Vienna, Kunde, Billy Budd…

This week was a really special one. After having a performance of Falstaff in Wuerzburg, I took on Monday morning a train to Vienna, and after 7 and a half hours I was there, in that beautiful city.

The reason on going all the way to Vienna was to meet with legendary Tenor Gregory Kunde, I already commented on him, back few weeks ago in one of these blogs and about his Otello in Dresden, just mind blowing. It was an incredible experience. This time I had the opportunity thanks to his kindness to sing for him in a lesson on Wednesday and on the following day I went to see his Billy Budd which he kindly again provided me with a ticket, and the place was very good.

He was again amazing as Captain Vere, just so convincing and his voice so solid, it is just so clear and cuts through the orchestra so well and still a round and powerful sound, it is hard to believe he is reaching 70 and still sings like this. Not only that, he is singing constantly and is very active, I do not know any other tenor that in the current times sings like him at that age and that is actually still making career. He is the clear example of a smart career and an example of longevity and good technique. He sang half of his career only belcanto and only in his 50s he started to sing bigger repertoire and his voice grew, and sings pretty amazing. On top of that, he is an artist and he creates a character and portrays the roles with heart and interligence.

After the performance I had the opportunity to get his sign on one of my music scores and later I was lucky to get invited to have dinner with him and his friends and also the main cast of the evening to an Italian restaurant called I believe "Ristorante sole". It was a very nice dinner and I managed to talk to him only a bit but mostly with hi friends, they we are very friendly, like he is. Thank you maestro Kunde for the time, I will follow your advice and explore the ways you showed me during the lesson, thank you for your words of encouragement. It was a very special kind of experience and I will have this memory until the end of my life.

On my time in Vienna I got to see few friends and enjoy very nice coffee places. Also found a very nice Japanese restaurant where I had lunch one time and also a Mexican shop where I got some nice tortillas and some sweets.

I keep doing my exercise routine and and reading daily Holiday and Tolstoi.

Take care and see you next week.