Mozartmaid

Love's Comedy Reflections

2008-07-05T08:33:00.007-04:00

Well, I loved working with the people in the show. I had a very small part, and it did nothing to show off what I can do, but they're paying me. Still waiting to receive the check actually. There was a review in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/22/AR2008062202041.html , which isn't glowing except it does say 'the best voices were in subsidiary roles', which I think is fair to include myself. :) Some of the music was really lovely: in places a little Sondheim-ish, and in others, more Gilbert and Sullivan. If I was more adept, I'd link you my favorite piece called 'Sagas of Old," a very celtic musical theater piece. Overall, it was a fun professional experience and I'm glad they asked me to participate!

Love's Comedy

2008-06-03T20:53:00.004-04:00

So excited! I've been asked to perform in a concert version of a never-before staged opera!! I'm awaiting the score which should come in the mail sometime this week! All I know is that it's about a girl who is in love with a gorgeous pauper, and a rich old man who chases her. And in the end, she goes with the rich old man. Too funny! I will blog more on the subject when I get to see the score...

National Society of Arts and Letters Competition--Results!

2008-03-09T22:35:00.003-04:00

Well, I didn't win, but neither did my colleagues and friends from school. So I don't feel so bad. But I did sing well. My dad came and we had an okay lunch at a grocery store/deli near the college. I was nervous, but had warmed up well, and knew I would sing my best. I haven't had a lesson in about four months, but I am sounding better then ever. I do need a lesson from my teacher, but don't know when I can fit in to my teacher's busy schedule, who has a hard enough time giving lessons to her enrolled students... anyway, I learned that I need to stick to lighter repertoire. I am NOT ready for Manon. I am ok with that. But I did learn from one of the judges (a critic and writer for Opera News) that I was on the short list. :) So I made a good showing, but there was only 1st and 2nd place... oh, well... back to the drawing board.

2008-02-07T21:24:00.000-05:00

Just a glimpse at a legend... this is a picture of Maria Callas' apartment in Paris (16e, a short walk from Trocadero; she had the best view of the Eiffel Tower in the city, I'm sure.)

New York International Opera Preliminaries (NYIOP)

2008-02-04T13:59:00.000-05:00

www.nyiop.com

OK, so I discovered this surfing the web... looks like a great opportunity! From what I understand, it's a bunch of opera companies from all over the world that get together to do auditions. But the best part is that there is no 'danger' of being blacklisted if you aren't ready for the bigger houses. How? Well, it's a PRELIMINARY. Meaning, they hear you, they GIVE YOU FEEDBACK (HUGE plus!) and don't let you go on until you are ready. It was designed by singers who get frustrated with the process--that is the nightmare either spending loads of money on summer programs to *hopefully* get an audition for a young artist program and/or trying out for companies you aren't ready for and then getting blacklisted with the threat that you'll NEVER get work! Sounds like NYIOP is a win-win situation: you get to audition so people hear you, and you get feedback! Anyone out there done this audition? Please leave feedback on the comments section of this blog. I'd love to hear what you got out of it!

Arts & Letters Competition

2008-02-04T13:55:00.000-05:00

So I only have one competition on the books so far this year. Am I being a slacker?? Yes and no. I admit that I needed a break after finishing my Masters, but it was also hard to track down my teacher to have a lengthy discussion about what I should do next. This is such a hard field; I have no illusions about it. I do need to look for more opportunities, and yet I still feel that MY chance will come overseas... I've always known I'd live in Europe and I'm on my way back. But I'm smarter and more experienced this time. So... for the time being, I need to focus on my craft, sing EVERYday, and get ready to compete!!