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Dear singers,
I'm writing from my gate at PDX. Usually I write this column on Thursday evenings, but I'll be deeply into my conference then and might not get a chance. Anyway, I really want to strike while the iron is hot (the iron being last night's rehearsal...one of the most thrilling first rehearsals in recent memory)!
We have a big, balanced group, which jumped right into this rich music like starving music lovers! As I kept reminding myself (out loud...sorry), embarking on a new work is meant to be just sight reading and noticing, yet your enthusiasm was so enticing that I went right to work exploring details! I'll bet you didn't expect to be thrown into the deep end like that. So, sorry/not sorry! We had some real moments of beauty as you caught Dvořák's musical language.
If you are new to FCO and felt more than a little overwhelmed, relax! Do things at your own pace, trust the process, and you'll be fine. Maybe you'll be most comfortable singing on a neutral syllable at first, adding text when you're ready: that's just fine. Austro-German Latin is unfamiliar to a lot of people, so we'll proceed carefully.
Everyone: What to do to prepare for next Tuesday's rehearsal? Keep your pronunciation guide handy and try speaking some of the texts we sang this week. We will all do our best to be faithful to it, in the knowledge that opinions vary on this topic, even in Germany!
Have a great week, and please stay healthy. I must report that, despite loathing masks, I'm here at PDX wearing my singer's mask, and will continue to use it through the conference, since singing is notorious for spreading things you don't want to pick up while simultaneously sharing what we all want to pick up: the joy of being together.
See you soon,
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