Christmas, Carmina Burana, Die lustige Witwe...

This week started on the 25th with a performance of Die lustige Witwe (Akiho was there), it went well but all of us were a bit tired cause we ate a lot on 24th and of course many of the members were with family and celebrating. The following days I spent them with Akiho, before she left on 28th because she had rehearsals in Chemnitz for 9th Bethoven and performance on 31st December. I meanwhile got a call for a last minute jumping in, the following day (29th), for Carmina Burana. I have done it before but the last time was like over 5 years ago, I think. I decided to accept it and I am glad I did, somehow this part suits me really well and although is really high it always work and I am able to sing it, and never in falsetto, this time it worked as well and for that I am very happy, so the concert was on the evening of the 29th, located at about 45 min. from Wuerzburg, in a small city called Marktheidenfeld. It was for the 75th year anniversary of the city. It was in a big church completely full and a fantastic audience.

Finally today 31st of December, I had double performance of Witwe (3pm and 7pm). It was challenging but again all worked out well. I must pace myself and prepare very well vocally and mentally on how to cope with the 2 performances. It was not easy and I kept really well hydrated and had some coffee in between and some food, just a little bit, otherwise I cannot sing when I have a full stomach. I was very happy my aunty Tamara, Tabata and Travis came from Berlin in the morning to see the performance at 3pm. They will stay over tonight at our flat. Tamara and I just came back from watching the fireworks at the river and it was really cool. There, we met some colleagues of the theater by chance and enjoyed the time. They are in Europe for work and also travelling around. I am very happy I could speak some Spanish and to spend time with a part of my family and that they got the chance to see me performing on stage for the first time, I missed Akiho though. Thank you guys for coming to visit me, I will miss you when you are gone.

I continue with my 4 times exercise a week and reading The daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday. Also starting the Discourses by Epictitus. This week I did not touch "The laws of Human Nature" Greene becuase I was busy and decided for the world of Epictitus, following up the Stoic school. I also read again some parts of Seneca's letters, in order to write them down on one of my notebooks. It is so useful to read parts over and over again, specially philosophy.

I hope you are well and I wish you a Happy New Year!!!

Take care and see you next week.