It could be worse, I guess, but after a terrific concert in the Park last night my plans have been derailed by the weather. All flights are canceled out of La Guardia which means that I can't get home in time to get my son and head out camping before his "real" summer camp starts. Boo for the weather and boo to the airlines :(
Well, it looks like I'm back to work as of tomorrow.... well, sort of. I and a number of other wonderful colleagues of mine including Josh Bell, Jeremy Denk, Sting and his wife Trudy are performing "Twin Spirits" the day after tomorrow at Lincoln Center. It's a dramatic glimpse into the life of Robert and Clara Schumann. I can hardly call that work. It's much more like having fun :)
So, what is the correct punishment for a dog that eats part of your cello? A time out? A slap on the paw and a fine? No doggie treats for a week?
Bad dog! Bad dog!
After spending a wonderful night in Chicago singing, drinking, chatting, and eating at the Ryan's home (and in that order) I've been in Champaign enjoying time at home. I'm affectionately called "yard-boy" by Julie now, and have reacquainted myself with all the ladies at "cardio-tennis".... it's more like "cardiac-tennis" but that's more of an opinion than a fact.
Life off stage is good. Seeing my neighbors and visiting, going to swim meets, riding my Triumph, running in the morning with my son and Nacho (the dog)..... all good. I even sing on occasion songs that I like JUST for fun!
Now, after a cup of coffee and reading some of the news, before anyone wakes up and the chaos begins (there are twelve people living in my house at the moment.... ROCK CAMP has started) I'm going to make my list for the day. AND I might not stick to it :)
It's been five years since I last performed with the opera here in Seattle and I'd forgotten something that is unique to the company. It seems like a small thing, but in this business where one travels more than one doesn't and where getting used to new cities and new routines is ... routine the small things are big. This "big" little thing is sweet and small and multicolored and comes in a dish that is left by the candy elf in our dressing rooms. It's as if the Seattle Opera has an "artist fairy" that comes to our dressing room in the middle of the night and leaves for it's guest artists hard candy in a dish in order to say, "well done last night and toi toi toi for tonight!" I just love that. I know it's a small thing and that this kindness has probably become "just something we do", but, well, so is a smile or a kiss ,and such things can really make a difference.
Thanks Seattle Opera :)
All the forces were present and elevated the opera from brilliant to heroic. Now, we move into the theater to incorporate the magic of lights, sets, costumes, and the ever important distance in order to make bring the performance of this opera back down to brilliant. For those of you that haven't done any research on the opera "Amelia" that is being premiered here in Seattle you don't know how big of an undertaking it is to tell this story. In two hours the relationships of nine characters is being told uninhibited by time and space so that the audience can empathize with Amelia and her mental state as she nears the birth of her first child.
I was struck by the number of characters necessary to make this happen. I was also moved by the complete commitment shown by everyone during that rehearsal.
I think we've created something quite good.
The neighborhood I'm living in here in Seattle seems to have social justice on it's mind quite a lot, and this has got me to wondering.... why? It's the fifth stage of the third level of moral development according to Kohlberg; the sixth is "virtue is it's own reward" kind of behavior or a universal moral principal. There is no seventh stage of moral development that I know about. Maybe it's becoming once again like children, except choosing to.....
This all deserves much more thought :)
"Amelia" is coming along beautifully under the care and direction of Stephen Wadsworth. It's my first time working with Stephen as a director, but it's as comfortable as an old pair of slippers.
The story itself is difficult to piece together: past and present overlap, dream and reality intertwine. It's amazingly clear, though, the way all those parts are being presented.
I'm so happy to be able to focus just on this piece of music for a while. I've felt a bit overwhelmed this spring, but have now caught my breath.
More about "Amelia" and her tumid belly anon .....
I made is to sunny Seattle! (just kidding.... about the sun that is).
I'm really looking forward into diving into this new piece, Amelia. Studying a piece of music alone is like shadow boxing... it's important in order to get ready for a match, but it just aint boxing.
Today, is my first day of rehearsal and I can't wait to experience how all the characters relate to one another. It's going to be fun.
I woke up this morning thinking about the last sentence I say in Paul's aria from "Amelia" (a new opera by Daron Hagen that is being premiered at Seattle Opera next month). The setting is this: Paul is in his wife's hospital room. Amelia, his wife, is nine months pregnant and is due at any time, but she is in a coma. The reason for this condition is a mystery to the doctors, but to the audience we may think that it has something to do with her mind needing to come to terms with the death of her father. Her father, Dodge, was killed (MIA) in a bombing mission in Vietnam. So, as Paul is sitting with Amelia quietly begging her to not die he finds a letter that Dodge had sent his wife and child before the bombing run. The letter reads as follows:
My two loves,
The grim reaper called today. It's go on the Haiphong power plant. I am leading eight planes and fully expect heavy opposition. I am at peace within myself. I have no fear but write for reality's sake. If I'm shot down and should eject please, please know that I will bear whatever lies ahead. If I am lost do not despair. Keep faith. Go forward. Never forget how thankful I am and how happy you have made me.
You deserve every good thing in life, especially, love. So leave the doors open.
I love you always,
Dodge
So, I'm wondering why "I love you always" sounds "funny" to me. I suppose because the letter is sort of a "goodbye" letter that I think he should say, "I'll love you always". If the phrase were "I always love you" or "I'll always love you" or "I've always loved you" it gives a completely different meaning to the letter. "I've always loved you" to my ears implies that he was perhaps a cold man and had never said it before..... "I'll always love you" seems to mean that he'll love them both beyond the grave. "I always love you" is a bit mushy and sounds just "wrong" to my ears.
So, we're left with "I love you always" meaning I love you, I loved you and I will love you, but doesn't have that "goodbye" feeling that the letter implies OR just "I love you".
These are the things I think about :)
At the moment I think the simpler salutation is the more effective choice.