Good Things Happen.... Fast Recently I have been wondering about the idea of keeping a blog as a young tenor. Restricting myself to writing about my musical life (and random bits of code I've done for the website) makes for a dull and not often updated blog. As things tend to do, they go in spurts. It is very interesting, as I was just reading an article in this months Classical Singer about what to do with yourself when you have a summer where nothing comes from your many auditions. I had planned on spending the time finishing wedding plans and getting married, not focusing as much on my singing, therefore limiting the auditions I would attend. I think it ironic that sometimes you try your best to do something and then nothing pans out, while at the same time, you plan on doing nothing and an opportunity springs from the ground.

When I woke on Wednesday morning for work, I had an e-mail from the Musical Director of Opera del West. She wanted to let me know that they were auditioning some tenors for a production of Gianni Schicchi they are doing in August. As this was a tremendous event, I was both excited and upset. I knew I would miss a lot of rehearsals for the wedding, so I replied and said that I would, regretfully, have to decline from the audition. To my surprise, she contacted me that afternoon and made it clear that she was still interested in having me sing. The next night I traveled to Boston and sang both "Che Gelida Manina" and "Una Furtiva Lagrima" for them.

This morning I received an e-mail from the Music Director. She had offered me the role of Rinuccio in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi for August and Don Ramiro (or Dan Marino according to my sister) from Rossini's Cenerentola in a scenes program this September. I have accepted both and have begun working on the parts fervently. Now, I am again studying hard, completely the opposite of how I envisioned my summer being. I never expected to bookend the wedding with rehearsals and a show, but at least now I can't complain about not having things to write about. I now begin my journey of being a Puccini tenor.

Moral of the Story - Never ever stop practicing, even when you think you are done for a while. You never know when you will be called for something the next night, leaving you scrambling for your most recent work. Take heed young singers.

- Gregory - ¶ 10:21 PM