tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49848736598482932472012-01-19T20:27:06.642-06:00A Voice, a Vision, an Adventure! Welcome to the ramblings of an international opera singer as she travels the world, searching for beauty and possibility in the world and on its stages.Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.comBlogger3911100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-40783834352482239712010-10-16T06:41:00.004-05:002010-10-16T07:02:34.431-05:00

***NEW YANKEEDIVA BLOG ADDRESS***Hello wonderful Yankeediva Readers!!May I just take one moment to THANK YOU (each of you! Yes, YOU!) for taking the time to stop by and read my ramblings? It started off as a rather tentative venture YEARS ago, and has certainly been more successful than I ever could have imagined. Your interactive comments have helped me shape the direction of my writings, and

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-48179290247283443382010-10-04T14:58:00.006-05:002010-10-04T16:48:58.835-05:00

Well, they don't make weeks like that too often, and for good reason - I'm not sure the heart can take it! My previous week started out with an unbelievable amount of intensive, inspiring work, and ended with a day which inundated my emotions and rendered this chatty mezzo nearly speechless. (Well, nearly!)Last Monday and Tuesday found me finishing up the final tracks for my next disc, and as

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-26468313741351864482010-09-25T14:39:00.003-05:002010-09-25T16:41:51.770-05:00

One of those delicious, indescribable, unforgetable, "please can't they all be like this" weeks has just come to a close, and while I'm very happy to be settling into my hotel room with a rented movie on itunes waiting for me and room service on its way, I did want to put a few thoughts down about why a week like this blows my mind.I promise you, it just doesn't get old ~ at least not yet, it

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-31706094035466140522010-09-22T08:50:00.002-05:002010-09-22T08:51:01.304-05:00

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-39014259653524726932010-09-21T05:38:00.003-05:002010-09-21T06:04:57.964-05:00

It is with great, slightly belated pleasure that I announce the release of a new disc on which I had the extraordinary privilege of participating: please give a hearty welcome to Jake Heggie's most recent compilation of his compositions for voice and piano, with a string quartet thrown in for fun entitled PASSING BY. As if exploring new music and poetry wasn't incentive enough, he managed to

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-82565915420684129412010-09-21T00:20:00.004-05:002010-09-21T00:45:19.992-05:00

I am currently a bit inundated with reams of notes and words being sung into a very perceptive microphone, all which will hopefully be for the benefit of your listening pleasure in a few months, so my writing capacity is a bit dimmed for the moment. I CAN, however, easily post a few photos from the most lovely of trips to Istanbul. It was a magical trip, and one which captivated me from

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-69844117521810884632010-09-14T00:54:00.003-05:002010-09-14T00:59:46.742-05:00

Please allow me to share this inspired, thought-provoking talk given by Ben Cameron - another gold mine from the astonishing TED team. There seems to be so much pessimism about what is happening in the world of the arts - is there any hope? I found this passionate talk to be direct and uplifting and a bull's eye challenge to those of us that care about our world, to continue to forge ahead with

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-66397698755282782842010-09-13T22:45:00.008-05:002010-09-14T00:35:12.287-05:00

Well, that didn't take long! I blinked and my next season is starting up already! I know I'm certainly not alone with the thoughts that time flies, but this time it seemed to explode into oblivion! Our vacation was simply sublime, but our time at HOME was even better. It's amazing what that does to refresh the spirit, ground the heart, and remind me that I, occasionally, have a very lovely

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-67442782044535145292010-09-01T22:45:00.002-05:002010-09-01T22:50:07.229-05:00

Just what the doctor ordered!

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-28053869500200055522010-08-23T17:44:00.004-05:002010-08-23T18:38:00.601-05:00

First of all, a few stats about my last 5 months:2 torn ligaments1 ankle surgery1 pair of crutches and 2 walking casts5 countries2 new roles (oh, I love you ladies!)2 new productions 1 revival, whose premiere coincided with the year of my birth26 shows2 magical recitals1 thrilling recording6 CD signings (thank you for coming out!)Countless interviews (in French, Italian and English)1 book

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-74630463510129398632010-08-20T08:09:00.004-05:002010-08-20T08:51:04.941-05:00

Yesterday was our final "dress rehearsal" (we oddly still refer to the final rehearsal for concerts as a "Dress", even when costumes aren't involved), but because the Edinburgh Festival is such a hotbed of activity with over 240 classical music performances in the span of a few short weeks, rehearsal space is at a real premium. As a result, we soloists, the Maestro, Sir Roger Norrington, and the

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-74744141252288411292010-08-20T07:13:00.004-05:002010-08-20T07:57:52.932-05:00

No, it never gets old to think of taking part of something so historic and profound:We were blessed with amazing weather while in this lovely city: for highlighting those steeples and orange roofs, blue skies by FAR beat out those gray ones!The road trip to Salzburg involved a stop at a roadside rest stop where I saw surely the world's largest jar of Nutella. It was only 33€ and I tried to

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-12592076282754971532010-08-17T18:42:00.004-05:002010-08-17T19:38:06.344-05:00

In 1998 the Houston Opera Studio premiered the now nearly standard repertoire opera, "Little Women" by Mark Adamo. It challenged us greatly at the time, but seeing that it has enjoyed numerous performances now makes me quite happy that we were in on the ground level. I sang the character of "Meg" (even though I REALLY wanted to be "Jo"!), and found that in the end, it was definitely the right

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-61030316484449162412010-08-16T18:53:00.002-05:002010-08-16T18:55:45.577-05:00

Let's see if I end up enjoying this...

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-53367470486118653732010-08-13T06:11:00.001-05:002010-08-13T06:14:32.455-05:00

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-20748044023304065052010-08-12T04:06:00.002-05:002010-08-12T04:15:34.150-05:00

It would appear that after our 3 heavenly, gorgeous sunny days here in Salzburg we may have consumed all the sunshine for our 2-week allotment. That does make me a bit sad, but it's imperative to remember why the rain is necessary and, in fact, sublime!At a recent dinner party (oh God, it was good! And the recipe can be found in the new Opera Singer's Cookbook: Die Oper Kucht!) I couldn't get

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-74049868360911943772010-08-10T07:46:00.010-05:002010-08-10T08:43:16.047-05:00

Greetings from SUNNY Salzburg! Oh how happy I am to be able to say that! This city is simply stunning in the sunshine! May it never go away.I am happy to report that sizzling electricity pulsed through Bellini's music last night, and my first essay of this wonderful role will be galvanized in my memory for a long time to come. I feel like I just met a new, dear, friend, and I cannot wait to

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-16944188999541274582010-08-09T03:09:00.002-05:002010-08-09T03:13:14.602-05:00

It's NORMA day in the Alps!! Guard your children, dump the cheating Roman's, and sing joyfully in thirds!(Can you tell I'm excited for tonight?)Happy Monday!

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-18845269527612432522010-08-08T08:41:00.006-05:002010-08-08T09:19:42.666-05:00

Thursday night there was quite an event here in Salzburg: the charity launch of a new cookbook (Christmas present alert!) by Evelyn Rillé and Johannes Ifkovits, entitled "Die Oper Kocht". It is a who's who of opera folk sharing their best recipes with brilliant, playful photos, all by Johannes himself, as well as handwritten recipes in each of the singer's native language. It's a great idea,

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-55111689238543245522010-08-06T11:51:00.004-05:002010-08-06T11:59:42.343-05:00

(Can you tell I was a bit tired? "I'm doing another Rossini work, 'Stabat Mater' of Rossini." Redundant much? ;-)I had a show in Milan on a Tuesday night in July, and a driver picked me up from the secret exit of the theater (so clandestine!) so I could make a quick escape, and what should have been a 4.5-5 hour drive, ended up taking over SEVEN HOURS!!! The "driver" was by far the slowest man

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-18142977207631591732010-08-04T16:25:00.003-05:002010-08-04T16:56:00.366-05:00

Just a quick post (reassuring you that I have not sold my soul to Twitter at the expense of my blog postings!), but I had to just say how unbelievably BEAUTIFUL I find the music of Bellini. It's pure, it's simple, it's achingly beautiful, as in the case of the final shattering scene of Norma. We were in a rehearsal room today for our orchestral rehearsal, not the theater, and so while some

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-55104579697061109812010-08-03T12:17:00.002-05:002010-08-03T12:40:17.280-05:00

I read this horrific, incomprehensible article from the Guardian newspaper this afternoon, and it made me immeasurably, profoundly sad. Truly, my soul wanted to curl itself up in a corner and find a blanket to lay over itself, simply to disappear and escape the pure insanity and foolishness of it. How can we, those of us who are lucky enough to have the freedom to choose to listen to Ella, or

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-79264040832227969552010-08-02T17:36:00.003-05:002010-08-02T17:43:43.997-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, I MAY be crazy, but I've just elected to TRY the Twitter-universe. Wish me luck, but it was this afternoon's AMAZING first piano rehearsal of "Norma" here in Salzburg that inspired me - I wished I had the way to telling everyone right away what I was feeling. So on the advice of several friends, I came home and "tweeted" my first "tweet":"Singing in thirds with Edita

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-82145168148938069022010-08-01T12:10:00.002-05:002010-08-01T12:27:13.940-05:00

It's HARD to finish a soothing, relaxing, rejuvenating vacation! I want one more day to swim in the pool as the mountain waterfall plays in the background. I wouldn't mind one more back massage. And certainly I will miss the abundant breakfast buffet (although another day of that might put me over the edge!) It's been perfectly perfect and just what the doctor ordered. Tomorrow I head off to my

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-38569837529164745682010-07-28T15:55:00.005-05:002010-07-28T17:00:46.866-05:00

(On the famed Ponnelle set of "Barbiere" during intermission - photo graciously taken by an enthusiastic stage hand whose name I unfortunately missed: Grazie mille, amico mio!)Well, what a whirlwind this past week was! What an experience Milano was! What a life, eh? I can't write too much, because technically I'm on vacation (aaaaaaaaah) but part of my vacation plan was to catch up on over-due

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-60528960277113317192010-07-20T08:04:00.003-05:002010-07-20T08:25:38.016-05:00

It's July 20, and I have 4 more days of the Italian Heat! I can make it, right? They will be busy days, but I can do 4 days! That's way easier than 5, and miles away from 6 days! The beautiful part, is that after I make it through these 4 days, I'm officially on a mini-vacation, and there is an Austrian Spa that has my name in neon lights flashing through the Alps! I can NEARLY smell the

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-22474569689393834212010-07-16T12:59:00.003-05:002010-07-16T13:17:30.151-05:00

Kansas City lost one of its greatest visionaries the same day that the world lost Sir Charles Mackerras. While perhaps the latter will receive more international coverage, the loss of Richard Harriman will be no less deeply felt. He brought the world of classical music to the middle of America and provided a varied, superlative, world-class program that saw the recital debut of Luciano Pavarotti

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-45944041416997805262010-07-15T05:38:00.002-05:002010-07-15T05:51:24.792-05:00

I extend my condolences to the family of Sir Charles Mackerras (1925-2010) who passed away earlier today in London. The condolences also extend to the musical world where the loss will be surely felt for a long time to come. Happily, we have numerous musical memories to cherish and revisit in the legacy of recordings he created over his vast and varied career. My only experience with him was a

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-55629485965185871272010-07-09T10:44:00.003-05:002010-07-09T11:21:56.553-05:00

She is, isn't she? And I find the more time I spend with her, the more striking I find her features. The shading, the subtlety, the refinement - the simplicity of her composition and demeanor. I discovered she's actually wearing a veil - something I never noticed about her before, until I used a telephoto lens to study her. It's there - it's amazing. She really does take your breath

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-59920430117327250802010-07-07T05:55:00.002-05:002010-07-07T06:03:08.559-05:00

...and I need it now!! So let's retreat, shall we, to a glorious Parisian afternoon spent amongst the bronzed, perfected creations of Rodin. Perfection of balance, harmony, movement, beauty - really, all the things that art should strive to be, no? Yes, let's spend some time here. Let's escape and breathe and marvel at what art CAN and SHOULD be!There. I feel better. Thank you!

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-30480865815635043232010-07-06T04:58:00.003-05:002010-07-06T05:06:43.692-05:00

Just to reassure ya'll that I have not fallen off the face of the earth: I'm simply trying to accomplish 2 things at once - get a new (to me, but to few others!) production of Barbiere on it's feet in a very short amount of time, with all the normal challenges that seem to plague this particular opera house, and trying not to suffocate in the heat here in Milano. The first task being FAR easier

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-52903628319959328432010-06-20T15:15:00.009-05:002010-06-20T16:04:12.760-05:00

Sadly, the weather here in Paris hasn't inspired me to be out and about too much with my beloved camera: grey, dreary, rainy, cool. And I've been a bit preoccupied with recitals (I LOVE YOU PARIS and the TCE!) and openings (which includes body-recovery-time from the heavy costume!) and promotions (I wish my abs where getting as good a workout as my French!) and role preparation (HELLO ADALGISA,

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-72073667801984316812010-06-11T04:29:00.009-05:002010-06-12T06:09:28.309-05:00

Good SUNNY morning! After what feels like about 500 years of rain between my time in Geneva and here in Paris, le soleil has decided to make a celebrated appearance and show us those amazing Parisian Blue Skies today. I could not be happier.It's also the day of the final dress rehearsal here in Paris, for "La Donna del Lago". It's always an exciting rehearsal - the adrenalin is pumping full

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-44840876723188403472010-06-06T15:04:00.002-05:002010-06-06T15:55:17.506-05:00

We moved into the Palais Garnier, the original Paris Opera House, yesterday to start our on-stage rehearsals for "La Donna del Lago", and that burst of excitement of being in such a VERY special theater took hold of me once again, making me giggle and gasp with wonder at all the glitz and gold and gilded centimeters around me. A few of the cast members hadn't yet performed in this theater and I

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-84531385578927773552010-05-30T15:35:00.005-05:002010-05-30T16:26:00.556-05:00

These are two words that have been on my mind a lot, lately. I have been avoiding the topic of imagination a bit, mainly because I didn't have any supporting photos to accompany the topic, but I've been consumed with it in recent days, for I truly believe it can be one of the greatest and most necessary weapons for an artist. While in Chicago I was lucky enough to do some coaching with a few of

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-32932597140990270522010-05-27T15:17:00.003-05:002010-05-27T15:18:22.772-05:00

...you have a day where you need something like this:Yes. That'll do!P.S. In case anyone is wondering, there is a lake.

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-6853385942436405762010-05-13T15:54:00.005-05:002010-05-13T16:48:25.435-05:00

I just love my readers. You all are wonderful! I received the most interesting comments to my last post regarding my recent production here in Geneva. The comments were thought provoking, passionate, well-thought out, varied, insightful, and intensely personal - all the things that opera tends to stir up in people, and one of the reasons I LOVE being a part of such a crazy world. One person

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-14500930570750746852010-05-08T08:22:00.011-05:002010-05-08T18:23:34.838-05:00

We have officially opened here in Geneva, with an emotional opening night audience to say the least. I don't think there was any doubt that the performance was received quite rapturously, but, as seems to be predictably common, the production was met with a torrent of - displeasure - shall we say. I hesitate to say too much, because it seems a bit taboo for an artist to speak out on such things,

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-53776778586952725872010-05-05T07:38:00.004-05:002010-05-05T08:00:11.940-05:00

One thing I love about this job, strangely enough, is that my life is cut into tiny compartments: a 2 month period in Chicago for Nozze, a 2-week recording session coming up in September (which I'm beyond excited about!), and for some time my debut as Elena in La Donna del Lago has been in the works. Finally it is here. I get to see the culmination of months of work and years of anticipation

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-20275040546904450352010-05-02T05:16:00.006-05:002010-05-02T06:12:58.723-05:00

I find that one of the most difficult things to manage in this career is the feeling of isolation that can easily creep into your psyche as you've been on the road for a little bit too long (or, as a matter of fact, even on that very first night you unpack your things into yet another sterile, rented apartment that houses one opened package of old spaghetti, a half-empty/full box of dry cereal,

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-27378820043681307562010-04-28T08:30:00.004-05:002010-04-28T08:44:38.357-05:00

Yesterday was our sitzprobe of "La Donna del Lago" here in Geneva. It's my favorite of rehearsals - after all the weeks of focusing on the staging and the costumes and the lighting, we get to go back, with our scores in hand, and simply SING the music, now knowing the physical and internal journey the character will be taking on the stage. It's heaven for me. I sing along with my score, double

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-58573566666489860872010-04-25T10:14:00.003-05:002010-04-25T10:57:43.264-05:00

Last night we had our first complete run-through of "La Donna del Lago" here in Geneva.Again, I love the serendipity of debuting this stunning role in a city famous for it's gorgeous lake! By all accounts, everyone was happy with the first attempt at getting from A to Zed last night, but it was a real indication for me of how tough the night will be from a performance standpoint.In this

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-36581858350389242942010-04-18T15:39:00.002-05:002010-04-18T16:51:57.018-05:00

Greetings from relatively ash-free Geneva where Spring is definitely making its welcome presence known. We seem to be one of the few European cities escaping some of DFGHVZYPYJKIWSKJAIA's fury for the moment. (Is that the correct spelling of the Icelandic volcano? It must be close!) What a nightmare this has turned out to be for so many travelers and fellow artists and family members! Mother

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-9862101780229972562010-04-05T20:41:00.002-05:002010-04-18T17:17:32.708-05:00

"If you stare at it long enoughthe mountain becomes unclimable.Tally it up. How much time have you spentwaiting for the soup to cool?Icicles hang from January guttersonly as long as they can.Fingers pause above piano keys for the chordthat will not form.Slam them downI say.Make music of what you can."~Charles Rafferty from "Against Hestitation"That makes me smile.

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-15572507907252541732010-04-01T21:07:00.005-05:002010-04-01T23:20:48.988-05:00

So, let's chat, shall we? I suppose it's time for an update. But before I come clean, I have an enormous favor to ask: if you make it to the end of this posting, please heed my request at the end. That is all I ask! (Oh, and this will be a long post - so perhaps pour yourself a glass of wine?)So here goes:On Monday I went in for ankle surgery - technically I believe it was called a "Bromson

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-79884737161386474602010-03-31T10:45:00.004-05:002010-03-31T10:51:40.945-05:00

It's official! "The" Barber that I wrote so much about here last summer is coming out on DVD! I can't tell you how thrilled I am that we were able to all come to an agreement and bring this to opera lovers everywhere. This disc will be different, because normally a filmed opera is pulled from a minimum of 3 performances and then edited for correct camera shots, etc. Well, we only had ONE shot.

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-43645398705664595972010-03-27T12:14:00.006-05:002010-03-27T13:22:38.727-05:00

Warning: LONG post ahead. Read at your own peril. Or bookmark it and come back until you finish! I am most happy to report that my hard drive has made a near full recovery, even if the "geniuses" at the Mac Bar installed a new version of my photo software without my asking (I'm certain they felt it was an upgrade), however, for me it's a disaster because all the files are now in complete

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-64284983856513171832010-03-02T22:58:00.002-06:002010-03-02T23:08:21.570-06:00

Well, considering the amount of use (and occasional abuse) my computer endures, it's not surprising that it needs a tune-up. I am just crossing all my fingers that not too much data is lost (yes, I am backed up, but it's still an unsettling feeling!) In the meantime my wonderful hubby is loaning me his trusty computer for the moment to give a quick update! I have mixed emotions about how

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-54993156398062468482010-02-27T14:27:00.003-06:002010-02-27T15:39:47.927-06:00

I don't know that I've ever seen a better demonstration of how primal, universal and contagious music making can be:That is a feel-good video if ever I saw one!Yesterday was also a feel good day! I had the extreme luxury of sitting on the side-lines for the final dress rehearsal yesterday of Le Nozze di Figaro here in Chicago, and I can't remember the last time I sat to watch this piece. It

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-57338975606962883752010-02-12T22:23:00.003-06:002010-02-12T22:44:26.178-06:00

It never gets old.Especially with a cast like this.The notes. The intrigue.The suspicion. The disbelief.The searching. The study.The determination. The humanity.The disguise. The exhange.The seduction. The deception.The characters. The mastery.It's all so very good!!! Color me lucky!

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-10954162605974654252010-02-03T21:37:00.005-06:002010-02-03T22:34:38.493-06:00

One thing I've always told myself, is that if the payoff moment in a performance doesn't happen, none of this is worth it. (By "this" I mean the schedule, the travel, the absence, the luggage, the pressure, the stress, etc.) Let me clarify a bit: there will most certainly be "off-nights", and there will be rough patches to trod through, but in the grand scheme of things, if the opening of the

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-73971329010503063562010-02-02T22:22:00.001-06:002010-02-02T22:22:39.117-06:00

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-27417876859079465782010-02-01T22:37:00.003-06:002010-02-02T00:22:14.839-06:00

Home sweet home! I'm sitting in my very favorite spot, music playing, Christmas lights glowing (that's right: they're still up! I was only able to enjoy them for 3 days in December, so I fully plan on enjoying them for a few more nights while I can!), and a full day of productive errand-running behind me. Life is good. Those of you who have a home that you occupy most nights of the year,

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-12915676695261341352010-01-23T16:00:00.003-06:002010-02-01T22:55:19.884-06:00

Note to self: touring in Spain in the middle of January = brilliant idea!(Ditto for that whole "December in Los Angeles" thing!)Yes, I've officially kicked off my Tour D'Amore and so far so good. We began in Madrid, which is always such a lovely place to spend some time. The people are so warm and welcoming, the food unbelievably wonderful ("Mas jamon, por favor!"), and the richness of that

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-64383743860094021792010-01-22T19:19:00.002-06:002010-01-22T19:29:05.831-06:00

I'm currently watching a streaming video from the United States (and London) of a telethon raising money for Haiti. They have shown clips of the beautiful people of Haiti gathering in streets and singing. Singing.How humbling and uplifting.I'm pretty sure that every Dollar/Euro/Pound will make a difference.Let's do what we can - which is usually more than we tend to believe.Click here to donate

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-43167853566903695112010-01-18T08:50:00.003-06:002010-01-18T09:05:24.391-06:00

Tonight's the night! I debut a new recital program here in Madrid at the Teatro de la Zarzuela, and I'm terribly nervous and wonderfully excited! The task of getting nearly 2 hours worth of music up and running in front of a hungry public without the benefit of stage techs and dress rehearsals as we have in the world of opera feels a bit daunting at this moment, especially since nearly all the

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-46797179138569645352010-01-07T16:21:00.003-06:002010-01-07T17:16:53.386-06:00

That's a wrap! Well, nearly a wrap - tomorrow we must finish up the Act 1 finale duet and a few stray recits, but for all intents and purposes, my Ariodante is officially "in the can"! I must say, it feels WONDERFUL!! It was quite an accomplishment and thrill, to say the very least, to work on this iconic role 2 years ago and bring him to the stage for my first time. Spending time in his shoes

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-56800199804174713002010-01-06T15:25:00.004-06:002010-01-06T16:58:25.878-06:00

I'm exhausted. Spent. And oh yes, does it feel GOOD! Today was a rather brutal day in terms of recording: 3 arias were planned, and that's a lot for a single day, believe it or not. What results in 7 minutes of music on a disc likely takes 90 minutes of full-on singing to complete the picture. Normally we will invest in one full take of the piece, listen to the results (debating tempi,

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-51218225986131012592010-01-05T16:05:00.005-06:002010-01-05T16:59:08.641-06:00

When the movie Forrest Gump arrived on the scene, I hurled myself on the "Life is like a box of chocolates" bandwagon and reveled in the film making as well as the simplicity of the story. But the scene that has stayed with me the longest is the "Captain Dan" moment when he hoisted his amputated, broken body up the sail boat in the midst of the raging thunderstorm and challenged God with "Is

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-13855665221851789172010-01-04T15:30:00.003-06:002010-01-04T16:43:13.773-06:00

...riodante, days 1 and 2Where to begin? What a start to the new year! I have just commenced recording one of the greatest operas ever written, historic in its impact on the musical world of its day, and rather unsettling in modern times for its emotional scope as, once again, Handel seems able to crawl into the marrow of his characters and create such strong, frail, vulnerable and both

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-50432243366870389112010-01-02T16:25:00.003-06:002010-01-02T16:35:03.373-06:00

Greetings from Lonigo, Italy where I am about to embark on another Handel recording with my long standing partners-in-crime, Alan Curtis, and his baroque band, Il complesso barocco. I've just dashed in from Baden Baden after a LOVELY New Year's Eve concert (realizing my dream to sing some of the great American songs of Gershwin and Porter and Arlen with orchestra!), after having dashed home for

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-21725767128743955082009-12-24T16:32:00.003-06:002009-12-24T16:55:32.826-06:00

Dear wonderful fans (or random stranger who happens upon this blog!),I wanted to send out a very heartfelt, sincere THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have taken part in my journey over this past year, and throughout the years. I love singing and performing, but there would be no "career" without each of you who fill the seats, buy the discs, spread the word, and most importantly, who

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-1834596549736065972009-12-18T02:05:00.002-06:002009-12-18T03:06:55.025-06:00

I realize I'm a wee bit tardy on this post, but you know - there has been sunshine to enjoy, ornaments to write, and lyrics to memorize! But I didn't want to let too much more time pass before sharing the amazing evening that I participated in a few weeks back. The Metropolitan Opera Guild began hosting the "Opera News Awards" 5 years ago, and it has become quite an event in the social calendar

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-18889453207907458652009-12-07T15:39:00.003-06:002009-12-07T16:21:22.696-06:00

...can often get you down, but in LA it's a bit hard to let it settle in and take hold, I have to say! Perhaps it's actually a most beneficial thing for my career that today is rainy, because loads of work beckons (or, is that loads of work beckon?), but I must admit that the last week of sunshine did my inner child a WORLD of good! I'll actually let a few pictures do the talking:I really

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-67220194554143886432009-12-01T15:52:00.005-06:002009-12-01T16:53:38.233-06:00

Taken out of context, as we all know, things can carry very different meanings! I just snapped this photo from my window in GLORIOUS Santa Monica, CA, and found it very funny that, framed simply as it is, one could make countless different assumptions. If I had taken the photo in a landscape (vertical) direction, you would have found the bride's groom and photographer about 20 feet to her right

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-27198562892670877602009-11-22T13:50:00.005-06:002009-11-22T14:05:52.894-06:00

...is something I often need to remind myself to participate in when things have gotten a bit hectic. If I can manage the breathing part, the rest will likely follow. Last SATURDAY I was in Minneapolis for my husband's "triumphant" conducting of "Casanova's Homecoming" by Dominick Argento (what a brilliant score and LIBRETTO!!). SUNDAY found me flying to San Francisco to rehearse a few hours

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-23057407730352380982009-11-05T11:28:00.003-06:002009-11-05T12:07:57.549-06:00

My senior year at Bishop Miege High School in suburban Kansas City, I was certain - and I mean CERTAIN! - that I would be a high school choral director, and so I searched for schools that had great music education degrees. After sorting through loads of brochures, I settled on The Wichita State University, known for it's wonderful teacher programs, and as it so happened, an outstanding opera

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-72193752121108133022009-11-02T13:24:00.003-06:002009-11-02T13:40:59.460-06:00

Yesterday the NY Marathon took the Big Apple by storm. The women's race saw a heroic figure and favored winner fight a horrible leg injury and still cross the finish line, the men's race saw a great upset with the USA taking the win for the first time in ages, and I got to cheer on my very dear friend in his 6th race (despite the fact that while fighting the crowds to get to the finish line I

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-23287293854940331152009-10-29T22:32:00.002-05:002009-10-29T23:13:17.205-05:00

This is Gabriel, the adorable, mild-mannered Donkey that graces the stage of the Metropolitan Opera for our production of The Barber of Seville. He's only one element that makes this run so fun and refreshing and wonderful. We are actually rehearsing this week to add in 2 new cast members, which means those of us that have been performing these past weeks have to bring in the new colleagues and

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-69272125471368586712009-10-24T14:38:00.005-05:002009-10-24T15:10:05.234-05:00

I had the extreme pleasure of singing on board the US AMSTERDAM recently on a 7-day cruise of Alaska for the Metropolitan Opera Guild. The brilliant Jake Heggie was my collaborative pianist, the dashing Michael Snider the organizer, and a number of enthusiastic opera lovers our audience and travel companions! The week could not have been more memorable, more relaxing, more breathtaking, or more

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-33107271813223128872009-10-08T13:51:00.002-05:002009-10-08T14:28:56.661-05:00

It feels WONDERFUL to be able to report that I believe a good time was had by ALL on Saturday night for the opening of "The Barber of Seville" here in NYC! I think the audience was happy to be given the chance to laugh out loud a bit, as laughter truly does tend to work magic, even on the most unsuspecting!Yesterday was a huge day, as I had a big brainstorming session with my recording team of

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-37095080557794763062009-10-02T09:22:00.001-05:002009-10-02T09:23:35.969-05:00

...of Leontyne Price. Just because.Yes. Oh yes yes yes.

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-76526098922672530512009-09-30T15:49:00.002-05:002009-09-30T15:55:41.888-05:00

It is with great pleasure, great astonishment, and great excitement that I introduce to you my next disc: Rossini Arias: Colbran, the Muse...I'm enjoying what is being billed as my "Rossini Year", having started with Rosina in London this summer, bringing her back for the opening this Saturday back at the MET with a brilliant cast, this disc launches on Tuesday here in the States (soon elsewhere,

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-34430333945737986832009-09-21T17:39:00.002-05:002009-09-21T17:46:57.231-05:00

My only day of rehearsal with the LSO and Maestro Gergiev for my debut as Marguerite in Berlioz's masterpiece "Damnation de Faust" just came to an end. I wish the clock had not marched forward (even if my jet lag was begging differently!). Gergiev's complete mastery of this piece, in sublime combination with the orchestra's innate and uncanny way with Berlioz's near demented, yet utterly

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-91996247213868068342009-09-17T08:38:00.004-05:002009-09-17T09:05:32.024-05:00

It would appear to be official:October 6th sees the arrival of MY NEXT DISC, which I'm IMMENSELY excited about, to say the very least. Welcome to the world of Isabella Colbran and Gioachino Rossini, prima donna and celebrated composer: lovers, spouses, perhaps even revolutionaries. I delved into their world for a wonderful week in Rome and spent time with the wicked, the wonderful, the noble and

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-16080302050620978932009-09-15T22:17:00.002-05:002009-09-15T22:25:53.492-05:00

I seem to remember, vaguely, taking a vacation recently! Ah, yes - I was in Alaska on the high seas watching ASTONISHING feats and sights such as this that thrilled me to my core; and now that the season is back in full swing, and I have roughly a ga-zillion things on my plate, I needed to sit back and remember what I was doing 2 weeks ago, to find that beautiful stress-free place!Thank you for

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-86074163809963164862009-09-11T10:32:00.007-05:002009-09-15T22:27:11.294-05:00

It's difficult to be in New York City today. 8 years ago our world changed in the most catastrophic way possible. Time stood still. Shock set in. Horror engulfed us all. I don't know of anyone whose lives were not deeply, eternally affected by the morbid decision of a few men.And then there was the shift. Once the breath slowly returned to us all, hands started to be held. Heads leaned on

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-11893875156960911342009-08-21T16:53:00.002-05:002009-08-21T17:19:23.250-05:00

I'm bad - I know: no updates about Aix (Magical, and "more cheese, please"!!!), or Salzburg ("Hey Mozart, I finally made it!!!), or "the leg" (I'm WALKING!) - but I'll get caught up at some point. But I'm also good: I've had 2 whole entire weeks at home, with my husband. AT THE SAME TIME!!! That means both he and I, in our home, AT ONCE! That almost never happens. I think the current term is "

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-66847828031178315922009-07-31T12:04:00.004-05:002009-07-31T12:12:51.428-05:00

In case any one out there is in need of an enormous dose of inspiration (which includes me, because I am officially OVER this cast on my leg!), please, please, PLEASE give yourself a gift and take a few, short minutes to read this astonishing article about Zheng Cao, an against-all-odds mezzo soprano. I am a believer."Early on, I said that these cancer cells have no chance in my body because

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-59726517594701584892009-07-26T08:45:00.008-05:002009-07-26T10:03:28.558-05:00

I don't know that I've ever felt quite as much relief for a show closing as I did with the finish of this most memorable and unbelievably special "Barbiere" in London last week. I truly have never experienced anything quite like it, and now that I've had some time to reflect on all that happened, the exhaustion has indeed set in!! I've taken this past week to rest up, regroup and rest! (Did I

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-67113888780592603182009-07-09T11:02:00.003-05:002009-07-09T11:13:36.598-05:00

So one of the great things about enforced rest, is it gives you a chance to catch up on all important things like surfing you-tube. I mean, "doing research" on you-tube. Happily, performances on wheelchairs are documented a fair amount, but obviously not a single one comes close to the perfection of Delores DeLago (I wonder if she is the orginal Donna del Lago??):A big thank you to Neil

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-53528702092547504032009-07-08T10:51:00.003-05:002009-07-08T11:23:19.420-05:00

Well, without a doubt, last night was one of the most memorable, exciting nights in my life. I suppose that makes two in a row for me.I arrived at the theater around 4:30 and was introduced to my new co-star: a beautiful, sleek "Moonlite Breezy Wheelchair". (Their motto is apparently "Innovate: build for the future". Well, innovation was certainly the name of the game last night. (Hey, I wonder

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-15948544075241708182009-07-07T07:38:00.002-05:002009-07-07T07:45:20.944-05:00

As a friend reminded me, one of the great all-time stage acts involved Bette Midler and a wheelchair. So, I figure, let's give it a shot as well, tonight. Of course, 3 hard weeks of intense staging rehearsals go right down the drain (sorry Mosh & Posh!) BUT it means we get to improvise in character, think quickly on our feet (or wheels as it were), and still aim to tell the story, only this

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-28136304778427862592009-07-06T14:36:00.002-05:002009-07-06T14:46:35.203-05:00

Just a quick word to send an ENORMOUS "thank you" to everyone for the beautiful words and sentiments of encouragement! I have been truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of good will, to say the very least, and I can only say that it means so much to me. Thank you.Mille Grazie.Merçi mille fois.Muchas gracias.Danke.The good news is that the permanent cast is on and it's COLORFUL. (stay tuned for pics

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-10523106151862506542009-07-04T22:16:00.003-05:002009-07-04T22:38:58.546-05:00

Well, so much to tell about tonight's performance. I don't know that I have ever experienced an evening quite like this one before - but I'm certain that I have invoked a new policy regarding well-wishers!!From here on out, I declare that no one (please!) ever ever ever wish me again, in the American fashion (despite it being Independence Day), to:"BREAK A LEG".I understand the good intention,

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-42586870684772944812009-07-03T11:46:00.004-05:002009-07-03T12:43:03.742-05:00

Yesterday the Royal Opera House put up the final general rehearsal of Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Tomorrow night is the opening.It is a TERRIBLY foolish thing to rave about a show before the opening, and certainly what happens in the dress rehearsal is not necessarily an indicator of how the opening night will go, much less the run, so I must choose my words carefully. Perhaps I shall just talk

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-78446446614161809912009-06-29T13:26:00.002-05:002009-06-29T15:21:57.058-05:00

This is a special post to those of you who might be pursuing a wild dream to become a professional musician, to those of you who fancy yourselves supporters of the arts, to those of you who might feel weary and wonder sometimes if it's all worth it or not. Please take a listen to the commencement speech of Robert Levine, the acclaimed concert pianist and scholar, given to the graduating class at

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-12091434369557062892009-06-28T17:48:00.003-05:002009-06-28T18:01:27.709-05:00

It takes a keen eye and ear to find the freshness in a score that "everyone knows". Or thinks they know. You have to be willing to look at it with fresh eyes, forgetting what you KNOW about it, read it anew, and stand ready to listen as if for the first time. Tony Pappano (the Maestro) and Moshe Leiser/Patrice Courier (the directing team) are the new ears and eyes for this Barbiere.After a long

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-3698327589270148792009-06-24T17:59:00.003-05:002009-06-24T18:16:31.534-05:00

I know that I am sometimes prone to exaggeration. I'm the first one to gasp out of excitement with a high voltage "OH MY GOD" at the sight of something perhaps just better than average - I'll admit it, I like to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. But then there are times where the hyperbole is merited. Tonight is such a time: Is there ANYTHING that Maestro Tony Pappano cannot do? In this

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-33424833200699137942009-06-21T19:20:00.005-05:002009-06-21T20:39:04.764-05:00

I love it when Nature nudges me along! My first free day in over two weeks, and out came the sun dancing with the curious clouds in the blue sky, laundry was checked off the "to-do" list and a walk along the River Thames was most DEFINITELY in order! And it was good.The timing couldn't have been better, for today was Father's Day, and I felt the pull of the tears of sorrow and the nagging

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-7574210457761009792009-06-21T05:27:00.003-05:002009-06-21T05:33:37.795-05:00

I'm afraid the notice is a bit on the late side, but I just found out that "NPR WORLD Of OPERA" will be broadcasting our live performance of "Beatrice et Benedict" recorded last February in Paris! CLICK HERE for more information!It brings back such wonderful memories of the SUBLIME Sir Colin Davis, and his effortless, gossamer interpretation of this wonderful work.ENJOY!

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-87330641237127609852009-06-12T18:27:00.003-05:002009-06-12T18:33:59.179-05:00

I have not one more iota of energy, so this will be short - but so very sweet! These past five days have been some of the most satisfying, glorious and electrifying musical experiences of my life. A million grazie's to the incredible Orchestra of Santa Cecilia, to the fabulous Santa Cecilia Chorus, to their banda, to all the technicians, to the lovely people of Virgin Classics for putting

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-61308647004060076882009-06-11T16:42:00.002-05:002009-06-11T16:43:20.473-05:00

....is what today was. Pure, wonderful, magical, musical, challenging BLISS.

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-9675093882694498842009-06-10T17:05:00.004-05:002009-06-10T18:07:23.195-05:00

I'm completely wiped out, so not many words here, just a few snapshots of the happenings. Recording is such a complex process replete with so many emotions: a myriad of observations about music, myself, and these amazing characters; so much intensity of concentration in a condensed period of time; so much JOY to be given this chance to record music I love so very much. I jog up and down the 2

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-55307191624095689942009-06-08T16:30:00.003-05:002009-06-08T16:39:08.098-05:00

So I am hunkered down here in Roma (how I WISH I had free time here to explore!) deep into my next solo recording for Virgin/EMI records. I would like to blog a bit each day about the recording process, repertoire, etc, but I think that might spoil the news of the release. When I'm at liberty to divulge more, I will. I promise.But suffice it to say I have a BIG, GRUELING, EXCITING and

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-79810431984022759162009-06-07T08:49:00.003-05:002009-06-07T09:42:34.781-05:00

Frederica von Stade. One hardly knows where to begin. There is this:Or this:Those seem like obvious places to start, but they paint anything but the whole picture. As I was starting out (way back at the infamous Wichita State University!), the opera bug bit me hard, and I didn't quite know what I was getting myself into. To me, singing was MUCH EASIER than the Beethoven sonatas I was slugging

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-41411702740852127662009-06-02T17:10:00.004-05:002009-06-02T18:32:04.550-05:00

Let's go back in time, shall we? Tis the fall of 1987, and I'm starting my undergraduate degree in Music Education at the Wichita State University, a short 3-hour drive down the fast-food littered Interstate-35 from Kansas City, the original "Dirty Dancing" was the big hit of the day, and dry cereal from the dorm cafeteria was the safest menu option of the night. My roommate, chosen at random by

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-2259374134025534292009-05-30T06:18:00.004-05:002009-06-02T18:36:34.897-05:00

At the market today I was shopping for our arugula, insalata, pinoli, etc, as well as all the FRESH (Oh Happy Days!) ingredients to make guacamole for the poor Italians who, while they do so very many things well, fail miserably when they serve some vaguely green goop that they call "guacamole". So I had the most lovely exchange in Italian with the lady choosing all my greens for me:"Tell me,

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-37155630204723912402009-05-28T19:20:00.003-05:002009-05-28T20:00:39.226-05:00

To anyone who has read one of those "this is your life" articles about me, it may not come as a surprise to hear that I am a huge Billy Joel fan; in fact, I still dream about singing back up for him at Madison Square Garden some day. As habit dictates, I blasted his album "The Stranger" over my loud speakers at home recently while tending to the painting of new dry wall, the bottomless filing of

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984873659848293247.post-59005018904907284052009-05-22T17:25:00.003-05:002009-05-22T17:36:53.862-05:00

My response to anyone who dares to assume they can't do it:Yes you can.

Yankeedivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01582739956422004397noreply@blogger.com2