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Hi!

I have just downloaded all the information on Eugene Onegin.  I studied it years ago to take an ill fated Smithsonia Santa Fe Opera trip.  The altitude made me sick so I came home.  (No insurance, no refund.)  Now, the San Jose Opera is presenting it so I finally get to see it.

So, first of all can you recommend the recording or DVD that is best? I love Black Dog Opera Library but they don't seem to have it and I can't find their website. A general question:  I saw a site once that said it had the biggest collection of opera materials (librettos, recordings, videos) but I've lost the site.  Amazon just doesn't cut it.  Do you know of a great site? What other resources do you recommend?

My favorite part is the song that begins "I'm not the sort to sit in silence, at night I never stay awake, and dream and dream ...so why be sad behave as I do". That girl has the right attitude, one I never had. Alas, the song is too low for me to learn. 

What is your favorite part?

What theme do you find most meaningful? 

My husband, who hates opera has agreed to go?  What is the best thing about the opera I can tell him to get him enthused. 

I know these are not great questions but maybe we can get the ball rolling.

Elizabeth 

In reply to #1:

 Hello Elizabeth!! 

I am actually a member of Opera San Jose and am one of the Resident Artist tenors who will be in Eugene Onegin.  I don't know what date you and your husband will be attending as it will depend on whether or not you'll see me or my counter-part (as we're all double cast), but I play Lensky.

 I can tell you that this production has been one of the high points of my operatic career.  My fellow colleagues are fantastic and the Director; Peter Kozma has truly put a lot of thought and energy into this production.  The production really focuses on the youthfulness of the characters and the conflicts within their place in society.  As you probably also know, I find that it contains some of the most beautifully written music and many characters with which to relate to.  Oh, as far as themes, there are too many to name.  Of course, I'm fond of Lensky's but Tatyana's letter scene is quite beautiful and stays with you.

 I would just tell your husband to keep an open mind, but I'm sure that he'll enjoy it.  The opera is in Russian with english supertitles.  I hope you find the experience as rewarding to watch as my colleagues and I feel it is to perfom it.  Thanks for coming and supporting us.

 Sincerely,

Michael Dailey

Hi Michael:

Wow!  It is a small world isn't it? 

I checked the date we are attending and I am sad to say we won't get to see you.  (But I am sure your conterpart is great too.) 

Congrats on your career high point.  I deeply admire people who can get as far as you can in theatre arts.  Lensky is a major part!  Break a leg.

I'd like to throw out a couple of questions to you about being in opera.  If you don't feel like answering them, feel free to just ignore me, no hard feelings. 

What is the rehearsal schedule like?  What kind of practice must you do on your own and how much?  How old were you when you started singing?  Was it easy for you or challenging?

I have always dreamed of "being on the stage" and have sung with choruses, done solos and duets and recitals.  People often tell me I have a lovely voice.  But recently I sang "Art is Calling for Me", that I had practiced for months, for a noted local trainer.  She was NOT impressed.  Just that much rejection left me quite insecure.  So, I guess I don't have the bounce back from failure self esteem that I need to compete in this town, even with community theatres and certainly not with professional theatres like Opera San Jose. 

A successful opera singer that I trained with said I should not persue any level of opera - there was too much competition. 

I'm sure you don't want to hear any more of my life story so I'll sign off now.

Post back or message back if you want.

Elizabeth