Alan's Blog...It's all Gesamtkunstwerk to me!

Thoughts from nearly 40 years on the professional stage

I like Being Busy

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the past couple of months have been the most busy of my career. Holding down multiple jobs (singer, teacher, director, guest clinician) can sometimes all come together at one time to make an overwhelming experience. However, all has come out well on the other side. Over the last several weeks, I directed “Le Nozze di Figaro” in a very fine production, with outstanding young singing actors, at Wichita State University. In the very same week that we were finishing the rehearsals and opening that run of performances, I was commuting daily back and forth between Wichita and Cleveland where I was singing Kurwenal in “Tristan und Isolde” with the amazing Cleveland Orchestra. They are truly one of the world’s greatest orchestras. What great performances those evenings brought!!!

At the same time I was handling all of those duties, I was learning a new opera (to me). “Der Freischütz” has now brought me to Vienna where we are well into our second week of rehearsals. I am playing the role of the another bad guy, Kaspar. So far, this looks to be a VERY interesting production. But, learning a new opera on top of everything else was taxing on the mind. It’s nice, now, to be able to concentrate only one hat that I’m wearing rather than juggling three at once.

I love being in Vienna. It is such a beautiful and historic city. Culture abounds on nearly every corner. The only drawback is that the pollen is horrendous at this time of year, but,
This too shall pass. I have never been one who has needed a lot of time off each year. Keeping busy has never been a problem. However, I do have to admit that I’m looking forward to a little rest and relaxation with my family this summer. After the past few months, it will be most welcome.