An Evening of Song

On Saturday, March 14, I sang with The Capitol City Opera Company in their Evening of Song. I sang first Laetitia's aria Steal Me, Sweet Thief from The Old Maid and the Thief by Gian Carlo Menotti and second Susana's aria Deh vieni, non tardar from Don Giovanni by Mozart. John LaForge joined me as Giovanni in the duet La ci darem la mano as I sang Zerlina. We are trying to raise enough money to keep the company afloat and perform two operas next year. I am scheduled to sing Monica in The Medium in the Fall and then hopefully, La Traviata will go on in the Spring. It had to be cancelled due to lack of funding this year. We did this evening of song instead.

Busy! Busy!

I finished up the last performance of Dracula today. We all felt really jazzed about it. After 8 performances, we finally got it just right. Now, I wish we could do it for another weekend.
I was just hired to be the soprano chorus for a production of Dido and Aeneas for Brenau University, so that's the next thing on the list.
I'm still doing The Sound of Music. I had my serious doubts about this production but have been pleasantly surprised at how well everyone has pulled it together to make a decent show. And, of course, Mali is precious as always!
I've been doing lots of school shows this month. We're going to perform Seussome Twosome for Mali's 7th birthday and hopefully raise a little money for Capitol City Opera Company.

The Daily Grind and Dracula

The Reminiscents did a fantastic gig on Saturday night. We sang all our favorite songs for a packed house. I thought people would just come in and out, but they were enjoying it so much, they stayed for the whole 2 hours. What a compliment!
I am thoroughly enjoying singing Dracula with the Atlanta Ballet. It's only 7 minutes at the very end, but it's very difficult music. I'm loving the challenge!

Coming up

The Reminiscents will be playing a gig at The Daily Grind, on the corner of Piedmont and Sandy Plains in Marietta. We'll be there on Saturday, January 31 from 8 - 10. We'll be singing 2 great sets of music ranging from 1955's Sincerely through 1971's Different Drum and everything in between.
After that, I'll be singing with the Atlanta Ballet for their production of Dracula. It is seven minutes of bone chilling music at the end of the ballet. Gives me nightmares just to practice it at home! Thanks to Michael O'Neal for casting me in this.
Throughout February into the first weekend of March, I will be appearing alongside my oldest daughter in The Sound of Music at Blackwell Playhouse. Mali is playing Gretl in her theatrical debut and I will be playing Mother Abbess.

Feelings of "Alleluia"

December is off to the races! This first week of December has been a blur of rehearsals and performances, but it isn't over yet. I performed my recital "Alleluia" in Douglasville on Wednesday night. It was quite well attended and the folks there were so kind in welcoming me. Ben and I received a standing ovation and so I got to perform my encore "O Holy Night" which of course is everyone's Christmas favorite.
Last night, I sang at The Festival of the Nativity. What a lovely experience! I appreciated how well organized everything was, but that was nothing compared to how beautiful the nativity sets were. I was moved to tears several times by the beauty of the music and the spirit of Christmas that I felt there. I was also so pleased to see so many friends and family who came to hear me sing. I am always grateful when I am able to share the gifts with which God has so richly blessed me with those around me. It is the reason I love to perform so much!
Tomorrow will be The Michael O'Neal Christmas concert with the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet. I just love a good brass quintet! This concert is really great. And the Poulenc Motets are to die for!
Then, I have one more week to prepare for my recital at Ragamuffin Music. I am looking forward to another opportunity to share this recital. I have put a webpage together so ya'll can see the program, hear me singing a snipet of it, and order tickets (www.ambersalleluia.blogspot.com).
As I was putting together the program, I found myself being drawn to music and carols that had to do with Mary and the Baby Jesus, specifically those that speak of Mary's tender feelings toward her child, her amazement at being the mother of this "man, yet very God". I suppose as a mother of three, I can relate to those feelings. I have always been amazed at the miracle of motherhood and am so grateful to be able to hold my babies, sing to them, and see God in their eyes. What a priviledge it is for me to be able to represent Mary in expressing her feelings through the songs on my recital "Alleluia". I hope that everyone I have told about this recital will make an effort to spend next Saturday night with me. I pray that all in the audience will be touched by the beautiful music and that it will truly set the tone for a Christ-filled Christmas. Music is meant to elevate us to a higher level. We can express emotions through music that cannot be felt using mere words. That is why I sing!