Monday, monday......

Hi all!

So this was an interesting day to say the least-rather I had an interesting audition experience. Let me preface this by saying a few things: this experience is now one of my fondest memories...I'm spoiled rotten by the calibur of talent that exists at Lyric and I take for granted that any accompanist can read Strauss.

Alrighty then. So here's the story. I sang an audition today for several European directors...I don't know what houses and so on so don't ask me. :) I didn't bring my audition rep....I know, I know...bad choice. However, Gabe was supposed to come this last weekend, but as you all know a volcano erupted and he couldn't make it out. So Gabe spent hours scanning in my music and sending page by page to me....but I couldn't open any of it. :(

So I emailed the manager at Prague Opera who set this up and he said he could get scores for me....which I should have done on Friday...and made copies...so on and so on. Rehearsal started at 10am so I went in early-took my dress and shoes and pantyhose and all that good stuff and warmed up. I excused myself from rehearsal at 11am-got dressed and headed downstairs to the stage. Now the language barrier here hasn't been too big of an issue. Until today. I greeted the stage manager (who spoke pretty good English) and he introduced me to my accompanist-who shook her head "no" as soon as she saw the Ariadne score. She couldn't play it. She talks to the stage manager in Czech and I'm told that maybe the other accompanist can play it for me....so I wait for him to finish playing the audition on stage and then ask him. He says "oh Zerbinetta?" "no-Ariadne." (with a sweet smile on my face) He tells me he doesn't really know it but will do his best. He gestures to go upstairs so we can run it real quick....before I'm on in 3 minutes....

We go to a practice room upstairs and don't even make it halfway through when the stage manager pokes his head in and tells us it's time. Walk out on stage and the accompanist announces to the audience (in Czech) that he doesn't know the piece too well so bear with him and all...the audience chuckles. In my head, I'm chuckling too. I knew the second I walked out on that stage that this was gonna be one of my fondest audition memories. Let me add here that I also had Ernani to sing but I tried to explain to the accompanist about the cuts and he grunted at me somewhat and gestured the book away...so I took that as a sign that he didn't know how to play that....language barrier. I don't think we understood each other-he spoke broken English and I think I was talking to fast or something...he did say in so many words that people don't sing a lot of Strauss and Wagner at auditions over here. Ummmm......well-that's half my list. So....yyyeeeeaaaahhhhhh. (said in a long slow way) :)

Anyway-I announced my name and piece and sang. I feel like I sang well-considering the circumstances and such....it was dreadful playing from the accompanist...he did the best he could-I know it wasn't easy for him either. I get done singing and thank the audience and head offstage and I hear a "one moment please. We'd like to hear the Ernani." Funny thing-I don't have it. I didn't say that, but that's exactly what I thought....I apologized profusely and explained how last minute the audition was and such....and then tried to make my way off stage without bursting into laughter at the sheer silliness of the situation! Ahhhhh.....there really isn't a dull moment in this career :) I thanked the accompanist and tried to express my gratitude to him for how awkward that all was...and I apologized to Dolansky (the production manager who set it up) and made sure he knew to tell the panel how sorry I was....he said not to worry that I sufficiently blew them away with the one piece. So I was satisfied. :)

As I stated earlier in this blog, I'm spoiled at Lyric. We are surrounded by amazing coaches and pianists who can play ANYTHING and some of them even have rep memorized! It's incredible!!! I walked away with a renewed sense of appreciation for the coaching staff at Lyric. :)

Rehearsal went well today. It's so awesome being in the role and not covering....I love our director and the whole atmosphere in our rehearsals is fun and enjoyable....I'm up and down on the floor a lot so today, knee pads were passed out.....it helped. I keep stepping on my rehearsal skirt when I get up from the floor and I look like an idiot...I know I do....I'll keep working with the skirt until I can finesse that move off the floor :)

Hope you all had a great Monday-if you are on skype, add me....I'm hotpinkdiva80....it's been great being able to connect with you all everyday...makes home feel not so far away :)

Love love love!!!

A