See Buehne Bremen, Tamino…
This week was really something else. during the week had some rehearsals and I studied a lot for an upcoming concert. Thursday arrived as planned, I had a performance of Onegin, it went really well. Friday morning came and I got a call after having breakfast. I was offer 2 performances of Tamino in a production of the Magic flute. When? right on that day and the 2nd one on Saturday. I made the necessary arragements here at the theater cause we are rehearsing Hoffmann, thanks to the stage director I was allowed to go to do this 2 performances. But I would have to be back on Sunday morning or latest afternoon cause today I had again Onegin. So, 4 performances in 4 days, 2 Taminos and 2 Onegin. On the moment I said yes, I knew it would be a very challenging weekend. The Magic flute took place in Bremen at the See Buehne (Open air stage by the river), using microphones and a capacity for around 2000 people. Almost after I had the call I had to take the train which would arrive a little more than 2 hours before the performance. On the train I learnt the text of this production and the numbers that were cut. I had to remember a bit the music, although it is still very fresh. This season I sang around 20 shows of Magic flute at my theater, so I knew it was still on my voice. I arrived to the performance place around 5, I had 20 minutes with the stage director, she explained really quick entrances and exits and where to sing my arias, etc. I had a sound check, costume fitting, warmed up my voice, rehearsed my lines, and at 7:30 performance started. The organizer was really kind to me and really grateful that I came to sing the performance in such short notice. I got recommened by the Papageno ( Daniel Fiolka) with whom I have made several productions together here in Wuerzburg. And I did with him already Magic flute. This made things easier as we have several scenes together and we just knew how to be comfortable and organized during the performance. The conductor of the show was really friendly and we managed really well to make music during the performance. The second show went also really well, but after that 2nd show and already 3rd consecutive day singing a performance everyday I started to feel a bit tired. Not so much vocally but all in all. Nevertheless, before this second Tamino I run during the afternoon for 8.5 Kilometers in the Hotel Gym. I bought some Asics shoes for jogging on sale in a huge shopping mall just about 3 minutes walk from the hotel. It was really convinient as it was there where I chilled out during Saturday morning before the show.
This morning I woke up at 7am. Took a taxi to the station after having a very early breakfast at the hotel. Took the train at 8:30am and I was back in Wuerzburg at 1:20pm ish. Normally the german trains are not on time and lately they are reparing a lot, so one knows in advance that there may be delays. However, by miracle exactly today my train arrived 20 minutes earlier than planned. I could not believe it, it took me like 5 seconds to realice that I was in Wuerzburg, I double checked the screen on the train, I even checked and saw through the windows to really prove that I was indeed in Wuezrburg. It just felt so surreal. I must say those 20 minutes extra I used them to rest at home, before heading to the theater around 4:30pm to get to my make up time and prepare for the performance of Onegin at 6pm. I made it there I sang and I was so so tired after the show. I am really happy I survived this weekend and that all went well.
It was indeed a crazy weekend, and I had to be really cleaver on how to take care that I get through it, and I am happy to say that I did. Next week will be a bit challenging as well with 3 performances of Onegin (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), while rehearsing Hoffmann as well (where I sing Nathanael and Spallanzani).
It was a very good experience and challenge this weekend. I am glad I could help the production of Magic flute in Bremen and that the organizer was really happy with my job in such short notice. Tomorrow I will definitely have a relaxing day with no singing to get my energy back, I am looking forward for a day more or less at home.
Well, I wish you a nice evening and see you next week, take care.
