So now it’s on to the four performances of L’Elisir d’Amore.

Four years ago the same conductor, Martin Katz, was here. I had to cancel out on a rehearsal because I was sick. This year I don’t have to cancel out, but I do have a stupid cold. Sigh. Last night I had a few coughing spells, but otherwise I survived. Now I’m on to the constant sniffly stage. Not fun when one is playing oboe, but what can ya do?

The opera is easy for second oboe (as I’ve told readers earlier) but it is certainly not easy to play as softly as required due to the non-pit. Last night a colleague asked an audience member (they bring in donors and others for the dress rehearsals) how the balance was and she said we did still cover up the singers at times. I can honestly say I can’t play any softer, and I already have a swab in the bell to mute the sound. I could play “air oboe” if necessary, though. That doesn’t even require a good reed!

The conductor, Martin Katz, has been a pianist for a number of singers, including Marilyn Horne. From what I can see, I can’t put up anything with Horne, as all the YouTube videos request I don’t embed them. So here are some links from his younger days:

Rossini: “Se il vuol, la molinara”
Copland: Simple Gifts
Saint-Saëns: “Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix”

… and of course there are more.

Here is an interview with Martin Katz:

Part 1:

Part 2: