posted by mitchdy at 1:07 PMMarch 29th, 2009
So we are in the last week of rehearsals before opening night of Die Walkure on Saturday. I have to say that Placido Domingo sounds absolutely amazing! I really see a strong connection growing from Das Rheingold, which is really interesting. I am enjoying singing Fricka with James Conlon... I feel like we are really making music together, and it's very exciting. This is the orchestras first Ring, and I must say they are wonderful!
Our time here in LA/Santa Monica continues to be filled with blessings. We train every day for our 60 mile breast cancer walk, right on the beach! Makes 6 miles feel quick!
I wish you a wonderful day. God Bless, M
PS, If you are interested in donating for our Breast Cancer walk, you can go to either my site or Allans site. Just type in either MIchelle DeYoung or Allan Hedin.
http://www.the3day.org
posted by mitchdy at 11:34 PMMarch 17th, 2009
Last Sunday we did the final performance for this season of Das Rheingold, and are heavy into rehearsals for Die Walkuere. Allan and I enjoy living in Santa Monica so much, and I really appreciate the whole LA opera group. Christopher Koelsch, Josh Winograde, Marin Venturi, Julia Diamond, and Susan Lang are just 5 of the people that make it a true delight to work here.
I had a piano rehearsal with James Conlon yesterday, and our first sitzprobe last night.....which was such a delight. This Fricka scene is so full of drama, beauty, excitement, and fantastic music. It's so wonderful to sing! I am having a great time working with Conlon on it and discovering the music a little further.
I hope this finds you all very well. God Bless
posted by mitchdy at 10:19 AMMarch 19th, 2008
Well, in our last 2 performances, they were a bit more exciting than Tristan usually is or should be. In one, our wonderful Isolde, Debbie Voigt, got sick and had to run off stage during the 2nd act. And last night, our Tristan, Gary Lehman, was laying on a blanket that slipped downstage very fast, and he rammed into the prompters box, hitting his shoulder. I am very happy to say they are both fine now, and in both cases the show did go on. Hopefully our show on Saturday, our HD broadcast, will be a little less exciting!
posted by mitchdy at 8:52 AMMarch 11th, 2008
Last night we opened Tristan at the Met. It was such a thrill to sing Brangane here.... I have wanted to for a long time. As always, it is a thrill and a learning experience to work with the amazing James Levine. I am blessed for yet another opportunity to do so.
posted by mitchdy at 4:40 PMMarch 4th, 2008
We are in our final week of rehearsals. It is very exciting to do this role, Brangane, at the Met with Levine. I have enjoyed working with the whole production team, especially Steven Pickover, who is assistant director at the Met and always a pleasure to work with. Allan is here this week with me, which really helps so much, and is so much more enjoyable!
My greetings to you all, and I wish you well.
posted by mitchdy at 1:59 PMMarch 2nd, 2006
I am in Berlin, and have started staging rehearsals for the new production of Tristan und Isolde at the Staatoper. It is SO exciting. Katarina Dalyman is the Isolde, and I am really enjoying working with her, and she sounds terrific. Peter Seiffert, who I know from Tannhauser at the Met and Das LIed von der Erde in Berlin, will join us on Monday..and I can't wait! Roman Trekel is a fabulous Kurwenal, and of course Rene Pape OWNS Kønig Marke! Maestro Barenboim is conducting... who will join us I believe next week. The director is mostly a stage director by the name of Stefan Bachmann, and I really feel he is creative and very nice to work with. Our set is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in real life, and not in some special effects movie. I am really excited about this on all levels. PLUS I am having so much fun in Berlin right now, many friends live her or are visiting... That can really make a difference on traveling! I hope you are all well!!
