXT-opera, and all those songs for all those competitions that I entered which I listed in my repertoire that I haven't sung since my MM recital.

But for now- relaxing, repacking, and waiting for 5pm and a night on the town!

one more for the win!

Last show today- it's a matinee. We've had 4 in a row and to top it all off, I have to warm up my voice before noon. Gioia :)

But it's fine. All the notes are there, and even some past the F, so that's never a problem. I went to bed early (2am) last night, shocking...I know...especially after the night of a show when I'm usually very hyper.

So I did get enough sleep. I packed my bags for my quick escape to the airport immediately after the show ends ::

4:59 show ends 5:03pm I'm out of makeup and we're off ..my flight leaves at 7:30pm..and yes, it's international and yes, I'm checking bags...and YES, I've dealt with the fact that I'll probably be the jerk cutting you all in the baggage and security line because I'm about to miss my flight..thanks

What can I say? This has been a FUN and SHORT show-- short being the word I like most about it, since I'm not too homesick, I didn't pack too much stuff, I felt like I was ok living in a hotel room for 21 days, and it was just the perfect amount of time to put the show up and feel super prepared for it.

Usually productions are just about 4 weeks plus or minus a day or two. Sometimes just under 4.
Either way..for some reason 20 feels very different from 28.

I'm excited for the last show and just as excited for my mad dash to the airport, trip home for FOUR days, and then...next show!

#2 down

A great show again.
I was feeling sluggish this morning, but a hot steamy shower a few hours before call time fixed that right up.
Felt vocally free and loose.
Was kind of annoyed to have to be singing this role in (warning, TMI)" 'girly time' (YES, there, I've said it again...)...
But everything was easy breezy.
Even went jogging for 30 minutes at the gym today which felt really good.
I LOVE that I can JOG for 30 minutes without stopping!
Ok, it's still super slow, but I don't care! I don't get wheezy or side stitches or anything...
if anything, it's just a tad boring and there has to be something mildly amusing on TV while I'm doing it.
TWO MORE and then HOME.

#1 down

So far so good! Felt good about it today even with the tiredness from this morning.
Got some energy, had a snack bar, read some magazines backstage, totally delivered the arias and the intensity in a way that I wanted to, and already got positive review#1 (NOT that I read or care about reviews...ok, I read them...but I don't care about them except to put the good press into my website).

3 more to go!

it's the day of the show y'all!

In true orchestral rehearsal fashion, we had a dress rehearsal..on the same day as the show.
which means, I woke up at 8am. And then got into full costume and full makeup. And then marked the show. And then was tired. And now am still tired. And it's 4pm. And at 5:20ishpm, I will get out of my bed, take a shower, and need to warm up. So I can be at the theater at 6:40ishpm.

Everything will be fine. Once I get 40 minutes of shut-eye and then start my day over again.

t minus 6 days...

Opening night in 6 days.
Although we haven't had orchestra or full costumes, everything seems to be going smoothly so far.
I'm excited to perform with this AWESOME orchestra, cool costumes and concept, and basically have another gig that I'm feeling totally prepared and comfortable for.

Besides that, the jogging 30 minutes every other day has been good, the colleagues are fun, the costumes are cool, and I'm even making very good progress on upcoming-opera (I had better since it starts in 2 weeks!)

rehearsal update

After our first day of musical rehearsal (approximately 3 hours of music in which I had about 10 minutes of singing), my schedule was as follows: Tuesday, no rehearsal.
Wednesday, called from 1-2:30 to run through act I (even though I hadn't been staged into act I yet)...ended up being told where to enter, stand, exit, not have to sing, and get to leave after 11 minutes.

The thing is, I DO enjoy being at rehearsals.
What do I do when I'm NOT there?
I have gone to the gym every day. Yes, my 20 minutes on the elliptical the first day turned into 35 in just three days, so now I think I'm back on track and close to where I was last year with the 40 minute OR 1.5-2 mile workout per day, so that's pretty good. Let's see if I can keep it up for the month.
There are a LOT of channels on the television that I'm not used to having.
So that's on. A lot. More than I'd like to admit.
BUT yesterday I had the GENIUS idea of MUTING the tv during commercials and doing 'memorization runs' of the words to next-opera.
Actually, it kind of worked.
Today-- well I've been awake since 7:30am, it's now 8:45 (email/facebook/nytimes..blog).
I'm called for Act 2 for about an hour later this afternoon.
My morning? When it actually starts it will include the gym...

well HELLOOO there 2011 :)

I'm at current-gig in currently very COLD and SNOWY climate.
Yet another queen, which means, yet again, that I have PLENTY o' time ...
and how will I use my time?
Will I learn how to knit from a youtube video? (casting on I watched twice, casting off and knitting I watched once)
Or will I learn the WORDS to next-opera? and the words AND music to next-next-opera?

Or will I take advantage of the FULL gym that is at this hotel? And the sauna and jacuzzi?

Well, I arrived yesterday at 6pm, completely exhausted and jet-lagged.
I promptly unpacked (kinda), went to the gym and did the elliptical machine for TWENTY minutes (this is epic people..I think the last time I REALLY exercised was before my wedding....that would be September), and proceeded to fall asleep around 9:45pm (7 hour time difference so I had a valiant effort).
I woke up at 5am, watched three hours of "Say yes to the dress" (don't judge), and went to the supermarket at 8:30am to get the FEW things that can fit in my minifridge, and some other staples like fruits, peanut butter, and granola bars.

First rehearsal today went very well. It was a musical rehearsal in the room.
I have some new dialogue (in English)- but it's only two lines compared to the half a page of German that I needed to memorize for last time, so I'll be fine by the time we get to staging that scene.

I already had a costume fitting today and I'm wearing a black bustier, fishnets, and a jacket/dress in dark red/black velvet. HOT... I must say- thank you for updating queen of the night and not making me have a silver tiara with stars on it and bedazzled dagger!

Things that I should do that I can't consider resolutions:
1. lose the 7 pounds that I have gained in the last 3 weeks which I blame on airplane food, the gluttony of a wedding weekend (if you EVER get a chance to eat (for free) at the 4 seasons for brunch in LA- DO IT! there are ROOMFULLS of food), followed by a vacation in hawaii.
2. MEMORIZE english for next-show. Including dialogue. (I know Act I already).
3. Work on next-next show.

Things that I CAN consider resolutions:
1. Try to be healthier ALL the time rather than just in small spurts when I have gyms available or nice weather for bike-riding.

2. Try to be more zen about the fact that I'm a professional musician.
-This means I don't talk on the phone a lot to friends that live in the US. Even when I'm in the US. Mostly, I am updated about people's lives through facebook...the occasional gchat and email...
It's easy for me to operate this way- somehow detached, but not completely. And I don't love it. I'd like to strengthen the friendships that mean more to me than just a status update

-This means I don't get to buy a yearly pass for Bikram yoga since I work out of the country for 6 months a year at least.

-This means that most of my extended family, and everyone that knows me or meets me pretty much ONLY asks me questions having to do with my schedule, where I'm singing, where I WILL sing, and whether they will hear me at the MET one day.
They ask because my 'job' is more interesting than most jobs. But a lot of times I wonder what they would ask me about if this WASN'T my job.
WOULD there be anything to talk about?

-This means that all of the googling, trying to figure out schedules, following singers and manager websites, the hiring and firing, the changes of the guard, and everything that has to do with the 'business' that I don't have control over-- I need to be able to add to my arsenal of knowledge and balance that out with the actual opportunities that I can make for myself or that my managers can make for me.
There is a LOT of information out there. Sometimes I know why certain people are in certain places, and where there are openings for me. Sometimes I don't. And I need to be more ok with that.

-This means that I would like to focus on ME and my product. Yes, product. It's the voice, the look, the attitude, and THEN who can work for me and get that out there.
I'd really like to find another set of trusted ears abroad. I'd love to do some intense work like they did in the 'good old days', where you sing for your teacher every day or every other day. And if not for a teacher, then a coach. And if not for a coach (since I don't have the dough for coachings every day) then for MYSELF.
Practicing my repertoire more often and adding new and interesting pieces to it.

I'd like to be more zen about the fact that I do love what I do, but mostly, it's an open-ended gig...like riding a wave and you're not quite sure whether you'll catch one, how far you'll ride it, or when the next big one will come along (yes, I took surfing lessons in Hawaii).
I don't think I'll fall OFF the board. I believe that technique and experience has gotten me far enough that I will stay on. I'd just like to start seeing a pattern of frequent waves. Big waves. And to make a splash.

vaycay!

In two days I'll be leaving for fun in the sun and a wedding (no, not my own! shock and awe!).
Things I SHOULD do on the plane:
Memorize, memorize, memorize english translation of upcoming opera2 and text!!!

Things I'll PROBABLY do on the plane:
Sleep. Watch movies. Repeat for 14 hours.


See ya after the new year when I'm already at upcoming opera1 gig!!

Oh, well, actually, maybe I'll do a 'year in review' type thing before that, but not in the next 2 days!

from 'the forum'

Wrote this a few weeks ago, over yonder on another classical singer discussion forum, but thought it was appropriate to post here, since I just did a run-down of US-based Yaps/reality of the business.
Why not hit Europe as well?

Just as a comparison and a possible statement on the 'state of things' here in Europe:

Between Aug.25-Dec.2nd of 2009 I had 10 auditions.
Aug.25-end of 2010: 3 with one more scheduled.

In the 'winter/spring' (Jan.-March-ish) audition season of 2009: 12.
'winter/spring' season of 2010: 4.

In addition, when I moved here in 2009, at THAT point singers were already saying the audition opportunities were fewer than 'normal', or 'the past'. (And yes, I moved here, I didn't do a 'European audition tour' with a US mailing address still on my resume).

It certainly seems like this may no longer be the place to 'wait it out' and then return to the good ole' USofA with 'roles under your belt', nor is it the place to get your foot in the door more easily.

(But we already knew that because we all read What The Fach, right??!!!! :) )

Advice to singers considering an 'audition tour':

Consider coming here seriously if you want to live a European lifestyle and STILL chase after every last opportunity/audition-- just like in the US. Yes, that means you may have to teach English, try to get a part time job (welcome to dealing with Foreign Visa offices), or be creative in the musical opportunities/other part time opportunities you seek out for yourself ALL while applying to house auditions/agent auditions...auf Deutsch.

Don't come here because your teachers and coaches said you should 'hit' Europe and you'll be 'perfect' for the types of houses and shows they do here.

To be frank, I don't really think that kind of opportunity exists here anymore, UNLESS you are interested in applying to the 'yaps' of European houses..upper age limit for most 28 (women), and median age of most of my colleagues singing in such programs- 24/25).
And yes, you get paid nearly nothing to do all of the barbarinas/anninas/papagenas that your hearts desire with no security that when you've put in your one or two years that you'll move into an ensemble position at that house.
Although I wasn't looking for this type of situation when I moved here, I know an equal number of young singers that have benefited from it (ie, moved up into the ensemble and have security in their job..although maybe not the best roles possible) and a matching number that were spit out into the 'real world' of trying to secure mainstage auditions for leading roles on their own after two years. They do have pretty perfect German though!

the 'biz' ... again

"It's the most wonderful time of the year"! It's the YAP, YAPPIEST season of all...
Yes, it's that time, in New York City, when singers young and OLD wind their way through the bowels of nyco, warm up in the bathrooms of church basements, lip trill in the hallways of NOLA, and hope above all hopes that they are 'accepted' somewhere.
Why?
Validation, of course. And "The PATH". Feels kind of like "The SECRET". They say "if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere", but, is it true for YAPs and those first programs that are supposed stepping stones to success?

(btw, do you like all the quotes and alliteration I've used so far? Yea, it's THAT kind of morning).

Here are a few case studies of friends of mine (let's stick with sopranos since it's easily the hardest 'fach' to get hired in...no matter what).

Soprano A- undergrad from a music conservatory, grad from a music conservatory, mid level Yap1, mid/high level Yap2, doctorate from a music school, "yap"abroad for a year (in all of these yaps she covered the main roles and sang the smaller roles...with a few chances to do the big stuff, like in student matinees). Back in NYC, with an management since age 29, not being accepted to many mainstage auditions, nothing in future work. Over 30 now.

Soprano B- undergrad from a big university, grad from a big university while at the same time in a resident artist program (singing and covering leading roles), small summer Yap1, small summer yap2 (and by small I mean, they do one or two shows, and they may not have the 'connections' coming to see the young artists as a bigger yap would). Big residency program (for a year, but then nothing from them). Gap year. No summer program, no residency. Not managed yet, not 30 yet either, applying to yaps THIS year (after years of doing it..since we were all about 22 or 23ish), and got into a top-level Yap- which means- connections, agent auditions, mainstage auditions from WHOEVER comes through there for the summer. My friends that have sung here have mostly ALL come out either with an agent, concert work, or a mainstage job. Here's hoping!

Soprano C- undergrad from a big university and from a conservatory, grad from a big university while in a resident artist program (leading roles), yap1, yap2 (mid-level), invited back to yap2 for mainstage, Big residency program (for a year, singing great mainstage roles), return to residency house after program for one show, management at age 25- then no more summer programs, or 'programs' at all were recommended. Mainstage- starting from regional, working way into 'important regional', Europe debut, and mainstage work into 2012.

SopranoD- JOC (that's juilliard opera center), bigYap, was heard by intl.YAP at bigYAP, now in the ensemble of major European opera house (with top management, obviously).

SopranoE- IU (music school) Master's, little yaps, big yaps, big residency asked back for 3 years (roles, covers of big roles), then nothing for THREE years, now a little yap, and tbd for the summer. No management, over 30.

What's the key? IS there a key? Is there a 'right way'?
Is it just your GUT telling you to press on for ONE more year of the insanity in New York between October and December? Is it just dumb luck about the one year that the panel decides YOU will be the 'chosen one who will join the ranks of a summer program, mostly to sing in the chorus, but also to cover a mainstage role? How old is too old and when is enough, enough? I have colleagues well into their mid to late thirties who are still singing in Yaps. NOT as mainstage artists. (And not always telling the TRUTH about their age....since many programs have age limits).

The harder truth is, that YAPs, while providing a supportive 'incubator' period, and yes, also providing the opportunity to REALLY show your stuff (if given the chance, when agents come through for mainstage performances), are not an indicator of a future career. They're like a 'hidden level' in Mario Brothers that you can collect a LOT of golden coins in, and maybe skip to level 4 from level 1...BUT it doesn't mean that you can't lose all your lives and have a "Game Over" sign flashing on your not-yet-color Gameboy Screen (I'm dating myself to about 1995 here). And by the time you start that new game from level one with no secret codes, you may be 30, with no agent, and no real 'experience' besides covering and coaching for a summer.

really?

How is it already the end of the month and I've only written 6 blog posts in November?
Kind of unacceptable.
Although I know it will only get WORSE! Because next month I'm on VAYCAY and COMPUTER-LESS for 15 days. You got it!
Well, I'm sure not computer-less, as I will have my handy iphone (thank you for working in the US I hope)...so I can check my email, but I ASSUME that all that bright SUNSHINE of the LEFT coast will not inspire too many blog posts...certainly none that have to do with singing.

19 more days until the airplane!

The video recording went well for the past 2 coachings.
I still have a LOT to make sure that I learn before 2011 gig-2 and gig-3, but I am NOT freaked, because I have SO many hours on planes to go over dialogue and opera translated into English. Plus, I still have 2 more months before that madness even begins. PLENTY 'o' time.

Right now I'm focused on my weekend-getaway out of Deutschland, which I hope will not be hampered by the light snow dusting we got this morning, or the forecast of more light snow tomorrow morning when my flight leaves.

legal eagle

I have a coaching tomorrow in which I PLAN to make a recording. Not just audio. Really, international competition? You're going to require us to submit dvds of our performances but ALSO require that we sign an AFFIDAVIT saying they are legal recordings?
Are ANY video recordings (other than professionally recorded dvds) legal?!
I mean, I'm CERTAINLY not making any money off of my youtube/website offerings, but sure, I guess 'legally', they are illegal.

I don't understand WHY though. I'm not making any money off of them. Or selling them. Or selling a certain 'production', 'costume', 'orchestra', or whatever else you could pinpoint as having a 'union' and being 'for sale' in a recording project.

Nope, I'm just selling my voice. But as a BONUS you get to see me ACT too! and sometimes that can make a huge difference!
Who wants a queen of the night that stands there and looks completely terrified when the high F's roll around? Or when that long Alle Bande phrase comes up and you're dying for a breath?

And what about that high F I added into the end of Una voce poco fa that I'm singing WHILE waving around the 'love letter' (again, not looking like a deer in headlights, but looking like I'm actually completely enjoying what I'm doing?..which, DUH, I am!). Added to the general 'acting chops' displayed throughout....

And how about the clips that I have of Oscar that show I can be 'masculine", and ok, yes, I added a G into the Olympia aria too- but-- you should KNOW that I look like a KNOCKOUT as a spray-painted golden robot-doll.

hahaha...
No, really. There IS merit in requesting these videos for a competition that I'm sure will get TONS of applicants. But you HAVE to acknowledge that ALL the video clips are illegal! Unless you happened to be in a dvd project with a super famous production or singer-- in which case, you're PROBABLY not applying to an UNDER THIRTY vocal competition to make some mulah on the side!

That is all for today.
And so, tomorrow I'll be recording my 'legal' video of arias (with piano- BOO, with no costumes- BOO, in a small rehearsal room and not a big hall/onstage- BOO BOO BOO), so that I can apply to this competition 'legally'.

2 days a.o.k.

Friday and Saturday were pretty good in terms of musical productivity.
And then today came.
Today when it's already 1pm and I just got out of bed.
Why?
Well, just re-wind to ONE month ago, and you'll get the point.
I hate days like these. Days when I know that if I have to sing, it will take extra long to warm my voice up. And days that if I don't HAVE to sing (for a performance), I absolutely won't.
Maybe I can at least memorize some dialogue. Later.
First, I need some chocolate.

hurrray for singing!

Wait, first let me say- HURRAY for waking up!
Yes, it's true-- for the past two weeks I have not gotten out of bed before noon. SOMETIMES I was awake before that time, and checkin' out the interwebs. MOST times I would wake up from about 7:30-8, then fall back asleep around 9:30 and sleep straight through until about noon, THEN check the internets until 2pm (all in bed, of course).
Which means, I wasn't eating, drinking, OR doing anything, really (besides, obviously, let me state ONCE again..being on the INTERWEBS) until well past the mid-day.

In my defense, however, I was HUGELY productive in the wee hours..between about 11pm and one a.m.
Printing out music, reading about music news, competitions, singers, what's going on, and then my normal blogginess/nytimes/facebook/email combo.

Yes, I practiced (out loud) twice. And both times I wrote about how I should do it more often.
Funny how once you get around to doing something that you so naturally always DO, it's a lot of fun.

So- today- practice!
An hour and twenty minutes of singing fun arias and lieder and oratorio!
I did about 15 minutes of warming up before switching to my 'standard' "am I warmed up aria"- Durch Zaertlichkeit.
If I can sing this WITH EASE, everything is fine.
Well, I did.
And so,
It was.

Then I did some Doll song action, some Rosina, some Debussy and Strauss lieder, followed by Zerbie (just the aria) and finally looked at the new oratorio piece.

I WILL say I was vocally tired after that entire time- meaning, I felt a bit 'thick' in the super low (below middle c), but other than that, NOTHING changed, and I feel as if I could start singing again right now.
The low thickness is usually a warning sign that I've been singing very high for a very long time.
Which, actually is true- since I forgot to mention I sang crazy-high-contemporary aria as well, twice.

I can stay up in the stratosphere long enough, but then coming down, I always feel the need to belt out a good ole Gershwin tune in a 'jazzy' but supported style. Just to make sure that everything is still healthy, functioning as it should be, and EASY.
Most importantly- EASY.

And- today it was.
Good working session today even inspired me to MAYBE do a little brain work later- ie, still music stuff, but things that don't require singing.

attitude adjustment

Remember that time, say, oh, about FIVE days ago when I said that it felt so good to practice and sing through an entire role and that I'll be doing something like this every day I hope? Yea....then came the weekend..well, the almost-weekend (thursday), followed by the weekend (friday to sunday), followed by this morning (recovery from weekend).
No, I didn't go clubbing until 4am, I just had a friend and family involved kind of weekend that included much eating of french pastries (still baked in Germany so they were ho-hum), much shopping (not for me, but I got to judge others..always a fun thing), much walking about and seeing some sights while enjoying one of FF's possibly LAST mild-weathered weekends this season (since it's raining and freezing out now), and much talking (so much, that even if I wanted to practice last night or Saturday it probably would have felt a bit dry and crappy).
BUT I'm feeling awesome now- it's almost 4pm here which means I can practice (after the afternoon-no-noise-allowed time), and practice I SHALL.
Except first I have to finish my chocolate muesli.

progress

I sang through next-next opera two days ago. The whole thing. And YAY did it feel good.
I mean, I love this role because it's so charming, light and fun.
The things to think about here are- I think I want some new cadenzas. The last time I sang this role I was a grad student, and doing everything by the letter in order to placate coaches and conductors that didn't like to ruffle any feathers with, oh, you know- artistry. In a sense that there were two casts and we needed to do as much alike so the orchestra would be ok, the staging would be 'equal', and the conductor wouldn't freak....
hahaha.
But now I'M the boss!

ready, set, go?

It has now officially been a week and a half since returning from previous-show, and doing last week's koenigin.
Should I ... get back on TRACK of 'doing things'? Instead of oh, sitting on my behind checking out the interwebs all day?

Last week I had an audition out of the country. Well, it took two trains to get there, so it wasn't THAT far out of the country. Still, it was the 'first' audition of the fall season, well let's just say of the November/December season for me.
And I did what I normally do.
Woke up, got dressed, lip trills in the shower, light warming up before I get to the theater, got to the theater, had a pianist that asked kindly/refused to play Zerbinetta (meanwhile- what's UP with that? I know it's hard, but it's a WELL offered aria these days, especially from the END, so come on guys, can you take a LOOK at it please??), so then I end up looking like the A-hole who has to go back down to the KBB office and scratch out my previously written repertoire list since this pianist didn't want to play the Strauss.
Really?
Really.

So anyway, audition went well- I think I spent more hours on a train in a 24 hour period of time than I ever had. Oh, scratch that. 29 hours on a train straight from Germany to Oslo in the winter of 2009 European audition tour.
Ok, so it wasn't 29 hours, but for the 10 minute audition turnaround, it seemed like a lot of hours on the train.

Also, someone (turns out it was someTHING) jumped in front of our ICE train. Which means- we stop for 2 hours while the police and ambulance are called, only to find out it was an animal, not someone who had written their last goodbyes and figured a train moving at 250km/hr was a good way to end it all.

Aaaanyway, yes, it's been a week.
I'm back now.
I cleaned the apartment today. Kitchen floors and EVERYTHING. Put my clothes away finally- no more suitcases in the hallway. And now, maybe JUST maybe I'm ready to focus on getting back to 'work'.
By work I mean SIS- self-imposed-study. Of course, I HAVE to do it seeing as how it needs to be memorized by February and then April and then October of 2011--(it, being- 3 operas).

I've said it before and will say it again- when you have NO time, is when you can do- and usually do- the MOST with your time.
And, sadly, I have.. a LOT of time.. right now.
And what do I do with my time?
huminahuminahuminaINTERNEThuminahumina....etc.

So it's back to attempting to be my own taskmaster.
Ready?
GO.