Too Many Sopranos

In the middle of dress week, I'd like to announce that I've been having a great time with this opera (Too Many Sopranos) and if you find the idea of the stereotypical opera singer at all funny, you'll definitely enjoy this show.

The story begins in heaven, where a heavenly choir is being put together. Unfortunately, they can only take one soprano at a time, so four different sopranos who are there (a mezzo-soprano, a coloratura soprano, a dramatic soprano, and a soubrette) must audition for the spot. All four fighting for the spot, they all must descend to hell to try to do a self-less act and bring back some tenors and basses, as the heavenly choir doesn't have enough men, due to their sinful pasts. Then more sopranos will be able to be taken into the choir.

Act 2 the sopranos are in hell, and meet four tortured men--Enrico Carouser, an Un-named Bass, Nelson Deadly, a librettist, and Orson, a director. The sopranos are having a hard time doing a self-less act, and a messenger from Heaven "the Sandman" (who's got a bipolar personality) gives them a task to complete. If they do it, all will be well, and they can return to heaven.

So, that's the basic idea, and it's really funny. It's not the stuffy or boring opera experience that may torture some opera goers--so stop on by the MAC this (or next) weekend for this great composition, from our very own Edwin Penhorwood. It's a double bill with Busoni's Arlecchino, which runs an hour, and is on first. I'm on this Saturday and next Friday (Feb 3/9) if you want to see my in my bi-polar glory.

trying to get motivated...

I'm a slug. Sloth. Lazy energy-less person.

This morning is the first morning of the semester I've managed to wake up at my old standard time (6:15) to be able to take a slow morning approach and get to school by 8am for my 2 hours of practice before class.

For some reason, I'm not dying at this moment, but perhaps that's because I've switched out my decaf for a lovely Large mug of regular. Tasty, tasty. Anyhow, perhaps also my longer days due to opera rehearsals have left me feeling more motivated and part of something. I think the busier I am the better I feel. It doesn't help, however, when I'm sort-of busy with things that aren't so fun, and then all I want to do is sit around.

Plus there's so much planning to do for just 6 months away, when my life will be completely different...in a great way, but also a scary one. My first time since age 2.5 that I won't have been in school for at least a few hours a week. The first time I'll be permanently living with someone other than family (but not for long!!!) in an apartment smaller than ~750 square feet. I fear that my lack of structure will lead me to a less constructive practice schedule--but considering Andy practices from 7-8am and then a few hours after work, I'm sure he'll keep me focused. We'll never see each other, but at least we'll be working and practicing and rehearsing! Haha. The joys of a young married life, not to mention the life of musicians for decades.

Anyhow, on a brighter note (with a twinge of jealousy) my mom's started her Aruban vacation this past Sunday, and while it snows here, she's got her feet deep in the sand, soaking in the sand and salt and swimming with all the gorgeous fish. Sigh. One more year, and I'll be there too!

Before I miss the bus, and dash my plan for a very productive morning, I best be off. If I don't write again until post-production, come check out the first opera of the New Year--Feb 2/3 and 9/10 (Adonis and I are in 3 and 9). My role is small, and my entrance is at the very last twenty minutes or so, but it's fun and definitely not the standard opera fare :)

So this year though I've felt like I'm not 100% involved in anything (half at school, half at work, still in Bloomington, yet knowing I'll be leaving soon, etc.) important life markers are still keeping me on my guard:

Tomorrow I start my last semester of school. Ever. It took me long enough. Had I followed my original educational intentions, I'd be in my last year of med school (had I made it this far). I can't imagine it possible that I've learned as many things following this musical path, but I know that I'm following what I love and hope to make some kind of difference in the lives of others. I'll certainly have to be a lot harder-working at find jobs, and I know that despite the hard work and unbelievable intelligence and constant blood sweat and tears of doctors, at least they have a stable life and should be able to find a job provided they continue to care. I don't know how we artists continue to stay strong amidst the constant rejections. My friends and I are working on that, and so far we're still positive. I've gotta say, it would be lovely to be recognized for working so hard...

I just turned a quarter of a century. That's a pretty big mark, I guess. It's exciting to not know where I'll be in another 5 years, and then 5 years after that. Hell, I don't know where I'll be in 2 years. Life's been great, though, and I can't say I regret anything so far in 25 years. I figure that at the moment of all my decisions, I never thought that they were bad ones, so why regret them after the fact if you didn't at that moment? All life experiences make you stronger, if you know how to look at them.

I got engaged at the minute I hit that quarter of a century mark. This certainly is something I never thought would happen anytime soon. In fact, my close friends mock me about it, considering at every opportunity I would mention how appalled I was that people I knew under 40 years old were getting married. I suppose it's my just rewards, and I couldn't be happier. And the amazing thing is, it doesn't seem like a scary, horrendous and awful thing after all. It doesn't feel like a life-changing, (or shall I say life-chaining event--it just feels right. Who knew?

I guess I can't follow up with anything more shocking and incredible at the moment. So, for now, Happy 2007 to all. I hope that by this time 2008 we feel even more fulfilled, more focused towards our goals, and have taken every opportunity to grow into the people we want to become.