Studying, preparing, reading…

Hi there! This week was much more quiet as the last ones,  with the concerts and the travelling. I am glad I had the time to rest for a bit and be home.

These few days I have been preparing a couple of arias which are “Ella mi fu rapita… Parmi veder le lagrime” from Rigoletto, “Salut demeure” from Faust, “Kuda kuda” from Onegin and “Where’re you walk” from Semele. I prepare them for an audition next week in London. This is the first time I offer this arias all together and after practising them I find they all fit well together and reflect well my vocality. For me, any aria is difficult and I always have so much respect for anything I sing, but I do find “parmi veder” a real challenge. I remember when I sang the role few years ago, and after the first act which is already very challenging with “Questa o quella” plus the duet with Gilda, one is really warmed up and it really helped me to sing afterwards “Parmi”. But I find always out of the context of the opera really challenging, another example, same issue is Edgardo’s Aria. When in context within the performance is not as challenging as when I offer it in an audition.

I look forward to go back to London tomorrow for a couple of days, to audition and also to meet some people. Every time I go there is really special, I can not believe that already 15 years since left London, after finishing my Masters degree. I just love walking around and watching the beautiful architecture, going to some of my favorite book shops and coffee places. I already have written down few places I want to visit next week. This time I am taking my camera in case I feel like taking photos, but somehow I have the feeling I will not take any, as recently I have been bringing my camera but not really taking photos. Somehow the focus on reality without the lense is at the moment more attractive, but I do so often find good photos or angles of things, but I decide not to take the camera and just save it on my head.  

I keep my 4 time a week exercise routine, but I must definitely move around my routine sooo. I want to increment the weight off my dumbbells in some months and I want to add again some swimming. Very close to my place there is a swimming place I have not visited, which is a shame as I do enjoy swimming. Also, when the weather gets a bit warmer I will do some jogging.

I keep doing my daily reading of Holiday and Tolstoi, plus I am reading some books at the side. Take care and see you next week.