One week later

Dear Readers,

This is a "life after" OTP post (I was tempted to write a post-OTP post, but even that is too corny for me).

The summer rounded out very well in Pittsburgh. Sunday July 27th was the last Merry Widow performance. We performed in the afternoon for a matinee performance. Merry Widow was the first and last opera to be presented for the audience. They said it was the best of the three nights.

Merry Widow Act II - Camille (Me) and Hannah (Anna Singer)

Merry Widow Act II - Valencienne Camille Hannah

Merry Widow Act II -Valencienne (Gail Novak) Camille Hannah

Merry Widow Act II - Camille and Hannah out from Pavillion

Merry Widow Act II -Camille Aria

Merry Widow Act II - Camille and Danilo (Dimitrie Lazich)

Merry Widow Act I - Camille and Valencienne

Merry Widow Act II - Camille Valencienne Duet

Something curious about Opera Theater Pittsburgh: after each opera they offered a concert, (formerly known as Nightcaps) called Cabaret. The audience would be in attendance for the opera (The Merry Widow, Ariadne, The Fantasticks) then invited for drinks and an hour of random broadway and jazz selections. I brought my bass to accompany those singers doing standards (yes, maybe a little out of my education but we had fun).

I heard some of the audience at the Cabarets would come just for the cabaret and skip the opera!

We had a cast party, said our goodbyes and I drove back to New York with rising mezzo-soprano Erika Hennings.

In summary: OTP was a great experience. I enjoyed performing, the city of Pittsburgh, and meeting great colleagues. I learned that I have a lot of great qualities and I am headed in the right direction. I also loved Timothy Lefebvre's master class, working with Robert Chaffin, the Lazich family, Marianne Cornetti, of course Ray Blackwell.

 Thanks for reading,
Joe