Now that it's done...

I've started a blog!

What a season its been: I started out by making my directorial debut at Stony Brook University (20th century opera scenes by Britten, Weill, and Stravinsky) and still had time to cover Bertha in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Madame Podtochina's Daughter in The Nose, both at the Metropolitan Opera.

You know, covering roles at such an important opera house (or anywhere, really) is sometimes more nerve-wracking than actually singing the role. Case in point: I was called in to sing the very first musical rehearsal this Fall, because my doppleganger was ill. Being a good girl, I had learned my role as Bertha backwards and forwards, so I wasn't worried. Until. Half way thru the first act finale I realize that Rosina and Bertha SWITCH of vocal parts, leaving ME to rely on my Eastman-cultivated sight-reading skills, and go along for the ride.

You may ask, "Jen, why didn't you know that?" and the answer is simple: I'd never done a Bertha before, and it wasn't in my contract. So the lesson here kiddies, is when you prepare a Rossini, or frankly, any Bel Canto role, find out where the traditional cuts are, if there are any vocal switches (i.e. The Susanna/Countess flip in the Marriage of Figaro Trio...) and finally, be a good sport. If, in front of the maestro and my colleagues, I had freaked out about not knowing about the switch, it would only make ME look bad. Do the best you can in those situations- trust me, things like this happen all the time and it's how you handle yourself that makes the difference.

Thus, my first musings as a cover! I hope to shed some more insight as the blog goes on, along with fun happenings in the real world. Enjoy the blog, and thanks for visiting!