It's so nice to be back home where I belong...
My my my, it’s been a while…but at least this time I kept my promise not to write in bullet format. Here goes:
Im wunderschönen Monat Mai
The month of May was a bit of a calm-before-the-storm of summer opera season. I attended a very delightful opera scenes program at WU (this semester was a “circus” theme-complete with dogs doing tricks, I kid you not) as well as a recital of mostly American songs/arias given by Emily Wilkins, a fellow Union Avenue Opera singer. Alison had her birthday at a breezy, scenic location in Forest Park! Towards the end of the month, I bade farewell to Debra for a few months, as she is currently involved in a summer apprenticeship program with Central City Opera in Colorado.
My parents could be seen very clearly in the studio audience of The Price is Right on its May 20th episode. Long story short: my dad asked my mom what she wanted to do for a va-ca at the end of April…to which she answered “to be in the audience on Price is Right!” and it was done. They flew out to LA on Tuesday, saw the show Wednesday, and flew back on Thursday. Neither of them got to “Come On Down!!!” but they had a great time, nonetheless! (During the audience shots, you can so see my mom looking around for the cameras…)
To end the month, I took a trip to good old Quincy, Illinois to see a production of L’Elisir d’Amore with Muddy River Opera Company. This production will be imported to Union Avenue this summer, complete with the same conductor/stage-director team and cast (except the Nemorino). I won’t go into a review of the show, other than to say that it the trip and opera was a pleasant experience and a wonderful opportunity to meet up with some folks I don’t see much anymore. Best of all, I went out afterwards and partied with the cast. Partying? Fun. Leaving Quincy at 2:30am powered solely by an energy drink that kept me up till 6am? Not so fun…but practical.
Yes We Can!
I made my first ever contribution to a political campaign tonight. I’ve been an Obama supporter for quite some time, and after several (friendly) calls soliciting fundraising contributions over the past year or so, I finally said “Sure…where do most people start at?” I won’t reveal how much I gave, but given the way that Obama’s campaign has smartly amassed funds through several small private donations, let’s just say that I’ve added my voice to that particular chorus.
Yes, I am an Obama supporter. He strikes me as a progressive leader with many accomplishments in his public service to the Illinois and US Senate. Furthermore, his ideas and stances harmonize so much more with me than with John McCain. Truth be told, I would have been just as happy with Hillary Clinton as the nominee. She isn’t too far off from Obama on the issues, and she has grown quite tough over the years (dealing with asshole republicans obsessed with a stain on a blue dress instead of substantive American issues can do that to you, I ‘spose). Unfortunately, for her, the delegate/super-delegate math just didn’t add up.
I have read about, heard of and witnessed some ardent Clinton supporters threatening to vote for John McCain. Some have even gone all “angry prophet” on our asses by warning us that McCain will be our next president if Clinton isn't the nominee. Exhibit A. Behaviors such as this (see lady in Exhibit A) piss me off because they, in essence, helps to further the stereotype of Democrats as unhinged sore losers. More importantly, these behaviors serve only to fracture a party sorely in need of unity. And seriously...are these particular supporters that masochistic to accept another four (or even eight) years of the same old Bush crap? There's got to be some party unity... and I'm not asking for us to film a coke-commercial here...just something to get the job done. I don’t believe that unity has to (or will even) come in the form of Clinton as a VP nominee…but I’m certain that Obama will think of some way to help mend fences after an oft-nasty primary season. He’s a smart man.
Ok, that’s as political as I will get… for a while… cuz trust me, I could have gone on for many more paragraphs... ;)
Opera Season
Rehearsals for summer opera season with UAO start tomorrow night with a musical rehearsal for Carmen. The music isn’t so intimidating, but all the words are. This will be my first opera experience en français (my last Carmen was in English), so I am intimidated by the words…and how fast (and high) some of them must be declaimed. Oh yeah…this is my first official Tenor gig as well. Eeek? Elixir choristers begin musical rehearsals on Monday. More on the UAO season as it develops.
Until my next entry…which won’t be at the beginning of June…
Im wunderschönen Monat Mai
The month of May was a bit of a calm-before-the-storm of summer opera season. I attended a very delightful opera scenes program at WU (this semester was a “circus” theme-complete with dogs doing tricks, I kid you not) as well as a recital of mostly American songs/arias given by Emily Wilkins, a fellow Union Avenue Opera singer. Alison had her birthday at a breezy, scenic location in Forest Park! Towards the end of the month, I bade farewell to Debra for a few months, as she is currently involved in a summer apprenticeship program with Central City Opera in Colorado.
My parents could be seen very clearly in the studio audience of The Price is Right on its May 20th episode. Long story short: my dad asked my mom what she wanted to do for a va-ca at the end of April…to which she answered “to be in the audience on Price is Right!” and it was done. They flew out to LA on Tuesday, saw the show Wednesday, and flew back on Thursday. Neither of them got to “Come On Down!!!” but they had a great time, nonetheless! (During the audience shots, you can so see my mom looking around for the cameras…)
To end the month, I took a trip to good old Quincy, Illinois to see a production of L’Elisir d’Amore with Muddy River Opera Company. This production will be imported to Union Avenue this summer, complete with the same conductor/stage-director team and cast (except the Nemorino). I won’t go into a review of the show, other than to say that it the trip and opera was a pleasant experience and a wonderful opportunity to meet up with some folks I don’t see much anymore. Best of all, I went out afterwards and partied with the cast. Partying? Fun. Leaving Quincy at 2:30am powered solely by an energy drink that kept me up till 6am? Not so fun…but practical.
Yes We Can!
I made my first ever contribution to a political campaign tonight. I’ve been an Obama supporter for quite some time, and after several (friendly) calls soliciting fundraising contributions over the past year or so, I finally said “Sure…where do most people start at?” I won’t reveal how much I gave, but given the way that Obama’s campaign has smartly amassed funds through several small private donations, let’s just say that I’ve added my voice to that particular chorus.
Yes, I am an Obama supporter. He strikes me as a progressive leader with many accomplishments in his public service to the Illinois and US Senate. Furthermore, his ideas and stances harmonize so much more with me than with John McCain. Truth be told, I would have been just as happy with Hillary Clinton as the nominee. She isn’t too far off from Obama on the issues, and she has grown quite tough over the years (dealing with asshole republicans obsessed with a stain on a blue dress instead of substantive American issues can do that to you, I ‘spose). Unfortunately, for her, the delegate/super-delegate math just didn’t add up.
I have read about, heard of and witnessed some ardent Clinton supporters threatening to vote for John McCain. Some have even gone all “angry prophet” on our asses by warning us that McCain will be our next president if Clinton isn't the nominee. Exhibit A. Behaviors such as this (see lady in Exhibit A) piss me off because they, in essence, helps to further the stereotype of Democrats as unhinged sore losers. More importantly, these behaviors serve only to fracture a party sorely in need of unity. And seriously...are these particular supporters that masochistic to accept another four (or even eight) years of the same old Bush crap? There's got to be some party unity... and I'm not asking for us to film a coke-commercial here...just something to get the job done. I don’t believe that unity has to (or will even) come in the form of Clinton as a VP nominee…but I’m certain that Obama will think of some way to help mend fences after an oft-nasty primary season. He’s a smart man.
Ok, that’s as political as I will get… for a while… cuz trust me, I could have gone on for many more paragraphs... ;)
Opera Season
Rehearsals for summer opera season with UAO start tomorrow night with a musical rehearsal for Carmen. The music isn’t so intimidating, but all the words are. This will be my first opera experience en français (my last Carmen was in English), so I am intimidated by the words…and how fast (and high) some of them must be declaimed. Oh yeah…this is my first official Tenor gig as well. Eeek? Elixir choristers begin musical rehearsals on Monday. More on the UAO season as it develops.
Until my next entry…which won’t be at the beginning of June…