A very swinish influenza

OK, so I don’t know for a *fact* that I have swine flu. I do have something, either a bad cold or a flu of some type, so I’ve spent the past couple days off work, lying around and watching movies. It would be a lot of fun if I weren’t physically so [...]

Read Full Post »

Unlike real life…

I had an awful dream last night. I had an audition for something – I can’t remember what, but instead of arias they wanted two art songs. OK, I thought, and picked two that were impressive and I sing well, and put the sheet music in a binder.
The audition was in one of [...]

Read Full Post »

Unwise Ipod blogging

So here I am, on my couch, barely able to type because there are two basset hounds lying on me, about to unwisely discuss sensitive personal and professional matters on the internet.
I blame the combination of fish & chips, beer, and anime.
So I had an audition today. For what I will not [...]

Read Full Post »

Complaining with Kay, Episode 34.5, Literary Supplement: New York Series, Part 2.

Seriously, the most ungainly title ever. The 2nd part of my 2007 trip to NYC to compete in the Lotte Lenya International Vocal Competition.
In this episode: I compete, then wander around Manhattan eating things.
Link.

Read Full Post »

Repertoire

For an audition next month, five arias under five minutes each.  My notes from trying to figure out what to sing:
- Durch Zartlichkeit
- Caro nome
- Les oiseaux dans la charmille
- Lulu
- Stravinsky is too long.  I need something shorter in English: New music?

– I’m not doing any goddamn Britten.
– Why don’t I have [...]

Read Full Post »

It’s here!

The Torture Memos is more or less done – may require a few tweaks, but that’s it.
Listen to it here.
Or listen to it live tonight!

I hear John Yoo has lawyered up…

Read Full Post »

Coming soon…

Read Full Post »

Melancholy Inventory

Today I did something I’ve been putting off for weeks.  I wrote the third of my opera libretti (librettos?  whatever), the one about Edith Sitwell.  Here’s a little excerpt, in the style of Facade:
Melancholy Inventory
The gilded bee
The satin sea
The black sun rising over me
The honeycomb
The marksman’s tomb
The exit from the morning’s womb
The sheep-like crowd
The laugh [...]

Read Full Post »

Complaining with Kay, Episode 22: The Rites of Bacchus.

I discover the optimal level of alcohol consumption for listening to music.  Also, how to save the world’s symphonies and opera companies.
Yes, I know that makes two podcasts in a row about booze.
Direct link.

Read Full Post »

Done for now

I had an audition yesterday.  It went fine, though I was kind of nervous and babbled a bit, and the high D sharp in Caro Nome fluted a bit (dammit!).  I don’t think I’ll get anything from it, but you never know.
Anyway, unless something spectacular comes up, or something I’ve already inquired about calls me, [...]

Read Full Post »