French Repose
Bonjour! Malheureusement, je ne reste pas à Paris maintenant. Mais! J’ai passé les plus bons temps!
[Translation: Hello! Unfortunately, I’m not staying in Paris right now, but I had such a good time!]
Before the season began, I spent a month in Paris with L’Alliance Française to complete an intensive language course. Incredibly challenging, but fun - and having extended time to explore the city was a true luxury! I spent an entire day at the Louvre, attended opening night at Le Palais Garnier (box seating!), auditioned for a few houses, and enjoyed quiet moments in all of the beautiful gardens. It was such an amazing experience and I hope to return soon! The minute I stepped back into the states, I was rushed into rehearsals for Jake Heggie’s Intelligence at Houston Grand Opera. I loved my time there. Great weather, a fabulous team, and covering an artist I deeply admire: J’Nai Bridges. It truly was a treat to interact with a brand new Heggie score.
December, I flew back to NYC to cover Kate Pinkerton [Madama Butterfly, Puccini] at my home house, The Metropolitan Opera. The first day of rehearsal was so memorable. I arrived early, and parked at a nearby coffee shop when I received a call from The Lindemann Program. They had a sick mezzo and the annual scenes recital was later that evening! I agreed to step in, missed the first moments of Madama rehearsal and learned the parts on the go. Everything went smoothly and it was so good to hear the progress of my colleagues! I was very proud of them.
As for the Madama rehearsal, I fangirled as I usually do: Kurzak, Polenzani, and DeShong - and I was being paid to hear it! One of the most elegant productions I've done, and it was such a full-circle moment. Madama Butterflywas my very first opera. When the performance was over, I was so moved that I declared to my parents (at 10 years old) that I would become an opera singer. 20 years later, I’m singing that same music in a sitzprobe at The Metropolitan Opera. I spent alot of time reflecting and thanking God, my family, and many mentors for their help and taking the time to see me. I appreciate you, and you have my gratitude.
Soon after, I was a finalist with The George London Foundation. I chose a challenging aria, O ma lyre immortelle [Sappho, Gounod]. I wanted the pressure of this competition to help stretch my abilities, and it definitely did! While I didn’t win the top prize, I left with an encouragement award and I’m looking forward to competing again.
Spring is the busiest part of my season. I returned to The Met to reprise the role of Bertha in Terence Blanchard's Fire Shut Up in My Bones, and enjoyed reconnecting with the returning cast after our 2023 Grammy win for Best Opera Recording! In between performances, I had the beautiful opportunity to celebrate Adolphus Hailstork at The Annual New York Choral Society Gala. Last season, Kenneth Overton, Bernard Holcomb, and I performed Hailstork's A Knee on the Neck with The New York Choral Society at David Geffen Hall. Mr. Hailstork enjoyed my performance and we are now collaborating on a song cycle!
Right now, I'm performing in Huang Ruo's An American Soldier at the Perelman Arts Center. A powerful opera based on the true story of Chinese-American Army Pvt. Danny Chen who, after months of severe abuse from fellow soldiers, was found dead in a guard tower at his base in Afghanistan in 2011. His case led former President Barack Obama to sign anti-hazing legislation. Bringing this story to life has been a true honor. We've had an incredibly thoughtful team guiding us through difficult scenes and text. They invited Army veterans to our rehearsals to share their personal experience and teach us how to become soldiers. One veteran even attended our tech rehearsals to make sure we managed weapons, commands, and our uniforms correctly. The highlight of the process will be meeting the Chen family at our opening on Tuesday, May 14.
My season finale will be John Rutter's Feel the Spirit with Capriccio Columbus, conducted by Larry Griffin. He is such a fun leader - I can’t think of a better way to end! I’ll be spending the summer coaching, enjoying my family, and career planning with my very first agent: Guy Barzilay.
