So a friend suggested I should tell this story on yelp (which I have never read nor posted on), but I thought I'd share it here first.
Those who know me know that one of my big interests (besides opera) is the local food movement. I think it started when my sister told me to read The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, but since then I've read many more books, watched documentaries, and talked to a lot of farmers. I've quit buying meat, eggs, or dairy at the grocery story and shop instead at the farmer's market. And since I got back from Germany, I've officially gone...let's call it "organi-vegetarian." I'll eat meat, but only if it's organic, free-range, and preferably local. Otherwise I'm eating vegetarian.
The other day, I went to a restaurant in Harrisonburg near where I teach private piano and voice lessons to children (that's in addition to my two college teaching positions). I'd never eaten there before, but I only had a few minutes before my first student, and I wanted a snack to carry me through my afternoon of teaching to dinner. And this place was close and convenient.
Based on the name and the design of the sign, I figured this wasn't really my usual favorite kind of place to eat (read: hipster). I think everything on the menu was meat, fried, or both. I walked in and stared at the menu, trying to find something I would eat.
I'm pretty sure it was the owner working the counter that day. As I hesitated, he asked me, "Are you looking for anything in particular?" Still skimming the menu for vegetarian options, I replied, not wanting to come across as too pretentious (as if!), "Well...I don't eat factory farmed meat."
He looked at me as if I'd just spoken German. "I'm sorry, you don't eat...what?" I repeated myself, "Factory farmed meat. You know...I only eat organic, free-range, local meat." He looked utterly shocked, and said, in a tone of concern, "But, I mean, I have to get my meat from a reputable source! It's not like I can just go buy meat from some local farmer--the Department of Health would be all over me!"
My polite smile began to feel more like a grimace, as I tried to avoid a debate. I didn't see the point of trying to educate or persuade this man...and besides, I had to teach in five minutes. "Yes," I said, attempting to renew my polite smile, "You do have to find reputable sources. I do buy meat at the farmer's market, though."
"Wow," said the restaurateur.
I continued to look at the menu. He looked at it, too, and suggested, "Well, we have the fried apples--those are delicious--or fried pickles." "Um-hmm," said I. He added, "Out of curiosity, why do you not eat factory-farmed meat?" I replied, "Well, it's an ethical choice for me. You know, because of how the animals are treated in factory farms." He said, "Oh, I've heard that about veal!" "Yes," I replied, "It's true of beef and dairy and chicken farms, too. They keep the animals confined in their own waste and feed them food that makes them sick." He said, "Oh, no, my cousin has a poultry farm. They keep them confined, sure, in a 90 foot warehouse!" Exactly, I thought. And there are probably 20 or 30 thousands chickens in there...
"Um-hmm," I said, my attempt at a polite smile now frozen to my face. "I'll try a fried pickle and the fried apples, that sounds good." Just like they serve at the county fair.
The apples were just really sweet apple pie filling in a styrofoam cup. I couldn't finish them. But the breaded and fried pickle was actually pretty good. Next time I guess I'll try to stop at the gas station for a granola bar and organic juice. Or something...
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Return to Blogging...if not Germany yet
Obviously I haven't posted in a while, but I have decided to start writing again, although perhaps not as frequently as I did while in Germany. I haven't written because, well, I haven't really had many opera-related adventures since I got back, and nothing else in my life seemed worthy of sharing on the internet.
However, a few things have happened lately that would fall into the category of adventures for Opera Girl. I am planning to go back to Germany and audition. There are a lot of logistics surrounding that, of course, and I guess I will write about some of them as they come up. I imagine other singers considering auditioning there might find it helpful. Currently, the practical part of my plan is quite straightforward: I'm saving as much money as I can and practicing German as much as I can. I'm also trying to work regular German study into my daily schedule (that has been a little less successful than the random practice whenever I get a chance).
But to explain for the non-singers...auditioning in Germany is not as far-fetched as it may sound. For an American singer, Germany is actually Mecca. There are hundreds of professional opera companies who have full-time positions for singers, and they do often hire foreigners (unlike in some other countries, at least according to the Opera Grapevine). In America, as a singer, the best you can hope for is to be booked for the next few months, or the next year. That's if you're a big star singing in top opera houses and practically a household name (at least in the houses of opera fans). When you audition and get hired, congratulations! You're employed. For a month or two. During that time, you will be in rehearsals or performances and will probably not have time to search or audition for your next job. After that show is done, you're unemployed again. Here's your check, have a nice day. How many zero's are on that check can vary a lot, depending on your level, but once you finish the gig, you have to find the next one. And while some gigs may include perks like housing or food allowances or the opportunity to go to fancy parties as the celebrity guest and rub shoulders with rich patrons, you still are constantly looking for the next gig, and in the meantime spending a lot of your money on voice lessons, coachings, travel, and probably buying your own health insurance. You travel all the time--unless you're unemployed, in which case you're probably traveling to auditions to try to get work, and spending money you may not have on those trips.
Got the picture? Ok, now let's compare. In Germany they have a system called Repertory Houses. There are theater companies in the US that operate under this principal, but very few opera companies (and the ones I know of are only summer seasonal theaters). In a repertory company, you can get hired for a season--a year or maybe two. (Or, especially in the US, a summer season.) During the season, you will sing a variety of roles that are appropriate for your voice and character type. You receive a salary (which is a living wage) and health benefits (ok, Germany has completely different health care, but that's another topic entirely). You can live in the town where you work and be part of a community. You get six weeks paid vacation and regular national holidays. Oh, and everyone speaks German.
Yeah, that sounds really good to me! So here's my oh-so-perfectly-worked-out plan...
1. Save money
2. Learn (more) German
3. Prepare 5 - 7 arias for German auditions until I can sing them really, really well.
4.. Go back to Germany during audition season
5. Write as many companies as I can find that might have openings for a singer like me and request an audition
6. Hopefully, get some auditions.
7. Sing really, really well.
8. See what happens!
Easy as pie, right? Anyway, the pumpkin pie I made (from scratch! from a local pumpkin! and sweetened with local honey!) for Thanksgiving this year turned out a lot better than last year's pie. So maybe I've learned something...
However, a few things have happened lately that would fall into the category of adventures for Opera Girl. I am planning to go back to Germany and audition. There are a lot of logistics surrounding that, of course, and I guess I will write about some of them as they come up. I imagine other singers considering auditioning there might find it helpful. Currently, the practical part of my plan is quite straightforward: I'm saving as much money as I can and practicing German as much as I can. I'm also trying to work regular German study into my daily schedule (that has been a little less successful than the random practice whenever I get a chance).
But to explain for the non-singers...auditioning in Germany is not as far-fetched as it may sound. For an American singer, Germany is actually Mecca. There are hundreds of professional opera companies who have full-time positions for singers, and they do often hire foreigners (unlike in some other countries, at least according to the Opera Grapevine). In America, as a singer, the best you can hope for is to be booked for the next few months, or the next year. That's if you're a big star singing in top opera houses and practically a household name (at least in the houses of opera fans). When you audition and get hired, congratulations! You're employed. For a month or two. During that time, you will be in rehearsals or performances and will probably not have time to search or audition for your next job. After that show is done, you're unemployed again. Here's your check, have a nice day. How many zero's are on that check can vary a lot, depending on your level, but once you finish the gig, you have to find the next one. And while some gigs may include perks like housing or food allowances or the opportunity to go to fancy parties as the celebrity guest and rub shoulders with rich patrons, you still are constantly looking for the next gig, and in the meantime spending a lot of your money on voice lessons, coachings, travel, and probably buying your own health insurance. You travel all the time--unless you're unemployed, in which case you're probably traveling to auditions to try to get work, and spending money you may not have on those trips.
Got the picture? Ok, now let's compare. In Germany they have a system called Repertory Houses. There are theater companies in the US that operate under this principal, but very few opera companies (and the ones I know of are only summer seasonal theaters). In a repertory company, you can get hired for a season--a year or maybe two. (Or, especially in the US, a summer season.) During the season, you will sing a variety of roles that are appropriate for your voice and character type. You receive a salary (which is a living wage) and health benefits (ok, Germany has completely different health care, but that's another topic entirely). You can live in the town where you work and be part of a community. You get six weeks paid vacation and regular national holidays. Oh, and everyone speaks German.
Yeah, that sounds really good to me! So here's my oh-so-perfectly-worked-out plan...
1. Save money
2. Learn (more) German
3. Prepare 5 - 7 arias for German auditions until I can sing them really, really well.
4.. Go back to Germany during audition season
5. Write as many companies as I can find that might have openings for a singer like me and request an audition
6. Hopefully, get some auditions.
7. Sing really, really well.
8. See what happens!
Easy as pie, right? Anyway, the pumpkin pie I made (from scratch! from a local pumpkin! and sweetened with local honey!) for Thanksgiving this year turned out a lot better than last year's pie. So maybe I've learned something...
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