Welcome to the Underworld, We've Got Fun and Games

Dan sings his heart out
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After a couple of days off it was back to business for Yale Opera. We were especially happy to welcome new cast members Elona Ceno, Dan Bircher and Edwin Vega to town for the start of ORPHEE AUX ENFERS rehearsals with Maestro Giuseppe Grazioli on Sunday evening.

We also welcomed to town Yale School of Music Deputy Dean Thomas Masse who is a fixture at their New Haven performances. It is nice for the students to see a friendly face who is in no way concerned with any questionable grades at the moment.

Sort of like Sea World, only with more potential for danger

Christy confers with Doug Dickson
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Since these same singers have performed ORPHEE three times already this spring, the rehearsal process has left a bit more room for fun and improvisation. The Italian orchestra is getting a dose of American humor including references to Bob Dylan, a cell phone call to Pluton, and the beloved Bee Duet complete with prop bee, graciously supplied by the Maestro’s four year old son.

The weather in Milan has been hot and muggy, and the students have been dressing accordingly by wearing sandals and flip-flops. As the Cancan tempo increased, those of us in the audience were treated to a shower of flying sandals of incredible size-- sort of like Sea World, only with more potential for danger. The shoes eventually found their way back to their owners, and another long day in Milan came to an end.