Thursday, March 23, 2006

It’s official

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:

Princess Alpenrose said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

Bravissima! You rock!

Anonymous said...

So, so awesome! Congratulations!

- EB

Anonymous said...

Mazel tov! :)

Patty said...

Woo hoo to you! Absolutely wonderful news. Congratulations.

Now if only I could get to NYC sometime while you're there ....

Paul G. McCurdy said...

Yay! Wish I could be there to hear you! Hmm, maybe I can...

Anonymous said...

Holy Moly!

I couldn't be happier for you!

Anonymous said...

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!

Lisa Hirsch said...

This is fantastic. I am so happy for you!

Sarah said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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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