A quick update

The first day of rehearsal is over and done, and it went very well. I had some nerves in the morning – the chorus and most of the orchestra has performed this piece many many times, so I knew they would be listening with discerning (and opinionated!) ears. I passed the test, though! I got a thumbs-up from Mo. Spano at the end of my second piece, “Lua descolorida,” a beautiful and poignant movement for soprano and strings Also called the “Aria of Peter’s Tears,” it expresses the remorse and sadness that Peter feels after being caught denying that he knows Jesus. I find it absolutely heartbreaking…

I also had a member of the chorus tell me that other choristers were saying that watching me sing was a “singing lesson,” since my breathing technique is fairly apparent! I’m not sure if it’s that I’m thin or that I really breathe differently, but I’m always getting comments like that. It used to make me really self-conscious, but I’ve decided to go with it. I can’t change how I breathe or how I’m built!

There were two films crews at this afternoon’s rehearsal, filming for different TV segments about Osvaldo. Not sure who or when or what, but if I’m going to be on TV, I’ll let you know! They were, of course, mostly focused on Osvaldo, but at the end of rehearsal I had to do a sound check, and they happened to be nearby. I sang the last phrase of “Lua,” which is very high and floaty, and both cameras were about two feet from my face! There was a big boom mike at my waist, and both Bob and Osvaldo were nearby, too, watching and listening intently. I can only imagine what those cameras captured as my mouth was wide open for that high C!

I’m off to a dinner with Atlanta Symphony associates this evening. Then lots of sleep tonight, if I can force myself to turn off the Olympics…