Joyeux Noël et au revoir à Paris

It has been a very long engagement in Paris. We had our first rehearsal on October 15 and this afternoon we sang our 9th and final performance of “Fidelio”. This was an extremely successful run of this great opera--an opera I always enjoy performing. It’s time, however, for it to be over and for us to move on. It’s always hard to say good-bye to cast members who you have worked so closely with for several weeks. We become almost like a family as we have to support each other in many ways on and off the stage. However, there is nothing like being with your own real family and I can’t wait to get back to Pennsylvania tomorrow. I haven’t been able to join in the Christmas preparations or concerts this year so I’ll try and just enjoy these few special days that remain leading up to this Holy day. If all goes well, I will sing at church services on Christmas Eve as well.

My flight is scheduled to leave Paris tomorrow morning but with the weather being a bit rough on the east coast, everything may be delayed. If excitement could fuel an airplane, we’d be there in record time. Paris has been a good home away from home these many weeks but getting home to the real thing is far more inviting. I don’t know how much writing I’ll be doing over these next couple of weeks but rest assured that updates will be coming again after the first of the year. The next stop is Geneva, Switzerland in early January for “Salome”. It will be, once again, a long engagement with another new production. However, it’s the last job for me away from the United States for awhile. I’m looking forward to getting to work.

I wish you all a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.