The advantage of saying "crepi" over feeling "crappy"

Last night was my surprise premiere at the lovely Canadian Opera Company . I say surprise because only a week ago, I was picking my nose in New York and complaining about my life.
So this quick change was just what the doctor ordered- I flew in, I did cliff-notes rehearsals and then -bam- opening night.
What was returned to me, in a heart bit, was this immense joy I get when on stage.
Last night I decided to change my interpretation slightly- I wanted to add a different angle to my Carmen- which is more evident especially in act 4- after discussing the director's concept: I wanted to try take a more subtle approach where Carmen at the very end of her life still loves Jose, but decides to put on her tough face. (subtle, because more than anything, it's a tiny detail one can only notice very quickly in some passing moments, it's a nuance). So I added a bit more *noticeable* vulnerability to the mix, just to try it out, and it felt pretty good.
(You can see here what the *other* way to do it looks like- when my Carmen is decidedly shut to Jose's imploring).
At any rate- I am grateful to be here and be thrown into the water, which in fact is a refreshing fountain for my soul. Sounds poetic, but hey- when you feel content, poetry is one of the side effects.

surprises

So as life is- full of surprises, I find my self in Toronto, about to sing an open dress rehearsal of a show I have never rehearsed (well- I got about 3 hours of blocking, a full crazy run with orchestra and chorus and costumes, and another 3 hours of blocking!).
Having fought with a slight cold and a really filthy mood for a month, this is a sign of destiny's love which I greatly needed and fully appreciate. More later, but first- I need to go through some dialogue lines which I haven't done since 2004 and try to remember from where I enter, to whom I sing, how I dance what I say and how I die at the end .

New year, yay.

Happy new year my dear readers! Please accept my apologies for this big break I have been taking from writing. I kind of didn't have a great month (other than a few highlights of working with some very good people and meeting lovely new friends), but I have not had the pleasure of being on stage , in front of an audience, for too long it seems, and when that happens, I can't help but become a bit... well- negative; Not a good mode for blog writing.

I am very much looking forward to this new year- some interesting travel to places I love and miss (like Berlin and Tokyo), and a few new and old productions I am excited about. Next month I will most likely get me some refill of joy in my cup, and will spread some of it around! :)