There goes another week!!! EEEEEEK! This trip is flying by!
Monday, July 30 German Class/lunch as usual in the morning. In the afternoon we attended a masterclass with Christa Ludwig! She is about 86 now and she had a great career as a singer. There were five young singers in the masterclass clinic. 2 Mezzo sopranos, 2 tenors, and one Soprano all from different places in the world. For me, the masterclass was more of a "let's see how much German I can understand" experience than a "how can I improve my singing" experience. Although, I did understand when she was saying "zu laut" (too loud) and "simplice"...(Italian: simple).
After the masterclass, Bene and I walk back to the Lehrerhaus to drop off our school bags and compose ourselves before going back into town for the evening. On the way back to town, we saw this "little" guy:
He was a gigantic slug. One is cute. Just one. In town, Bene and I went to McDonald's and I got some coffee and then I walked by a window and found a special treat for my Mom! I can't afford to buy these...but pictures are priceless ;)
HI MOM!
Tonight was a live (ish... 1 hour delay) simulcast of "Die Zauberflöte" (the magic flute) by Mozart. There were more people in attendance than there were for Figaro. After what felt like an eternity, we FINALLY got some sunshine!!
It turned out to be a beautiful night for Die Zauberflöte. The production was a little strange but I enjoyed the music and the singing, and the Papageno was beautiful and was a joy to watch!
Tuesday, July 31
German/lesson/lunch/master class with Dr. Francois Germain.
After the masterclass I sprinted back to the Lehrerhaus! I showered and did my hair and glamorized as much as I could as quickly as I could. The masterclass got out at about 4:30, as it usually does, but I had tickets this evening for "Ariadne auf Naxos" so I had to get ready quickly! I got back to the Lehrerhaus at about 5 and we were getting the taxi at about 6:20 for a 7:00 show. That's not much time for me to shower, do hair, do makeup, and be ready! But I did it! And everyone who went looked gorgeous :) The show was wonderful! Really long... but great. We had seats that made seeing the show a little difficult. They were on the side so you had to turn in a little. But they were front row on the balcony so I didn't mind!
Wednesday, August 1 HAPPY AUGUST! I cannot believe it's August already. This is craziness. German/coaching/masterclass with Tom Enman
Tonight a big group of us went to see the live(ish) simulcast premier of La Boheme with Anna Netrebko:
But all these other people wanted to come with us and didn't want us to sit comfortably in chairs....
them too:
Here is a lovely picture of my, obviously, unobstructed view:
On the way back to the Lehrerhaus, when La Bohem was over, I walked ahead of the group and chose one of two tunnels. I made a great choice because as I rushed through the tunnel, who should walk by, but Jonas Kaufmann. Jonas Kaufmann. Jonas Kaufmann. The man who performed beautifully in Ariade auf Naxos merely a night before this tunnel pass. Unfortunately, it wasn't until we passed each other that I realized who he was. However, it was fun to bump shoulders with someone like him.
Thursday, August 2 Today was the performance for the winners of the recital competition. There were four wonderful voices and several great accompanists. All the girls sang beautifully and I heard so many new songs that I might have to start learning! Good music, good voices, and a beautiful recital hall:
Apparently, Mozart and his sister did performances here in the Mirabell Schloss for the arch bishop back in the day.
After this concert I got coffee and a raspberry Bretzel with Kyleigh and we went to KapitalPlatz for a little to enjoy the 2006 Salzburg recording of Gounod's "Romeo and Juliette." I had already seen this version, so when the clouds grew very dark, I didn't feel too bad about leaving.
Friday, August 3
After German class today, I spent time with everyone just waiting for lunch. I went up to the monestary again but this time with Erick and new friend Katie. I loved seeing them react to the beautiful and vast view from up there. Then we found a little church where there was a real person playing organ. It was beautiful.
After lunch we attended a masterclass by Mary Dibbern. Following that, Erick, Bene, Ben, Reinet, Mary-Claire, Dr. Astrup and I all went to the Augustina Brewery for dinner. I got some ribs that were sub par.
We sad for 2+ hours just talking about the program and school and opera and the festival. It was so fun!
After we all split up, Bene, Mary-Claire and I went to the Hotel Sacher and met up with Louie and Jeremy for dessert. I had a delicious truffle cake and THE BEST CAPPUCCINO I'VE HAD SINCE BEING IN AUSTRIA. It was such a Gemütlich day :)
Saturday, August 4
I bought something from Dr. Astrup and am wearing it tonight to the Thomas Hampson Lieder Abend at 8:30. What the purchase is....?????? You'll have to come to family dinner the first Sunday I get back to the U.S. to find out!
Today, we got to tour the Festspielhäuser!!!! We got backstage tours and I got to walk on the stages and see all the set pieces for all the operas I have attended/seen while here. It was so surreal and so much fun!
This is a picture of me with a set piece from La Boheme. Anna Netrebko touched that same set piece...No big deal.
After that, I went to a flea market and a craft fair that was taking place along the river.
Today, Bene and I are going to go back down into town, eat at the market, walk around, go to the Stiegel Keller for dinner (FINALLY) and then end the evening with some lovely music sung by Thomas Hampson!!!!
I'm not going to post TOO many more pictures on this blog. It is so sad that the trip is almost over but I want to save my last days of pictures to show everyone when I get home :)
See you all soon and I'll let you know how the last adventures in Salzburg go!!!
