Well, Anonymous, you keep asking, and now I can finally spill the beans! The Met made a firm offer today, and I accepted. I will be there for thirteen weeks next spring, mid-February to mid-May, working on small roles in two operas: Die Aegyptische Helena (Strauss) and Suor Angelica (part of Puccini’s “trilogy” of one act operas, Il Trittico). I am a cover for Elf #2 in the Strauss (Ian says I’m the “second second elf”) and I’ll be singing the role of Novice #1 in the Puccini. It’s definitely a one-liner role, but hey! It will be me, singing all alone, at THE MET!
After two months of wondering if it was just a dream, it feels so good to have something firm and “on paper.” I will be living – and making a living, a good living – in New York City for at least three months next season! Wow.
Some techincal info, for those who care: Generally, the less of a name a character has, the smaller it is; if my character were central to the action of the plot, I’d have a real name. So these are small roles, no matter what my jr. high drama teacher said about small roles vs. small actors. Novice #1 is classified by AGMA as a “Chorus Bit” role, meaning it is limited in size and scope, both musically and artistically, about 24 measures. If there were a chorus in Suor Angelica, it might be sung by a soprano from the chorus. Since there is not, it becomes a “Solo Bit” role, with everything the same except that I am a Soloist, not a Chorister.
Elf #2 is actually a larger role, classified as “Supporting.” I don’t know the opera (I can barely find a synopsis), so I don’t know what part the Elves (there are three) play in the action, but I imagine they could be similar to the three Nymphs in Ariadne. Smaller roles (the Nymphs are “Featured” roles, a step up from Supporting), but similar in function. We’ll see. Probably lots of ensemble singing (yummm), with maybe a solo phrase here and there.
As is to be expected, my castmates for these operas are out of this world: Deborah Voigt, Diana Damrau, and Jill Grove in the Strauss, with Fabio Luisi on the podium; Barbara Frittoli, Heidi Grant Murphy, and Stephanie Blythe in Suor Angelica, conducted by Maestro James Levine. Whoa. Are you kidding me??!!
See you in New York City!
13 comments:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! This is such awesome news. I'm so very, very happy for you!
You worked hard, stayed focused and positive, and now you are living The Dream.
We, your fellow singer-bloggers, support you every single note of the way.
Cheers!
Wahoo!
This is very exciting, of course. I'm hoping to make it to NYC for Aegyptische, as I am a big, big Strauss person. I may email you soon (revealing myself!) with some good reading and recording suggestions.
Congrats
Bravissima! You rock!
So, so awesome! Congratulations!
- EB
Mazel tov! :)
Woo hoo to you! Absolutely wonderful news. Congratulations.
Now if only I could get to NYC sometime while you're there ....
Yay! Wish I could be there to hear you! Hmm, maybe I can...
Holy Moly!
I couldn't be happier for you!
That's wonderful! As a fellow Seattleite (now New Yorker)I've been following your blog so long (in a lurker kind of way) that I feel like I have a stake in your career. And now I'll get to actually hear you.
Congratulations!
This is fantastic. I am so happy for you!
Kick ass!! Wow, what casts. DV is my fave. What a great experience that will be. Now, post some dates so your worldwide fans can flock to NYC!
I can't believe this will be the first time I've heard you live since high school show choir.
Congratulations! And of course it's your chance to show them what a hard-working conscientious reliable colleague you are, and thus get more contracts. I reckon!
Congratulations! You don't know me from Adam, but I've been reading the blog and am a former student of Vinson's (now studying with Elizabeth Hynes at USC). I wish you great luck in Santa Fe and in NYC! Look for a fabulous mezzo out of USC in the summer - Natasha Flores, and the tenor, Randall Bills. They're both characters but boy what voices ;)
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