An Inspiring Night of Barber!

Friday night was an incredible evening for me---filled with delicious food, fabulous company, and a perfect performance of Rossini's Barber of Seville. My friend and I went downtown Chicago for what we hoped would be an enjoyable evening. We were quite delighted that we were treated to a superb evening.

We started out at Emil's--which I highly recommend. A little pricey, but perfect for before-the-opera formal dining. I had Lake Superior White Fish with a citrus glaze, steamed vegetables, and a mixture of hummus, tomato, and artichoke dip. INCREDIBLE!!!!! The fish was topped with a thin layer of glaze, the citrus part coming from three thin slabs of lemon, orange, and grapefruit rounds. I believe my veggies were asparagus and carrots. The dip was fabulous. I have never had hummus! But I am now a fan of it! I ate every bite of fish and veggies on my plate. Mary had grouper, which she gave me a small bite of. (Don't worry, I shared as well, giving her a bite of my white fish). I did prefer my entree, but hers was good too. :) After dinner, we sat for an hour and talked over several cups of green tea. What a perfect way to end dinner! But then, I am an avid tea drinker. The company was truly enjoyable! I often forget how much I truly miss musical surroundings. We talked music, family, personal lives............everything. Covering several topics of conversation, we definitely got to know each other more. I truly respect my friend. What a blessing to have her in my life. Someone to learn from, as she is a very experienced, wise, well-rounded person; but also a fellow musician to share my field with.

After Emil's, we made our way over to Lyric Opera. It wa a full house. But the operahouse is such an inspiring place for me to be. Actually we were both very excited to be there, as we had been planning this trip for months. We were on the main floor, and we had opera glasses. We got our program and made our way to our seats. Perfect! We were right in front of the stage.

From the moment the overture started, I was in heaven. Here I was, able to be involved (even if just by ear) in what I love most on this earth, hearing top notch artists (Joyce DiDonato, Nathan Gunn, and John Osborne), viewing an opera that is close to my fach of voice. And never have I seen such a perfectly professional production!!!!! Literally in every way---from the staging, to the singing, to the acting, to the playing. And such athleticism. Rossini didn't write for wimps. It takes full athletic ability and strength to sing these roles. So it was good for me to see what will be required of me some day. Now I know why taking care of my body is to important. The coloratura in Barber is very demanding---fast and constant. But I heard every note. The staging was very complex----even when the main characters were doing their thing, the others on stage were still very much a part of the action. For instance, there was one moment when the tenor and soprano are singing of their love, and the two baritones are off to the side, playing a chess game in slow motion, so as not to distract. Fabulously done! Nathan Gunn is a top notch actor. He played Figaro. You humorously meet Figaro as he is getting up in the morning---in only his night shorts. And he played it up! Joyce DiDonato very cleverly gave us all sides of Rosina. And John Osborne held his own both vocally and wittingly!

Needless to say, I got home at midnight. Yes, it lasted three hours. But it was so well done, that it didn't seem like three hours. I could go the rest of my life and never see anything as good as that. Chicago definitely holds its own. And it was so inspiring to me as a young, aspiring artist. To know that that could be the end result of what I am working towards now. WOW!!!!!!!! I walked away with so many questions for my teacher! And I can't wait til tomorrow to ask her! How do they do that! How do they do it physically? How does her voice move that quickly without bumps? How does one become that involved in a character? How! How! HOW!!!!!!!

I can say that I truly felt honored to have heard these men and women sing! I know that sounds trite and shallow coming from a nobody! But what a privilege to share in their art! What a goal they have given me to reach for!

Well, I must go now! This looks to be a busy week for me. My students are giving a studio recital! I have a little work left to do on it! They are all so excited! I am so glad to have been able to give them this opportunity. I will hopefully be performing a few pieces of my own. I'll let you know how it goes!