Eep...

Wow, I've been pretty quiet here for a good while...

Sorry about that. Life, as usual, has gotten pretty hectic, especially since this semester.

Some big things have happened since I last updated. The biggest thing was that I auditioned for a BIG music conservatory over Spring Break. It's one of the top music conservatories in the country, to be honest. I auditioned as an incoming transfer, so I'd hopefully finish my last two years in my undergraduate program there... provided I get in, of course.

If I do get in, it'll mean moving to a big city, far away from everyone I know. The prospect is a little scary, but I think the change will be very good. The music program is better, they have an actual Opera Department (yay!), and just the shear size of the music program will hopefully negate some of the ridiculous politicking like what goes on at the University where I currently study.

The audition went very well, and I should hear back sometime this week regarding whether or not I've been accepted into the program. Prayers that God's Will may be done in this would be greatly appreciated!

The next most important thing is the big recital that I'll be singing in later this month. I'll be giving the recital with a good friend of mine who is also a fabulous baritone. It's pretty exciting preparing for the event, because it'll be the first big solo-ish thing that I'm undertaking, plus the venue is spectacular, our accompanist is top-notch, and the repertoire selection is challenging, but also a lot of fun.

However, this means that much of my spare time is spent practising and memorizing foreign languages. Oh, the life of a singer!

Speaking of Opera and singing and such, over break one thing that I did was to go into New York City to the Metropolitan Opera. I went to go and see the Season Premiere of the new production of Gounod's Romeo et Juliette.

It. was. AMAZING.

The cast was incredible. Piotr Beczala sang Romeo and, in a last minute change from Angela Gheorghiu, Juliette was sung by Hei-Kyung Hong. It was, quite frankly, one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced.

Beczala was a perfect Romeo, delivering a performance that was breathtakingly nuanced. His voice is truly one that I could listen to for hours, and he didn't disappoint in this production either. The role of Romeo isn't easy, by any means, but Beczala owned it, with beautiful high notes and great depth of expression. I was reduced to tears in the final act.

Hong was equally impressive as Juliette. She was convincing as a young girl in love, yet torn by the rivalry that in the end destroys her happiness. She was in exceptional vocal form for the opening night, and the Je veux vivre was a delight to hear. I did miss Gheorghiu however, as she has more depth and body in her upper register than Hong does at times. Still, Hong's performance was effortless and the sparkle in her voice was gorgeous.

I definitely recommend going to see the production if you have a chance.

Finally, but not least, we are now upon Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Usually I cringe when I know Lent is approaching, but somehow not this year. On a personal level, things have been very trying in the last few months, and I know that Lent is the perfect time to help sort things out. I need to be more disciplined in my spiritual life, especially as I'm discerning a decision that may have a huge impact on my life. 

I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I should do for Lent this year, and I think I may have come up with a good regimen. I'm going to try to fast and abstain for all of Lent this year, provided my health will allow (it hasn't in the past...). Also, I'm giving up dessert, as usual. I'm going to make sure I say morning and evening prayers as well as daily spiritual reading (which has sadly fallen by the wayside) and definitely saying the Rosary every day. One of the biggest sacrifices, which will help with the last one immensely, is giving up instant messenger.

For me, IM eats up a huge amount of free time, although I'm not sorry for it. Two of my best friends live quite far away, so phone calls are expensive and IM is the best way to keep in touch. However, all my local friends are on as well, so I always end up in random conversations instead of, say, cleaning or doing homework or praying...

So, we'll see how Lent goes this year. So far, so good, but I'm not even a whole day through yet. ;) I'm going to try and keep this updated more often, so I should be posting again soon.

Have a Blessed Lent everyone!