Things I Allow

17. February 2009 · 5 comments · Categories: Opera, Ramble

There are things I let stress me out. I know that’s simply … well … shocking!

Tonight I got to the pit and got set up. It was 65 degrees in there when I sat down. I know that for many of you that is just fine, but I’m a wimpy California girl, so I wasn’t thrilled. Stress #1.

I pulled out my reeds and dipped them in water and let them wake up. Ugh. My reeds were totally different from the last time we performed (Sunday). Since I didn’t play yesterday, and I don’t use my performance reeds with my students, I only found this out when I got into the pit. And yes, that’s not a good idea. But there you go. I knew I could deal. Stress #2.

Shortly after that, two people I know came down to say “hi”. Uh-oh. Stress #3. I know it’s silly, but one of them is a former musician so I knew that would be a stress issue. Add to that the fact that another person had already mentioned that he’d be at the performance as well. Stress #4.

And then, just to make me full stressed, a conductor I work with (and have since 1975) appeared. In the front row. So there’s Stress #5.

Now of course everyone deals with stress. And yes, I am used to it. But I just wasn’t in the mood. And while I made no mistakes I just wasn’t happy with anything I did. I kept thinking, “I wonder what Mr. Conductor is thinking of what I just played. Coulda been better. Rats.”

I’m just that crazy. And I know some of you will kindly write and tell me how to fix myself. But maybe … just maybe … I am embracing my craziness. Maybe I’ll run with it, in fact. Maybe it’ll be what makes me famous.

Or not.

Oh, and the temperature is quite fickle now. It warmed up to 68 when we began the overture. The curtain rose and it dropped two degrees. Then, during the second half, it actually reached 70. Who’da thunk it?

Like I said earlier, layers. I’m gonna bring layers from here on out. 🙂

In other news, I joined the Twitter crowd, even though I can’t for the life of me figure out why it’s any different than the status updates in Facebook. We’ll see what I decide to do there … I might not stick around. For now, though, I’m Pattyoboe.

And now it’s off to bed. With no after opera snack, because I’m finding that if I eat this late I’ll not sleep well at all. (Darn!)

BQOD

17. February 2009 · Comments Off on BQOD · Categories: BQOD

Current music: IGOR STRAVINSKY/RITES OF SPRING

i love classical music so much!!!! i wish i could just
BE a piece of music

…you know?

this stuff never ceases to make me crazy. in a great way.

Why, Oh Why?

17. February 2009 · 4 comments · Categories: Grumble, Links, Opera, Ramble

Okay … little rant here … I just don’t understand why bloggers don’t realize the world can read what they write. I just popped in on an anonymous oboe player’s blog, and he writes about his friend shoplifting a $150 wallet from a Century 21 store (never heard of ’em). How admirable. I suppose he thinks that no one will figure out who he is. I took one look at the blog and figured it out immediately. It was pretty darn easy. Not that I’ll do anything about the stealing. I’m just bugged that someone would blog gleefully about this. (Not sure I’d want him on my sub list, to be honest. Oh. But who cares about honesty, eh?)

I know, I know. I sound like a very old grumpy person. Sigh.

In Other News…
Tonight is another Così performance with Opera San José. I’m going to be smart and dress in layers. Lots and lots of layers. We only have three performances left, tonight, Friday and Sunday, so if you are interested in attending you’d better hop to it! And tonight’s cast is on their final performance.

Season News?
I still have heard nothing about the Symphony Silicon Valley 2009-2010 season. I do hope we hear soon. I’m anxious to see the programs. Maybe opera companies announce seasons earlier than symphonies. At least around here. In any case, both SSV and San Francisco Symphony haven’t put up new about next season yet, while Opera San José and San Francisco Opera have. I’m an impatient person and I hope I don’t have to wait much longer for an announcement from SSV.

Why Lockers in Music Buildings Worry Me

17. February 2009 · Comments Off on Why Lockers in Music Buildings Worry Me · Categories: Stolen Instrument

What easier place to look for valuable instruments, right?

Security at McGill University in Montreal is being stepped up after seven thefts of musical instruments from lockers in six weeks, officials said.

Most recently, a $40,000 viola was taken from the locker of student Alicia Bisha after someone picked the lock in the university’s Schulich School of Music building, The Gazette newspaper reported.

She told the newspaper the instrument was a high school gift from her concert viola-playing grandmother and she’d accept it back with no questions asked.

She said in case it were to turn up at an online sales portal, the viola has a registration number of JC9525 on the inside.

The other thefts have included an English horn, a saxophone, two stringed instruments and some woodwinds, the Gazette said.

McGill’s dean of music, Don McLean, said security measures have been stepped up but wouldn’t elaborate.

“I feel for the students, they develop a relationship with a specific instrument, a personal attachment and these thefts are a sense of violation,” he told the newspaper.

Read here.

MQOD

17. February 2009 · Comments Off on MQOD · Categories: Quotes

On a bad day I think ‘Il Trovatore’ is one of the stupidest operas ever written.

-David McVicar

Found here.