Friday, July 18, 2008

Gratitude - Day 139

I am breaking my rule by posting a "gratitude photo" that I didn't actually take, but I made the rule, so, what? Who's gonna tell?

I'm just so darn grateful that I know Josè-Manuel Zapata. Truly, he is one of those people that makes my life SO much better and brighter and more beautiful. He makes me laugh with his sardonic wit, cry with his plangeant voice, and love life all the more by his incredible spirit! (He is also apparently a pretty good role model for my "Idamante" - although I'm pretty sure I could take him!!)

I'm grateful for this beautiful man!

(and technically, I set up the shot, so it counts a little bit - thank you to Eva, my wonderful makeup artist not only for transforming me into a guy - more or less, but also for taking this photo: Muchas gracias, Guapa!)

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi JoyDe (just kidding)

I really enjoy your voice, and thanks a lot indeed for the beautiful gift of your voice and a talented artist to all of us. Please pick this comment such a kind of e-mail, as I don't know your e-mail addy and your blog is moderated (you may read this one and delete it).
As I told you in my former comment, I won't see you at the Real (money... that's all), I hope to get a ticket for December performance to enjoy your voice "live".
And please, just a question... Is your blog "yours" in its entirety?... I mean, no personal assistant, just you the one who writes out there? We've been talking about this issue on our forum (www.unanocheenlaopera... A night At the Opera, after Marx Bros.)
Are the whole words and feelings showed on it written by you? (sorry, I don't want to bother you with this question).
Anyway... tanks a lot for reading me... and all the best to you, here in Madrid and in your whole life.
My "Gratitude day 1", to you.

Thanks a lot indeed.

Edgar

(edgar.mail@gmail.com)

Anonymous said...

Hi JoyDe (just kidding)

I really enjoy your voice, and thanks a lot indeed for the beautiful gift of your voice and a talented artist to all of us. Please pick this comment such a kind of e-mail, as I don't know your e-mail addy and your blog is moderated (you may read this one and delete it).
As I told you in my former comment, I won't see you at the Real (money... that's all), I hope to get a ticket for December performance to enjoy your voice "live".
And please, just a question... Is your blog "yours" in its entirety?... I mean, no personal assistant, just you the one who writes out there? We've been talking about this issue on our forum (www.unanocheenlaopera... A night At the Opera, after Marx Bros.)
Are the whole words and feelings showed on it written by you? (sorry, I don't want to bother you with this question).
Anyway... tanks a lot for reading me... and all the best to you, here in Madrid and in your whole life.
My "Gratitude day 1", to you.

Thanks a lot indeed.

Edgar

(edgar.mail@gmail.com)

Gi said...

Fun pic!
Did you really cut and colour your hair?

Carlos said...

Zapata got a great success in his debut at the MET. It is great that both of you are scheduled for a Barbiere at the MET on 2009-2010 season!

Yankeediva said...

Edgar - thank you for your compliments, and I'm sorry that you won't be able to attend the show. (But if I may be so bold, do try for a ticket in December - I'm hugely enthusiastic about the program, and we kick off the tour here in Madrid! Olè!) About my blog - every single word is, indeed, mine. I'm the only one who can post to it, I also read and post all the comments, all errors are mine, AND unless I (hopefully) credit it otherwise, all the photos you see have been taken by me! Honestly, I would never allow something like this to be made to appear to be mine, when in fact someone else was doing the work - it's most definitely not my style. I decided to do this (even if it's a lot of extra work on my part), because I thought there may be an audience "out there" who would appreciate hearing the mundane, extraordinary, and backstage trials and celebrations. Actually - this is turning into a post unto itself, so maybe I'll elaborate more later. But yes, every word you see here has been written and posted (grammar mistakes and all) by yours truly!

And GI - HA! I'll pass on the "compliment" to my wig lady. In fact, it's a wig, but one which has been done quite well - making a man's wig (whether for a mezzo or tenor) is REALLY challenging to make look natural, but I think they did quite well on this one. (It's the sideburns that make it for me!)

And Carlos - the adorable Zapata! I'm not sure we're on together in NY next season, but it would be lovely if it were true! (I think he's on the Armida....)

CHEERS para todos!

Vissi d'arte said...

Joyce, I love Zapata! He's my favourite tenor nowadays, and as a person he's just as wonderful as you describe him, I can tell. This picture shows you two like you actually are, beautiful, lovely, shinny people. And you're also such great singers!! You were ment to like each other, and I really adore you both :-)

And now I have to say: what a wonderful performance you offered us last night, Joyce!! You were the best thing of the night- what a perfect, deep, full of feelings Idamante you created. So moving, so beautiful, so real. Congratulations.

After your Idamante, the best thing last night was meeting you in person. Though I was so nervous I couldn't say anything with much sense... thank you for being so kind and patient! You are just as you seem in your blog... maravillosa!

It's us that must be grateful for having you...

Muchos besos :-)

P.S. Would you mind if I uploaded this lovely picture of Zapata and you to my blog? I would say it belongs to you, of course...

Anonymous said...

Hi

Thanks a lot for your answer, indeed. I was reading (and enjoying) your blog and suddenly I wondered... Am I really reading Joyce herself?... A blog, as you say, is an extra effort... a lot of work to be done, to upload pictures, to read the comments posted back... I mean, it's a hard job, ain't no doubt about it. As we sadly live in a world full of merchandising, star-system and political correctness, I guess some blogs out there may not be what they seem, just like a Q&A sheet written by an assistant, or maybe some people are giving supplementary support in carrying on a job like this.
Nevertheless, I was wrong, and I'm really happy about being wrong with you. I'll start reading back again all your entries, smiling and knowing for sure this time... this is Joyce herself.

Thanks a bunch for sharing with us your backstage trials, your photos, and a slice of life, "your" life, and your deepest thoughts as well as you share the way you live "behind the scenes".

I'm attending the Real this afternoon, sadly you won't be there, but I swear I'll do my best to get a ticket for the Madrid stop in "FURORE" Handel Tour European leg.

Gratefully yours...

Cheers

Edgar.

Kenderina said...

Very funny !!! Looks like you are having a great time singing together ;) I've never had the chance to hear any of you two live..but I will be in London for Don Giovanni so I think my "problem" will be soon resolved (if I manage to see Jose Manuel Zapata anywhere else !!).

Carlos said...

According to the info provided on the re-born Sieglinde's Diary blog Zapata is supposed to be on Armida with Renée Fleming on 12. April-15. May 2010 and on Il Barbiere di Siviglia on 14. Sept-12. Nov 2009 or/and 8. Feb-2. Mar 2010 with Joyce DiDonato and Maurizio Benini conducting.

Mei said...

I had the pleasure to meet Zapata last December during his Tancredi performances at Teatro Real...

He really is a lovely person and his anecdotes are very amusing...

He is a gteat singer too... It would be great you two share the stage for those performances at the MET...

And yes, he's on Armida with Fleming...

Chicago Usher said...

Dear Joyce ~

I have been waiting for someone from el foro (http://www.unanocheenlaopera.com/viewtopic.php?t=9398&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) to see your wonderful posts and write, and now Edgar has. If you look at the above address you will see the theme they have started for your performances. I am so happy they will know you better thru your blog!

Un abrazo muy fuerte y BRAVA BRAVA ! ! ! de "Adinca"

Yankeediva said...

Thank you everyone, and yes, Pa-pa-pa-pagena, it was lovely meeting you, as well!

Glad I'm on the record as well, confirming that these late night/early morning postings are truly mine, and that the world knows how much I adore JMZ!!!!

CHEERS!