London, Great Malvern, Concerts…
Hi there! This week, I am coping with the jet lag after coming back from Japan. After only two days at home, I packed again and I flew to London and took a train to the countryside near Wales, where I had 2 small concerts, one was a joined recital with a Chinese Soprano and the second the Petite Messe Rossini. After the concerts I went back to London by train. In two days I go back to Germany, and I look forward to finally being back home and plan my season and take a much needed rest.
The concerts were at Great Malvern and they were challenging, mostly because I had the very busy weeks in Japan, sweating, travelling, singing, spending time with family and friends. Specially walking a lot, as I always do when in Japan. This week I had the jet lag and I could feel that I was carrying a bit of the tiredness of the Japan trip. How do I notice it? Well specially on my voice, the muscles were a bit tight and the lack of some mental focus due to the tiredness. Nevertheless, the concerts went well, and I really enjoyed singing again the Petite Messe. The recital was a long one, the first half went well, but it was on the second half where I found the balance, and I could sing more freely.
Being back in London always brings me memories of my days as student here at the Royal Academy of Music. Walking through the streets where I used to walk back when I came to study always makes me nostalgic, as well, I see the big difference of how it was then and how is now. So many new constructions and some places I used to go changed name or completely different businesses. I also see every time I come back how the city has evolved and how expensive it became. It was already very expensive, and now is worse than ever. I am being really wise how I spend my money this time. I have enjoyed few meals seating at a park, which is also very nice. I am fortunate that this time London has had a wonderful weather for the most of the time, and there is so many people outside and seating at the parks, doing all kinds of stuff. To feel the life of the city is also really nice.
During my train back to London I shared it with the Chinese soprano and due to an accident on the trains ahead of us near Birmingham, what it should have been a 3 hours ride, became a 6 hour ride. We had to get off the train, and wait for such a long time to the trains to start passing again, so the positive side of it is that we could speak a lot and exchange personal stories as well as talking about singing, career, music, etc. In the middle of this huge delay, I made a new connection with a singer colleague and I am happy to say we got along really well and I hope we develop a nice friendship.
I keep doing my morning pages and daily reading, and my 4 times a week exercise routine.
Please take care and see you next week.
