Finally off the Boat

Since September 4, my time has been dominated by the opera “Peter Grimes”. Over the past two weeks, I completed this cruise with the opera via concert performances with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. We performed the opera in St. Louis on November 16 and then at Carnegie Hall in New York this past Friday. It was an incredible experience, to say the least. I have longed enjoyed working this orchestra. Trips to St. Louis are always a joy for me (after all, I am a huge Cardinal fan) and to get to work with such an amazing group of musicians, an incredible Maestro, and wonderful singer colleagues--well, it doesn’t get much better than that. I enjoyed my time as Balstrode so much in Toronto in September and October. Great casts were in both productions. But having the chance to do the work at Carnegie Hall was one of those experiences that a singer, when their time on stage comes to an end, will cherish in his or long list of memories. Now, I have no intention of retiring any time too soon--but I know it will be hard to have too many performances outshine the sheer joy that came from everyone involved in the production as well as from the audience. It was just one of those nights--and I’m happy to have been a part of it.

So, now that I have a bit of a break, I plan on getting caught up around home, working on upcoming engagements, spending time with family and friends, and preparing for a little family event that has us on pins and needles. My oldest son is to be married at the end of December. We are very excited about this. It seems like just yesterday when my own bride and I were married. I can’t believe that it is now the time for our first to leave the nest. It will be a bit heart wrenching, I’m sure. But we are so very happy for him and his fianc
é. What a blessed event this will be.