While still in graduate school (studying voice, of course) I attended a summer opera training program. It wasn't long into the program that I began referring to the experience as "Opera Camp." Everyone laughed and thought it was cute, but really, that IS what these programs are. Last summer, at the last minute, I filled in for one of my students as a singer at another opera camp, a little closer to home. A few weeks ago, while singing Siebel in Faust with Loudoun Lyric Opera in Leesburg, VA, I felt as thought I were at Opera Camp again. During most of the six-week rehearsal period I drove the two hour commute from my regular life to Leesburg two to three times a week. (Not my favorite part of the process.) But for tech week, I stayed with a friend in Leesburg. All I had to do was rehearse each night. During the day...I pretty much just hung out and read through my friend's library. And I had a wonderful time! Actually, although I missed my husband, part of me didn't want to come back to reality.
So now I'm back to normal life, but not for long. This summer I'll be going to Opera Camp again--farther away and for a longer time than ever before! I'm going to Freiburg, Germany with James Madison University's opera study abroad program. I'll be learning German, singing Suor Genevive in Suor Angelica, singing Wolf Lieder in recital, and hopefully doing a few auditions. I've just learned that, in addition to all the opera, Freiburg has a farmer's market EVERY DAY except Sunday.
Opera AND a farmer's market??! I think all I really need is one more plane ticket for my hubby. Maybe I won't come back...
