Kunde, Parma, Mexico…

Hi there! This week was a very intense one and full of great joys. As you remember from the previews blog I was just arriving to Parma in Italy, where for 3 days I had a masterclass with Renato Bruson. I was already there once, back in February taking classes, and I commented on him (Bruson) on the blog with the following link ( https://www.robertoortiztenor.com/blog/x5ymg4lpkgllrf3-22b2f-ke9sx-n4nps-2m65n-2lfbr-ljdsc-gsc5t-ar4dg-w44t7-f6znm-jp3pw-zg2dt-85wsc ) . Well, this time was no different and I have simply no comment, just to say it was a kind of abuse from the organizers who just took money from literally no teaching at all. And they brought us there with the intention of doing an audition for some people, and one day before the planned audition, they communicated to us, it was not actually an audition and only that some people come to see the foundation and they will also listen to us. So, yes, we sang for some theatre people but it was not that they were auditioning us, just making the favor to listen to the singers of  the course. I hope you understand what I mean. I will leave it there because it is not even worth to spend more letters to this rather disappointing experience. Having said that, as you may know me, I learn even from unfortunate events in my life and keep moving forward. I was happy I sang well during the classes and the “audition” and I kept going through my audition arias and just as rehearsal for future opportunities.

Now, the amazing thing was that, as you may also know from previews blogs, I do follow Gregory Kunde and I saw already his Otello in Dresden, Billy Budd in Vienna and just before I flew to Parma, I was checking the Teatro Regio schedule and by the grace of God, he was performing Andrea Chenier at the same time I was in Parma taking the course. I now after all, realize I did not go to Parma to sing the course but to see Mr. Kunde on the stage again with this Opera and to be again inspired and also as surprise, there was the presentation of his Italian biography the day after his performance. During the Recita of Chenier I was lucky to meet his biographer and writer Jose Luis Jimenez, we spoke during the pause and we met after the performance. I was able to greet mr. Kunde after the show and get his book signed (which I bought during the performance). Mr. Jimenez was so friendly and we both share pure admiration towards Kunde, of course he wrote an entire book about him. Afterwards, I joined them for dinner but I did not stay long because the next day I had classes with Bruson in the morning. The next day I went to the presentation of the book and I managed to ask questions and the whole event was really nice and people in Italy really are amazed that Kunde over 70 years old, is still showing so much Kraft on stage and impressive technique.

To talk about Kunde for me is almost like a spiritual experience. I was really happy that after the Performance when I was at the artists entrance, he remembered me after seeing each other last time in Vienna where he gave me one lesson. During the meeting and afterwards during the dinner and the following day during and after the presentation of his book, we could speak and exchange thoughts on singing and some spiritual topics and family topics. I Roberto am so interested in the personal side of great artists, with Kunde since I met him I felt a very special aura around him, what he projects with his presence is very almost magical. Perhaps I sound weird to you because for me is weird too, I was never in the presence of an artist that makes me feel like this, there is something holly about him. Perhaps is his amazing openness, his groundness and generous attitude, they way he interacts with people, the way he presents himself on stage, I always feel a very strong self believe coming from him and to my thinking, I was happy to hear that indeed he is a very religious man. I literally asked him because I feel such a strong energy of calmness and sort of divine coming from him. Perhaps I am being really bias but I never felt something like that from an artist.

For me to talk about what we spoke and his views on the questions I made, perhaps in the future I will make a blog just dedicated to him, but all I can say is that for me is such an example and a hug source of inspiration, specially on this time of my life where I am starting to freelance almost from cero connections and where I must specially now cultivate resilience and self believe and specially believe in God.

After the course I headed to Bologna which is one of the culinary capitals of Italy and ate delicious food and walked its very old charming streets and visited some churches I did not see last time I was here and also visited the very beautiful Biblioteca Comunale dell’Archiginnasio, where Donizetti conducted the Stabat Mater from Rossini back in 1842. That was really special to find out, because I had no idea and for me is a bit bizarre that Donizetti played Rossini. The two monsters of the Belcanto repertoire and I hope some singers reading this data find it also kind of interesting.

Then I flew to Berlin again, slept few hours and took to flights and finally Yesterday (Saturday) I arrived to Mexico City. I am more or less destroyed after so intensive period but I am really happy I am in my land, and with family. I am here to see them and of course to give a small very private recital with a colleague and friend of mine Sergio Vazquez. I am looking forward to make music with him again after years of not being able to play together.

Alhtough travelling around, after each morning coffee at around 7 am during my time in Italy in nice little traditional coffee shops and doing my morning pages and daily reading, I went  back to my flat and did exercise, keeping up with my 4 times a week exercise, but it was difficult I must admit being in Italy and so busy but I did try to stick to it.

I hope you are well and please take care.