It’s great to be back in Montisi. Rural life is my favorite, and a quick stop in this little hill top town is just what I need between big town visits.
I just finished a Master Class in Rome exclusive to all but Santa Cecilia students and am on my way to Florence for a similar encounter with young people engaged in educating themselves in the vocal arts. Today marks the first morning of diminished cold virus symptoms that attached me as soon as I hit terra firma this trip. It is such good planning to give oneself
time to acclimate before having to go to work, but this cold gave me fits in Rome notwithstanding the three day recuperation period I built into my schedule. My first day in Europe I dedicated to my pillow. Yes I bring it with me. And it served me well. Sleeping would seem a great battle plan since I was able to meet my commitments in Rome even on the edge of losing my voice to laryngitis. My pillow was my destination when not engaged in my
employment.
Anyway I had every intention of writing new blogs about singing and voice and Rome and and…. Well, let’s just say I wanted to dispel any mistaken impression that I had lost interest in this blog site after putting it on line over a year ago. And here I am enjoying small town Italy in the company of Opera loving friends getting things ready for the Montisi Master Class.
Yesterday Silvia and I had fun working in the little jewel box theatre where the Montisi Class will take place. The piano on loan from Silvia’s friend had to be placed appropriately for the space, and I was there to watch the expert from Siena direct three local strong men as they helped him maneuver the baby grand piano down a set of stairs and into the theatre. After it was well situated in the mini-orchestra space between the front row
seats and the stage, the Montisi muscle men departed as did the expert from Siena, Silvia and I walked her dogs and back we came to do a little sprucing up before the main events of next week.
My symptoms had by yesterday reached a plateau. My voice was hanging by a thread but, at least, my constant enervation had lifted. A retired tenor has no business worrying about his voice, and
I adhere to that policy with great joy. But, to have to push myself forward from lack of energy is something no tenor wants to do. We want to be inspired and full of motivation. Today is a day of inspiration. The sun is up, the weather is perfect and I went out to greet my favorite views from the Montisi mount.
As you can see, spring has sprung on this part of the world and this tenor is happy to enjoy every sight and smell…. Yes, I did pass this little local bakery and was drawn through the front door by the aroma of
yeast and baking bread wafting through the street. I’m now happily consuming my purchase.
This afternoon I’m Florence bound. I hope to have something useful to publish in the next few days, but in the mean time I want to thank everyone for coming to read my blog.
May good health be your constant companion. Sneezing and coughing are no fun at all.