Dear Blog Readers (if you’re out there, and I don’t blame you if you aren’t),
I must apologize for neglecting this space. I could make excuses, but they’re kind of lame…so here is a rundown on my life events since the end of UAO’s summer season.
During late September/early October, I was involved in a world premiere production of composer Barbara Harbach’s O Pioneers!, an opera based on the Willa Cather novel. I was quite happy to have the job: it paid well, I got to work with some great singers, Mark Meier directed, and it gave me the opportunity to perform at the Touhill PAC. That’s about all I have to say ;)
For the past few months, I’ve been actively singing with the church choir at Union Avenue Church. We are embarking on an Italy Choir Tour this June. Scott, our choir director, negotiated a trip with a NYC-based tour company. The proposed route plan: 10-days in Italy, including 2 nights each in Rome, Assisi, Florence and Como. The airfare, bus transportation, lodging, some meals and admission (for museums/attractions) brought the final total to a whopping $3500—and that was ONLY if we could get 40 people onboard. I, and others, were uneasy about this price. Nevertheless, I was willing to scrimp and save. We got about 25-30 people to commit, and after some developments (including the option to keep costs the same by nixing Assisi—a devastating prospect), it was decided that going through a tour group was no longer feasible…
…which brought us back to square one. Last week, Scott proposed a trip planned independently—and if not enough choir people sign up, it will be an enjoyable trip with great friends. This option looks far more palatable, given how it would save everyone about $1,000. Plus, we’d get to keep Assisi on the tour and end it in Venice—where I’ve never been—instead of Como (on the Swiss border). I can also visit many places/see many sights I missed in Rome and Florence the first time around. And Assisi? Well, you know how I feel.
Paying for the tour seems a tough venture, but I must say that the challenge has been eased by some fortuitous developments. Since O Pioneers!, I have been engaged for five singing gigs. I just finished the first with New Opera STL (Chorus/Ambrogio in Barber of Seville), where I’ll return for some brief comprimarios in Werther and Gianni Schicchi in January/March. Next week, I begin rehearsals for Amahl and the Night Visitors with UAO. Jolly Stewart also asked me to be involved in Die Fledermaus—her final production at WashU this March. I’ll be one of the New Year’s Eve party guests, singing the “Tit-Willow” song from The Mikado. For all of this, I am very thankful!
Speaking of thankful things, here are some other things I have to be thankful for this year:
- Countless wonderful, accepting, understanding friends
- GLEE, South Park, Survivor and The Amazing Race
- A boss and supervisor that “get” my odd schedule and career needs!
- Union Avenue Christian Church—for many reasons
- Prospect of returning to Italy; having the means to do so
- Emily, Jeff, William, Grace, Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Uncles, Aunt and cousins
- That I’m alive.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
