There are concerts … and then there are concerts.
Okay. That doesn’t make much sense, does it? But tonight was a struggle. Not that anyone knew, because I managed to deal with the problems, but I’m certainly glad to be home.
First I had no energy. I made the mistake of trying to get reeds to work and practicing Don Juan during the day, when I knew that Wagner was waiting for me. I had absolutely no success with reeds, so I was already frustrated. Then I got to the hall and the reeds I was planning on using (and DID use, in fact) were not behaving in any sort of respectable manner.
I hate reeds that misbehave! Trouble is, most of mine like to do that. Reeds are such a curse … they are in a constant state of change so nothing is ever “settled” for me. (I realize there are Master Reed Makers out there in the world, but I’m not one of ’em!)
So I have tomorrow to work some more on reeds, and the next opera performance is Thursday. We have five more opera performances to go. Two weeks from tomorrow we start rehearsals for Don Juan, Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1, and Beethoven’s 3rd. Yikes.
It never ends … the reed making, that is. (Flying Dutchman runs through the 24th so we put an end to that then … and an end to opera season as well.)
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