Singing in the Summer!

I just got back from participating in my first ever summer intensive, and I cannot believe the experiences and the things that I learned in three weeks! I don’t even really know how to begin to share everything! I think I'll just start at the beginning...

Being in a new environment is like being back on the first day kindergarten, it's a little nerve wracking but you find friends easily. Its also helpful when there is a whole gaggle of people you know from school: #PICKLEPRIDE. Anyway, I have never been to Colorado before and it was stunning! LOOK AT THE MOUNTAINS (That I got to look at everyday for three whole weeks :)

The gaggle of Pickles: Michael Redding, Scott Lee, Nichole Annis, Steve LaCosse, Logan Webber, Eliza Mandzik, Jamie Albritten, (Me), Jalen Hicks, Dottie Gallagher-Smith, Omarius Credle, Carson Weddle

We all sang for each other and then the work began preparing for our first concert which was in 5 days time. For this concert we had the guidance of Craig Terry, a fantastic Collaborative Pianist, and knowledgable coach who was so inspiring! It was such a treat getting to sing Ilia in the quartet from Mozart’s Idomeneo with these amazing artists!​

After the concert on Friday everyone was in preparation mode for the first scenes concert which was on Sunday afternoon. Thank goodness my scene wasn’t until the following concert on the Sunday after that. But I got to channel my inner techie and help out backstage for the first scenes concert. I loved getting  to be there with everyone and seeing everyone in their element.

Then Monday I started rehearsing for my scene which was the opening of Beethoven’s Fidelio (Side note: Those of you who have visited my blog before or who know me, know how much I ADORE Beethoven, if you don’t you have to understand how over the moon I was when I got the casting email saying I was singing Marzelline in Fidelio, it was a fabulous moment!) That week was my toughest week because that was my big performance, and it was a big scene for everyone involved. but it was worth all of the stress and I am so proud of how it turned out! I am so grateful for the people who I got the chance to sing that piece with. I learned so much from them and they helped me through the more stressful moments, they made that scene even more special. 

Fidelio, is Beethoven's only opera. It tells the story of a Woman (Leonore) who has disguised herself as a man (Fidelio) in order to save her husband from death as a political prisoner. The Prison Guard she is working for (Rocco) has a daughter (Marzelline) who has fallen in love with her alter ego, Fidelio. There is a local boy (Jacquino) who has always loved Marzelline, but now Marzelline wants nothing to do with him. Find out more about Beethoven's opera HERE

During this second week we also had a guest, Peter Randsman, and once again I was totally encouraged and inspired by everything he said and the way he talked about Opera. Mr. Randsman, if you happen upon this, Thank you!!! 

After Fidelio and honestly throughout the entire program everyone had been working on the two Puccini operas that we were presenting the last weekend. Suor Angelica (That’s the one I was in!) and Gianni Schicchi. Luckily I had a smaller role in this production, because I can’t imagine having more on my plate! This production with these ladies was so fabulous and Carmenchú, the AMAZING soprano they brought in to sing Angelica was another person that God placed in my life at this Festival who again lit the flame of inspiration and I am so thankful for her and her performance, I always feel like I learn so much from just being able to share the stage with artists like her. 

Nuns! Michelle Guillot, Deborah Anderson, Carmenchú Dominguez, Me!

Carmenchú (Suor Angelica) and Me (Suor Dolcina)

There were so many fabulous new people I got to meet and get to know and learn from but there were also many people who I had worked with before but who I got to know and grow with and be inspired by. Michael Redding was one of those people. Having a lesson with him and unlocking some super cool breath things and just talking with someone who I admire so much was something I needed; and again God put him there right where he knew we both would be! Then of course there were all my pickle pals who I am so thrilled that they were there to share this experience with me. 

I am so grateful for the #OPERAtunities that the Vocal Arts Festival at The Opera Theater of the Rockies gave to me and for the people that I meet and grew closer to through this program. I will never forget the people I met or the experience of this past summer!

​Bonnie