It's time for another update! My apologies for nearly a week with no news...it has been extremely busy here! The days are full of class, lessons and rehearsal. Friday evening was my first concert performance (and my gown arrived in my luggage just in time on Friday morning). On Sunday, a bus full of people from the La Musica Lirica program traveled to Venice. It was a beautiful hot day! I took many pictures, I'm excited to share them!
Much more soon,
A
Monday, June 25, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Update
Today has been fresh with new adventures- my first nearly 4 hour Italian class (for beginners) made me remember how much I love studying languages. Also the fact that I can immediately put what I learn into practice is very inspiring for attending class @ 9am. *yawn*
In attempt to become a regular (Italiana) domestic goddess, I have exhausted myself. Somehow, I was free from voice lessons, Italian coachings or opera rehearsal, at least for today so my roommate Naomi and I ventured to the supermarket called Conad (no Kroger here, kids) and carried all of our groceries and fresh produce from the fruit shop, back to our flat...nearly a mile...up a hill. Whew!
When we got home, I realized I was out of clean clothes (since my luggage has STILL not arrived) I washed everything I had worn for the last several days- by hand. Somehow I managed to make myself a sandwich before I collapsed to write this! :-)
Probably the most exciting news of the day is that I finally have an Italian SIM card in my phone! If you feel like making international calls or sending me texts, I'll gladly email the # to you. FYI- Novafeltria is 6 hours ahead of EDT (that's 7 ahead of CDT). I will answer at all hours! :-D
I feel very different here. Very liberated, but also confused at the same time. Since I'm very accustomed to working constantly and singing only when I have the time, it feels like the world has been turned upside down. Everyone in the program is always talking about opera! I realize more and more how much I have yet to learn, and I'm trying to be more excited than intimidated.
Also, Italian culture is so laid back in contrast to America. Almost all of the businesses here close for 4 hours every afternoon because people go home and take a nap! We have been instructed to be very quiet during this time (especially with our singing) to avoid angry, sleepy Italians! I was thinking about it...and I bet if everyone in America got a 4 hour nap in the afternoon, we'd all be in a better mood! I'll have to run that one past my boss, heehee.
I found out that my voice teacher while I'm here will be Brian Leeper (I believe he teaches at Florida State University). I'm hoping for a fun first lesson tomorrow...more very soon!!!
Love,
A
In attempt to become a regular (Italiana) domestic goddess, I have exhausted myself. Somehow, I was free from voice lessons, Italian coachings or opera rehearsal, at least for today so my roommate Naomi and I ventured to the supermarket called Conad (no Kroger here, kids) and carried all of our groceries and fresh produce from the fruit shop, back to our flat...nearly a mile...up a hill. Whew!
When we got home, I realized I was out of clean clothes (since my luggage has STILL not arrived) I washed everything I had worn for the last several days- by hand. Somehow I managed to make myself a sandwich before I collapsed to write this! :-)
Probably the most exciting news of the day is that I finally have an Italian SIM card in my phone! If you feel like making international calls or sending me texts, I'll gladly email the # to you. FYI- Novafeltria is 6 hours ahead of EDT (that's 7 ahead of CDT). I will answer at all hours! :-D
I feel very different here. Very liberated, but also confused at the same time. Since I'm very accustomed to working constantly and singing only when I have the time, it feels like the world has been turned upside down. Everyone in the program is always talking about opera! I realize more and more how much I have yet to learn, and I'm trying to be more excited than intimidated.
Also, Italian culture is so laid back in contrast to America. Almost all of the businesses here close for 4 hours every afternoon because people go home and take a nap! We have been instructed to be very quiet during this time (especially with our singing) to avoid angry, sleepy Italians! I was thinking about it...and I bet if everyone in America got a 4 hour nap in the afternoon, we'd all be in a better mood! I'll have to run that one past my boss, heehee.
I found out that my voice teacher while I'm here will be Brian Leeper (I believe he teaches at Florida State University). I'm hoping for a fun first lesson tomorrow...more very soon!!!
Love,
A
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Greetings from Italy!
Ciao!
I have arrived in Novafeltria after some intense travel, even slept some! The La Musica Lirica group was met by a warm welcome in the main piazza of the village with a dinner of pizza and pastries (followed by a visit to the gelateria- it's better than ice cream!). I am living in an apartment with 4 other women from the program...it is an old building with amazing views of the mountains, and everything is pink! Our beds, tablecloths, you name it! Very cute!
We had our first meetings about the operas today. I will be in Suor Angelica, and the rehearsals begin tomorrow! We also took an Italian placement test. I predict I'll be in the beginner's class. We meet for 3 hours each morning, so I should return to the US knowing some Italian!
One of the most exciting things I've seen is my name on a poster for the opera performance right outside the theater! My name is almost in lights! ;-)
Much more to come...and hopefully some pictures if I can get that figured out!
Allison
I have arrived in Novafeltria after some intense travel, even slept some! The La Musica Lirica group was met by a warm welcome in the main piazza of the village with a dinner of pizza and pastries (followed by a visit to the gelateria- it's better than ice cream!). I am living in an apartment with 4 other women from the program...it is an old building with amazing views of the mountains, and everything is pink! Our beds, tablecloths, you name it! Very cute!
We had our first meetings about the operas today. I will be in Suor Angelica, and the rehearsals begin tomorrow! We also took an Italian placement test. I predict I'll be in the beginner's class. We meet for 3 hours each morning, so I should return to the US knowing some Italian!
One of the most exciting things I've seen is my name on a poster for the opera performance right outside the theater! My name is almost in lights! ;-)
Much more to come...and hopefully some pictures if I can get that figured out!
Allison
Friday, June 15, 2007
Today is the day!
Good Morning, Friends!
In just a few short hours, I will begin my journey to Italy. Thanks to everyone for the lovely emails, kind words and prayers. I will post an update as soon I arrive and find a computer!
Love you,
A
In just a few short hours, I will begin my journey to Italy. Thanks to everyone for the lovely emails, kind words and prayers. I will post an update as soon I arrive and find a computer!
Love you,
A
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
9 more days in the USA...
After quite awhile, I am back! Now that the semester is over, and I'm only working, I have been in preparation for my trip to Italy! I will depart next Friday, June 15th at 2:00pm from Indianapolis to Philadelphia and then take an overnight flight to Rome. I will arrive the morning of my 24th birthday- what a gift! :-) My last day working at T-Mobile before my leave is Monday the 11th, and my family will be staying with me next week to help me pack and get ready. I have my opera role learned (now it's all about memorization!). I am also in a scene from The Marriage of Figaro, so that will be a fun adventure too. I'm basically spending the next week or so getting my ducks in a row AND I'm gathering addresses, so if you'd like a postcard from "The Boot Country" as my sister calls it, please email me your address!!! More to come very soon! ~A
P.S. This photo is from my recital on April 15th (with my piano professor @ CTS)
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