This post has taken me too long to do. My hope was to chronicle my first experience at a summer music program. I wanted to create shorter, more frequent posts. Instead, I am bashing out this word vomit one week into the program. The reason: I am extremely busy here. My days have been filled with rehearsals, masterclasses, coachings, lessons, practicing, yoga, and making friends. I am so happy. I am working on my favorite thing in the world (opera, in case you have never encountered me at all in any way, shape, or form) literally all day. Even when I am just hanging out with my colleagues or the faculty I learn and discuss things. It's so wonderful.
I am so excited to be here. I am singing Nancy in Albert Herring (Benjamin Britten), which sits wonderfully in my voice. The music is extremely challenging, but makes total sense once you get it in your system and head. Everyone in my show is so on top of knowing their music. We were told to have it memorized by the first day of the program, but often there is that one jerk who just doesn't know their music. Not so in this production. Everyone came in on the first day completely solid. It was incredible. We've had to work on coordinating a lot of the scenes that involve the entire cast, but that is to be expected. The vocal lines are short interjections that dovetail or overlap each other, which take a lot of practice to get right. Everyone is also very quick when it comes to learning staging, which is just lovely. Really the amount of talent here is just astounding. I feel so lucky to be among such amazing singers. Also everyone is so ridiculously nice. And not fake nice, but truly, genuinely kind. They don't pretend to like you; they actually do. Or don't, but so far that hasn't happened. Everyone is getting along really well (knock on so much wood pleeease let there be no drama...actually, I would honestly be surprised if there was; this isn't a dramatic group at all). The faculty here are so supportive, knowledgeable, and approachable. I'm getting distracted by a conversation my friends are having next to me, so bye for now. I'll write tomorrow. I will probably be drunk, since a huge group of us are going wine tasting!
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I just made friends with a woman so vivacious I want to cry (in a good way). She is so open and effusive. She seems to spew sunlight and energy. Let's rechristen her Verve for now. Verve is a year older than me; is medium height; thin build; and has hair that was probably originally light brown but is currently a bright red that matches and broadcasts her personality.
What happened: I was crossing the street to the train station and I see a beautifully dressed woman out of the corner of my eye. I turn to look at her and she makes eye contact with me, grins hugely and sincerely, and says, "Hi!!!" I grin back, then we keep walking. She also ends up on the train platform, standing next to me. I look at her again and she smiles and giggles and I giggle and say, "sorry, but I really like your outfit!" She beams and says, "it's fine, that's a great complement to start the day!" (p.s. I'm probably totally paraphrasing all of the things. I remember the meaning of everything we said to each other perfectly; I'm just fuzzy on the details, since it's morning and I was more interested in enjoying the conversation than remembering it.) Then we started talking. She told me a good chunk of her residential history before we got on the train. I found out where she was born, how long she lived outside of California, and part of her father's employment history. I found out she went to Catholic school. Then we got on the train. We sat next to each other and continued talking. Eventually I found out she's an actress. Which totally explains her openness, energy, and presence. Also the fact that we clicked. I don't think it was her outfit that drew my attention; it was her radiance. Anywho, I wanted to tell you about this exciting person. I wanted to tell you about her liveliness. I wanted to tell you about her curiosity and energy. I wanted to tell you that she was so bright she filled me with light and warmth and love for the world. I wanted to tell you that she made my day. At 7 o'clock in the morning. And Verve, if you're reading this, I'm very glad I met you. Even if I never see you again, you made my life happier and brighter. |
AuthorMaayan is a Manhattan-based opera singer. Archives
January 2019
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