Back to Munich

It’s great to be back in Munich. I arrived just a few hours ago and am already settled in for a rather short stay (I’ll be here just 7 nights). I’ve spent so much time in this city over the years and always enjoy being back in Bavaria. Great memories abound here and I hope for more wonderful remembrances from this performance of “Siegfried” that awaits. It’ll be interesting putting this onto the stage with so little rehearsal but I’ve done this type of thing many times in the past. Sometimes, the best performances are the ones where you’re on your toes a bit more than normal.Last week’s semi-staged concert performances of “Bluebeard’s Castle” in San Francisco were truly exciting and very successful. It was wonderful to work with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Michael Tilson Thomas. Michelle DeYoung was a great Judith and the response from the audience was thrilling. Even with doing our staging from basically behind the orchestra, I think the drama and true music theater exploded out into the audience. The staff of the orchestra were also so accommodating and helpful during the ten days. I’ll long remember this project with a warm heart.And speaking of warm, the weather sure has been that, hasn’t it? I LOVE hot weather but I know it is a great inconvenience to many. The east coast and mid-west have been boiling these last few days (but wow, was it chilly in San Francisco last week). The warm weather has even made it to Bavaria and welcomed me upon arrival. Summer is here. And, after this performance of “Siegfried” is completed next Friday night, I’ll be able to enjoy it as well. I’m so looking forward to it.

Nice to be back in San Francisco

After a few weeks off, I’ve returned to screaming rhythmically on pitch. Rehearsals began today for our concert performances of “Bluebeard’s Castle” with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. I LOVE this piece. It’s been nearly 5 years since I last sung the title role in Spain and before that, it was way back in 2001. The piece doesn’t come around near often enough for my tastes. From what I heard today and from what I’ve heard about how this is being presented, it should be an awesome experience and I look forward to the three concerts next week.It is great to be back in San Francisco. In the 90’s, I spent a lot of time in this gorgeous city singing in “Tosca”, “Boris Godunov”, “Fidelio”, “Elektra” “Peter Grimes”, “The Ring”, and “Wozzeck”. My last appearance here, however, was in 1999. I’ve missed so much about this unique place and am happy to have these 10 nights in Northern California while rehearsing and performing this opera.Since getting home from Toronto nearly 3 weeks ago, things have been even more hectic than normal at HeldHaus. School wound down for our children and one graduated from High School (another from Junior High). It seems that, most of the time, we were just watching ourselves fly in and out of the door over and over. However, these were great days and time was so enjoyed with friends and family. After I finish up here in San Francisco, I’ll only have a few days off before heading to Munich for a short trip. I am SO ready for a much looked forward to break which comes in July. It’s been a long and wonderful season. But it’s time to turn the mind off for a few weeks, rest the voice and prepare for next year’s exciting projects---and there are some very exciting things ahead.