Dusti and I went to see Carmen last night. It was a beautiful production - one of the best that I have seen at the Kansas City Lyric Opera. Micaela was my favorite - but Carmen was amazing and Don Jose got better as the night went on. Of course, everyone knows the music, and if you don't think you do, you're wrong. Overture to Carmen, Habanera, and the Toreador Song are very very famous. If you haven't heard these before, you probably can't hear - they are THAT famous. Here are three other parts of the opera that are some of my favorites: The Flower Song, The Gypsy Song, and the Sequidilla. There is also a dance with castanets called "Je vais danser..." and I'm not posting a link because many of the videos are pretty risqué - but it is gorgeous if you want to look for that on your own. Anyway, It was a very a fun and tragic evening.
After the opera was over, we went to the car and started driving away. We didn't get but 3 blocks and the car died in the middle of the intersection of 13th and Central in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. I called the non-emergency police number and it took them almost an hour to respond! We had to get the car towed and it is in the shop as we speak. Apparently, the alternator failed...so hopefully we can get that fixed quickly and Dusti can be back in her car. That means, for the moment, I'm the chauffeur...yay (read sarcastically).
Besides that, Dusti and I had a great week. I was able to visit my dad and grandparents in Salina this weekend. I sang for the folks at UUMC and gave them all a CD of some of the music I have performed while I worked there, as a thank you gift. They are some of the most generous people I know. Thank you so much for your warm welcomes, big hugs, and for being our "extended" family. The people at UUMC donated over $700 to build a scholarship for the Kansas City Vocal Institute. This will give several underprivileged children free music lessons here in Kansas City. Thank you so much for your generosity.
After singing there, I had to rush (and I mean rush) back to Kansas City to make a choir concert. We sang for several area high schools as part of a choir clinic day called "Cantate". Unfortunately, when I was running up to the Performing Arts Center from my car, my white bow tie fell and I lost it, so I had to fake-it and be the bozo standing up there without a white tie. Fortunately, all the men had white ties and shirts, so if you didn't know that I didn't have mine on, it was difficult to spot - like a choir version of Where's Waldo.
This week, I will be going to Manhattan to have a few meetings about SCI (Summer Choral Institute) and then go to the K-State vs. Nebraska game. SCI is a voice and choir camp that meets in the summer. It is completely free for the high school kids who are accepted, and is paid for by the Master Teacher Institute for the Arts. What a great program for these kids! I will be the administrator for SCI this summer, as I was last summer. I am really excited to help.
As far as other upcoming events go, I have already applied to audition for the Santa Fe Opera YAP and yesterday I mailed-in my audition for the Chautauqua Opera YAP in New York. I will keep you updated as to what auditions I am applying for, when/if I get auditions for them, and I will be posting some of my audition recordings for you to critique.
That's all for now, thank you for your support!
UPDATE! - Sorry, one more update! I just heard from David Cook, and he is donating to start a charity in his name for KCVI. To refresh your memory, he is from the Kansas City area and won American Idol in 2008. That's really exciting!
UPDATE! - Sorry, one more update! I just heard from David Cook, and he is donating to start a charity in his name for KCVI. To refresh your memory, he is from the Kansas City area and won American Idol in 2008. That's really exciting!
Upcoming concerts:
October 17, 2010 - Solo Performance of English Art Song - (will update as soon as I get the info)
October 19, 2010 - Choir Concert - White Recital Hall - 7:30
October 30, 2010 - KSU Alumni Choir Concert - St. Thomas Moore Church - Manhattan, KS - 2pm
November 10, 2010 - Singing Der Lindenbaum on John Mueter Presentation - Grant Hall 122 - 3pm
November 18-21, 2010 - The Dialogues of the Carmelites by Poulenc - Chevalier de la Force (cover) - White Recital Hall
November 30, 2010 - Choir Concert - Atonement Lutheran Church
December 7, 2010 - Monteverdi Vespers (400th Anniversary Concert) - Visitation Catholic Church (I will be auditioning for the tenor soloist)
March 17-20, 2011 - Don Giovanni by Mozart - Don Ottavio - White Recital Hall
April 23, 2011 - Gloria by Poulenc - White Recital Hall
Oh, no! The alternator?! Must run in families. Is it even going to be worth it having it replaced? I hope you didn't have to stay there the whole hour blocking traffic and were able to push it to the side of the road at least. Good thing it happened AFTER the opera.
ReplyDeleteYour Salina supporters were very generous.That's amazing!
One question: If you get selected for a YAP, is that for during the summer or for a whole year?
Yeah, they are replacing the belt too plus labor it's about $500.
ReplyDeleteThe YAPs are during times that I don't have any conflicts, so primarily summer. I would like to work at the Lyric Opera next year, but those auditions aren't until January. That way, I can do the opera thing, and stay at home! (fingers crossed)
David Cook. WooHoo! Did you get to talk to him in person too?
ReplyDelete