I’m usually not a sucker for pageantry, but I was pretty entranced by the opening ceremonies in Torino. Wish I had their scenic, costume, and lighting budget.:) And if I can do anything as well at 70-something as Pavarotti can still sing, I’ll go to heaven a happy soul. The TV cameras were not kind
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Danger, Will Robinson
Multiple requests this week to talk about last Saturday’s Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Mid-Atlantic Regional finals at the Kennedy Center. I was one of three judges, and I’ve gotten emails, calls, and blog comments asking for some detail on how the panel arrived at its decisions. Of course, that’s pretty much not possible without
Read MoreCheaper than Therapy
A few weeks ago I started getting responses to the unedited audition comments that I’d begun to post. Some feedback came in the form of posted comments (anyone can comment on an entry by clicking the link at the bottom), some were emails sent to my address (see right), and others were posted on forums
Read MoreNow I Remember…
…why I so enjoy these recitals with opera company alums. Well, there are lots of reasons, but one of the best is the chance to play with grown-ups again. Not to knock all of the amazingly gifted young singers that populate most of the rest of my life. They’re intuitive and musical, generally more talented
Read MoreBack to the Music
Felt good to be a semi-functioning member of society again. A few hours was about all I could stand, but it’s a start. Alan endured a delay-ridden drive to Wolf Trap this morning, and we ran through the entire program this afternoon. Ended up making some tweaks to the order to help with the pacing,
Read MoreBe Careful What You Wish For
I’ve enumerated the reasons for my online existence, one of which is to keep getting the word out there that my world (of opera, chamber music, symphony…) is a great place to be. Classical music is not “good for us” like medicine (ah, medicine, dear to my heart at this particular moment, but more on
Read MoreWhine whine whine
Trying to honor my promise to post at least 3 times a week, but I may have to fall short. Irritating medical/dental things this week… now have some sort of lymph node imfection that’s puffing up my neck. (I am Jeremiah the Bullfrog.) I know, T.M.I. But I have this perverse obsession with proving I’m
Read MoreThe Big Birthday Week
The inescapable Mozart mania will be heartily embraced by some and barely tolerated by others who resent the flood of words and notes that will be unleashed on the birthday boy this week. As happens so frighteningly often, I find myself in the middle. (More on that in a later post.) Heard Jane Glover speaking
Read MoreThe "Off" Season…
I’ve been silent for too many days, trying to dig myself out of what appears to be a bottomless well of administrative tasks. I’m afraid I’m surfacing mostly to whine. Don’t say you weren’t warned. What Do You Do in the Winter?Q: Where do you work?A: Wolf Trap.Q. That must be a great job. What
Read MoreNew York
In New York for the Chamber Music America conference. Talking business all day, so it’s up to the Tkts 50% off booth for a theatre ticket for tonight. Going to “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”. Art & Entertainment WarsLots of spirited discussion at the conference about the difference between “art music” and “popular
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