I wish I could have heard the San Francisco Symphony concert Richard Scheinin reviewed, because I really enjoy Jeremy Denk’s blog and it would have been so cool to put the music with the blog. (Like putting a face with an name … get it? Yeah, it’s lame, but it’s late!)
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Tomorrow I have no rehearsal or concert. Nice. The last day I had no rehearsal or concert was November 7, so it’s not been that long, but for some reason it feels like eons. I suppose it was those five double service days in a row that made it feel that way. I still have student … but only three. Prior to teaching I get my hair cut. (Yay!) And after teaching I go work at Jameson’s school, setting up for the benefit dessert for Bye Bye Birdie.
So I’m still busy. Just different busy.
The opera is … well … it’s a very long sit, with far too little playing. I play the overture and number 1, sit out for number 2, play numbers 3 through 5, sit out 6 and 7, and play a portion of the first act finale, sitting out the end. For the second half I tacet numbers 9 through 11, play some of 12, although not through to the end, and tacet the remainng three numbers.
Like I said, it’s a lot of sitting.
Meanwhile the first flute, clarinets and bassoons play and play and play. (Second flute has less to play, although perhaps a bit more than I.) Of course nothing beats the second oboe; it’s included only in the overture! And the second oboist will leave after the overture; sitting for THAT long would truly be a killer.
The question is, do I leave when I’ve finished number 12? Some might suggest I should stay, but to be honest, sitting for that long with nothing to see is pretty darn difficult. I used to stay for this opera in the old theatre because I could watch the opera and I would have been seen making an exit and I don’t like to be a distraction. In this pit it’s doubtful that anyone would notice.
It’s not that I don’t like the music or my colleagues, and I certainly love opera—but sitting for so long and just staring into space? Not my cuppa. You know? And I suppose I could read, but after a while ….
Oh well, we’ll see what happens. If the Maestro says, “Stay,” I stay. If he says, “Whatever,” I’ll probably … whatever.
I’m not staying now, though. I’m off to bed. This body is weary.
I’m playing what appears to be my weekly game of Catch Up. Laundry done (not folded). Dishes washing. Beans on for the making of refried beans. House picked up (slightly). Bills paid.
The King and I is over. Whew! It really was a fun show to play. Too bad it’s not based on a whole lotta truth. But whatever. Opera. Musical Theatre. Who expects truth from those, eh? I’ll miss the fun we had in that pit; one doesn’t have quite the relaxing goofy fun in an opera pit.
Tonight it’s Barber of Seville and I just want to be able to stay awake! I prefer having my Mondays off. Silly me. But the thing is, we really do get used to having Mondays off. It’s just the way life should be, if you ask me. Alas, that can’t always be the case. And I do have students on Monday, so it’s not like I ever have it fully free. But still … it’s raining out and I just feel like staying home and curing up under my warm blanket.
Advice for the Day
If a teacher ever gives you a free private lesson, do send a thank you note. Even an email note will suffice.
I’m just sayin’ ….
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