Shostakovich + Jetlag

Ana Sinicki, Zach Borichevsky, Adelaide Muir, Christy Lombardozzi, and Diego Matamoros with Maestro Catani
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Group #1 is in Milan, present and accounted for.  After a nap at the hotel and an assist from Sweet Lady Espresso we made our way to the Auditorium di Milano for the first rehearsal with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi.  (In the interest of time I'll use the diminutive "Orchestra Verdi" from this point forward).

The original plan was to observe the orchestra's rehearsal, but the singers were instead encouraged to jump right in.  It was a surprise, but professionalism and good preparation won out, and good first impressions were made all around.

It was a surprise, but professionalism and good preparation won out, and good first impressions were made all around.

Olivia Vote and Ed Parks
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There are always nerves that come with singing wtih a professional orchestra (especially one in a foreign city) for the first time.  The luxury of my position is that at this point, the bulk of the work is done and I can watch in what is as close to a laboratory environment as the music world will provide.  The training that these singers have had at the Yale School of Music is completely geared towards preparing them for performances with live orchestra, and constant repetition of the situation is the ultimate hands-on training.  In addition to international exposure, they learn to be in synch with the conductor, adjust their own sound for the style of the ensemble, and to use the voice wisely and healthily over a long stretch of time.  All of this, plus the reward of fresh espresso and wine at the international bargain of 4 Euro a bottle.  Viva Italia.

Nicholas Masters, Ana Sinicki, Zach Borichevsky
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Enjoy these photos from yesterday's rehearsal.  Stay tuned for more from the amateur photographers (ie this author and his wife).

Thanks for riding along,

Grant