Heating things up

It's July 20, and I have 4 more days of the Italian Heat! I can make it, right? They will be busy days, but I can do 4 days! That's way easier than 5, and miles away from 6 days! The beautiful part, is that after I make it through these 4 days, I'm officially on a mini-vacation, and there is an Austrian Spa that has my name in neon lights flashing through the Alps! I can NEARLY smell the evergreens and feel the alpine breezes and the hot stones working their magic on my shoulders! Am I there yet?


(With the effervescent Franco Vassallo as Figaro)

Nope - I get two more lovely evenings at La Scala to perform in this glorious, historic production of Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's, relishing the opportunity to join in the enormous legacy of leading ladies who have donned Rosina's skirt for nearly two centuries here in Milan. (For curious minds, the first was Carolina Pellegrini on September 16, 1820!) I love being a part of such a legacy: not only being one of the many who have sung a role, but for example, tonight is the 171st performance of Barbiere at La Scala - imagine 171 performances, 171 audiences, 171 "Una voce poco fa's" - and that's only in one theater. I love to be a part of something that has traveled the world, been performed by so many different people, sung for so many different audiences - each night is something entirely new, and yet the unifying aspect of it all - over the centuries and cultures - brings a sense of peace and an "all is right with the world" sensation.


(With Juan Diego Florez as the Count and Alessandro Corbelli as Bartolo - perfection in so many ways!)

If I can't yet have my hot stone massage, I'll CERTAINLY take that for the moment!


(The famed Teatro alla Scala after hours)

I would also love to share some wonderful news with you all! I will be the recipient of the Female "Singer of the Year" for the Echo Klassik Awards, taking place in Essen, Germany on October 17. It's a wonderful award, and I'm truly honored and humbled to be receiving it - especially considering that my "counterpart" is Jonas Kaufmann!) Congratulations to the mighty list of winners!!


(The statue that bears the name of my lovely husband!)

And finally, an enormous "Grazie mille" to all the lovely people who came out to my "incontro" yesterday at the Scala Bookshop. It was a lovely (warm!) afternoon, and I appreciate your show of support very much!

In the meantime - back to Seville!
Olé!!