Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Belgrade dragon tale

So, I am here, in the home town of the infamous Dragana Jugovic, who is best known for her Youtube video "Drunk Carmen" .

If you haven't watched it yet, well... you might get a shock. But anybody that *I* know, have seen this, the link has been passed around cyber world like a giant joint everybody wants a little drag of... It's a party piece for every cast (*especially* after a few drinks!) and people have been simply amazed.

Well, I am here and I decided I have to get down to the bottom of this pathetic, awesome, funny and heart breaking accident.
WHAT HAPPENED ?

My very good Serb- singer friend, knows.
So listen up: She had a fight with her husband (well currently Ex) right before the concert.
She had a drinkypoo or two. She claims that something was slipped into it. Certainly, there WAS a pill (or a few) involved, Knowingly or not. She went on. She sang an entire aria (Dalila?) which went alright. For the Carmen duet however, the drugs kicked in. The artistic director got fired.
It's simply beautiful.
Dragana is doing well. thank you for asking.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

after and right before

Where can I start? I've been so busy since I got back , that I really didn't have a second for anything. A long time ago, I committed my self to a set of concerts , recital- style with the lovely New York festival of Song (one of the only organizations here left devoted to the art of song). I knew that I was going to be up to my head with Carmen, with not enough quality leisure work time for the recitals, but I agreed anyway (for some hard condense work) because I have the utmost appreciation for the pianists who lead (and play on) the series, and for what they stand for.
At any rate, that's what was going on right from the very next day after my last Carmen show; Rehearsing and performing!
I actually like it because I never got a chance to sink into the normal dip of light depression after a big opera job is done.
Being exhausted and still running, is the best way to forget about how amazing was my previous experience and how usual life can seem without it.
I also had to do a surprise special audition which went as surprisingly well...
I am now getting ready to fly to Belgrade for a concert, short of a week, (singing Ravel), and then directly back into a Carmen production, this time in New Orleans! Back to packing.