I am covering Frasquita in Amore Opera's Carmen next month. The experience has been very fun- beautiful music, fun colleagues; and, bonus- when I am not singing the role, I am helping Amore Opera in the production aspect by being an associate producer. Of course, when a singer takes on the role to participate in an opera- it's a dream! Yeah- finally- on stage and working with colleagues and being submersed in music. But then...I went to my Art Song Preservation Society meeting this past Saturday and oh-Faure! oh-Duparc! oh-Wolf! oh-Debussy! My friends- my constant companions- how I have been neglecting you!
So how does one do it- have a full time job, volunteer at 2 non profit music organizations, learn Violetta, learn Frasquita and then find 30 minutes to sit down and reacquaint myself with my old pals? Not to mention continually working on my "5" (five arias) for any auditions that may spring up. Don't I have friends and a boyfriend, too (oh- and a chest cold for 2 weeks)??
In my last post I wrote about the irony of insomnia. Now, I am sleeping fine and accomplishing a lot in my day. But, it's never enough because there is so much MORE I want to do and learn! When I am not reading about World War II Paris France, I am listening to Elly Ameling (or Sufjan Stevens) on my ipod, or memorizing Frasquita at a rapid pace and continually reading through my Traviata score.
Honestly, it's fantastic and I can't imagine another way to be!
(well, if I were living in the 1800s there would be less songs and operas to learn- just think about that!!)
