Summer and Cleveland

What a great week I had in Cleveland!!! It is always a tremendous musical experience to sing with The Cleveland Orchestra. I am such a huge fan of their music making. Saturday evening, I performed with this tremendous ensemble under the baton of Franz Welser-Most and with the soprano Christine Brewer in an evening of highlights from Wagner operas. The performance was at the annual series of concerts at Blossom. What a venue!!! Any trip to Cleveland is enjoyed by this midwesterner but this one was truly special. The acoustics in that outdoor theater are the finest I’ve ever heard in an outdoor venue and the weather was simply marvelous. What a treat!!!

The next day, I travelled to Canton, OH to speak at a Wagner Society luncheon--their annual “Bratfest”. What a feast!!! I truly enjoyed spending the afternoon with these fellow lovers of the music of Richard Wagner.

I also enjoyed, while in Cleveland, a visit to a Cleveland Indians game and just being in this strong and sturdy city. The people are very warm and friendly and so helpful. I’m already looking forward to my return to the Cleveland area next week to teach at Baldwin Wallace University (Wagner Intensive). I’ll also be back in Cleveland next May to sing again with the Orchestra. Yahoo!!!

A few weeks back, I enjoyed time in Chicago with my youngest son as I sang performances of Britten’s “War Requiem” at Grant Park. Again, this was a great venue---spectacular. The weather was chilly for both concerts and a bit wet---but what a work and what a view. We visited some of the sights and got to spend time with family as well.

So, even though it’s been a summer with concerts and travel, I’ve enjoyed the downtime, too. August will be a restful month but we really crank things up in September for another hectic and joyous season of music making. Can’t wait!!!