Thursday, October 25, 2007

mi-amor mi-ami

My heart was becoming more and more cheerful as I packed my next-two- months of stuff, getting ready for Miami.
And my heart rejoiced as I landed in this very much missed summer. And out of me came a deep cry of joy, out-loud, as I merged my entire body with the warm and soft marshmellow waves.
Nobody was around, but a sun about to set and a little salty moon in the distance , some pink and grey indecisive clouds.
I was the definition of happiness.
Why do I feel so content here? is it the climate which is so familiar? the same hot breeze and the same heat which were the oxygen of my childhood? the same bushes and flowers and trees I used to know so well?
is it the lazy slow- dance-like air which makes you believe that, no matter what duties you might have to fulfill, you are still allowed to retire, give in to pleasure, give yourself back?
The constant feeling that at the end of the day, (whatever it might have been), you (whoever you are) still deserve, (no matter what), that sensual feeling; sitting outside , surrounded by beat, people, dim lights, and the promise that mother sea is just around the corner, watching over you.
Is it that all elements can sometimes simply embrace you and make you feel that you've done good and good is being done to you?
Out my window, there's a bay so blue, and little lights far away.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Switchen Sie

I am amazed to report, that I experience absolutely NO jet lag after landing back in New York. I just had all meals on time, and slept like a baby during regular night hours.
A good thing, since I start rehearsals in two days. I literally had just about enough time to get all my winter clothes out the suitcase, and refill it with 2 pairs of bating suits a straw hat, beach towels (and then, some other summer dresses) since I am going into summer again, yay!
I seem to switch between Carmen and Dorabella, winters and summers, like AM sneakily turns into PM, but it's OK by me.
I loved seeing some of the amazing views of New Zealand (especially on my last free day there, where we were taken on a private helicopter scenic tour!), and now I am off to one of my favorite places to be working at: Miami! (hot hot hot!).

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

A day after, a few before.

I am entering my 7th week away from home, and the very last one on this trip. After 5 I usually get a little anxious and pretty much home sick. True, I have set a life here , that means: cooking, laundry, supermarkets, gym routine, sleeping pattern, friends and outings. Yet, after 5 weeks I am starting to miss what I left behind, and by the sixth, I am starting to pack up and day dream of home.
Opening night went great for everybody. The audience here truly sense that they are in for a treat, and every show night, there's that festive feeling in the air, there's a new show full of surprises, (like I like it: living, breathing art), and then there's an extremely gratifying bow call for all of us. :)
For this run, we decided to use my own hair extensions which I brought with me. (I learnt to travel to my Carmen gigs with: my castanets, my corset, my bra pads, my entire make up kit, and with my own stage hair extensions, just in case),and I also opted to do my own makeup. (usually I am provided with the company's extensions/ wig, and with a makeup person, but here, in a newly-born opera company with a large cast and a shortage of personnel, I decided to help out and practice my stage makeup knowladge).
I actually quite like it; By painting my own face, I am in charge of what I look like, and I also find it calming, almost meditative.
It is raining today, on my day off. Exhaused and pretty happy, I am staring at the TV then slowly drifting away, starting to think about life ahead.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Ready for tomorrow

The cough has slowly left me. At the final rehearsal before the dress, I was still sounding pretty hoarse, but being quiet afterwards, not giving up to the tempting idea of drinking alcohol with the rest of my cast, and sleeping enough, I finally have gained my power back, and the dress rehearsal went well, I though.
The entire past week, in between rehearsals I was giving many interviews to the local television, radio, papers, (" you ARE famous!" called the trainer at my gym who was so very excited to find me in the news), and on my day off , we went to the wonderful place called Akaroa, tucked between lakes and mountains, where we enjoyed some awesome fish and chips (or as they say here: "Fush 'n Chups"), and, sono contenta.
I now understand why a colleague of mine divides his busy operatic schedule equally between major, world class high paying opera companies, and then, between much smaller ones; This is the answer I came up with: It is at the later, where you can release the pressure a bit and restore your confidence!
My friend could sing his heart out ( and indeed he's most talented!) in some world's famous- big city -hotshot -opera house only to get almost ignored by the jaded, seen-it-all management / press / audience.
Or he can sing in smalltown, nowheredia, and as it is so much more raw in a way, and new, and exciting for everyone, my friend could move the entire place into tears of joy with the sheer sound of an honest, heartfelt song. (This special feeling, I can still remember from singing at an old people's home, or at a church; The pure giving, to people who are there to receive, not to judge.)
This must be the reason this colleague of mine is mixing his venues so frequently, and being here, on the other side of the world, I realize that singing for 1200 people, in an opera company run by 3, can still be so gratifying.
I actually feel appreciated. And that makes me want to sing out , and sing well.