posted by nathan at 6:44 AMJanuary 15th, 2010

Recitals

After the master class this morning Julie and I will be heading back home. It was a quick trip to San Francisco for a recital in Herbst Hall and then across the country to North Carolina for a recital at Wake Forrest University. It felt good to get back on the recital stage, a place where I feel very comfortable and can focus entirely on the text and on the music. For so many singers out there the recital stage is a scary place (understandable), but I strongly suggest that they get used to it. Better yet, become friends with it. I used to joke about going to my "happy place" when things weren't going so well, when I was bored, or when having to endure some sort of assault on my mind or body. I think, though, that my actual "happy place" is in the recital.
Almost a year ago I had a very traumatic thing happen to me. I was the focus of a personal attack. I'm still not over it and I probably never fully will be. That very same day I gave a recital of some of my favorite songs by Schubert. The security I felt being on the stage and sinking into the music helped me get through that day. Thanks Franz :)