Everyone looked spiffy, and everyone agreed that my dress kicked some serious ass. Even I couldn’t find any flaws with my appearance in this sucker.
As for my actual performance, I have to say it.
I freaking ROCKED!
I worked so hard for this role and it paid off. I sounded great and it was probably my best performance to date. I just kicked tail. I looked good, too. It takes a lot for me to be that kind to myself, so it says a lot.
Other really good things happened, too. The mezzo that I replaced (She had the solo for a number of years and was devastated when I replaced her.) finally spoke to me about her feelings.
“I told John that if he was going to replace me, I was happy it was you and that he would never find another singer to do “He was despised” better than you. Thank you for not making a liar out of me.”
I was so touched and happy. She and I have worked together longer than just about anyone. I cut my teeth on my first professional opera engagement with her as my mirror mate in 1993. She means a lot to me and so it was high praise indeed.
Not to say that I wasn’t a basket case before hand, I was. I was nervous as all get out. See this photo? I was waiting to go onstage and I am pretty sure that I had chewed off my entire tongue by this point. I had to use every ‘Calm me down’ trick in the book. Luckily, those worked as well.
There were other SNAFU’S as well. My stomach hurt SO bad. My voice coach and Bass soloist let me munch on his box of wheat thins at intermission. I hadn’t eaten that day (It’s hard to sing on a full stomach), so I really needed it.
When I went out to sing my final aria, I breathed in and realized I had a huge piece of Wheat Thin lodged in my throat.
IT. HURT.
A. LOT.
I managed to get through the song and then the second I was done I ran off stage and was hacking and coughing and gagging. Security, singers and the signing chorus were all around me.
I lived but my HELL. I don’t recommend it.
My coach, Harry (And every other person) had zero idea there was anything wrong while I was singing. In fact, Harry said, “I was going to ask you what you did differently tonight because it was so emotional and really the best you’ve done. You should choke on Wheat Thins more often!”
Ha.
I am glad that I have one more night to soak in the pure joy I get from doing things like this. It takes a lot out of me though, so it is probably for the best that I don’t do it often. Otherwise I would have “Performance Hangover” a lot. It isn’t pretty, as you can see here:
Ta-ta for now, folks.
I hope you had a great weekend, because I did.
Bridge says:
You sang better than an angel darling. I was really impressed!
March 26th, 2007 at 5:52 am
Loralee says:
LL,
This post was soooo much fun to read. I’m so happy for you. I wish that I could’ve been there to cheer you on. I KNEW you’d kick ass.
And I have to say that your dress is one of THE most beautiful dresses I’ve ever seen. Seriously. AND you look freakin’ gorgeous in it.
Congratulations on your smashing success, LL. I’m completely thrilled for you.
xxxxoooo
LL2
March 26th, 2007 at 6:27 am
Amber says:
Hurray! That dress DOES kick some serious booty. But choking on wheat thins to deliver the performance of a lifetime? Now, THAT is a first.
Congratulations!
March 26th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Pink Cupcake says:
Wow! You look so beautiful. The dress is truly stunning and I’m so glad that the performances went really well. Many, many congratulations!
March 26th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Vanessa says:
You looked A.MA.ZING! Like a true star. I only wish I could have been there
Nurse that hangover and rest up for next week’s performance, won’t ya?
Vx
March 26th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Sharon says:
Wheat thin stuck in your throat, huh? And you STILL sounded amazing????
I actually think you have the ability to overcome anything life throws at you, girl!
I’m so glad it went well. You looked gorgeous! How much weight have you lost? You are a twig!!!
Any video/tape taken that you can share?
March 26th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
heather says:
BEAUTIFUL in that dress, really. You should wear in grocery shopping just to get more mileage out of it!
Wheat This- that sucks. I once had a performance where I was singing while it was snowing (small Styrofoam peanuts from the catwalk). During inhalation before the super high notes I sucked in a piece of “snow”. Choking in front of an audience- not cool. Kudos for you for keeping it under wraps!
March 26th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
hairyshoefairy says:
I’m so, so, so glad you enjoyed it and felt good about your performance. You look absolutely stunning in the pics.
I actually rather enjoy the performance hangover. Hee.
Also, I want those cute pj’s.
March 26th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
teresa says:
I attended Saturday night and you did TOTALLY ROCK! It was beautiful. You looked great, the chorus did wonderful (way to go Jonathan, Brian, Mary Ellen, & Rachel). I had no idea you were choking on a wheat thin–you hid it well. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard you perform before and I was duly impressed! I hope to hear you sing many more times!
March 26th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Natasha says:
You do, indeed, look gorgeous. I love the color of that dress.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
SparklieSunShine says:
That is awesome. I soo wish I could have seen it. Hopefully you have a video or soundclip tucked away that you can share with us.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Aspen says:
Wahooo
Glad to hear it went well.
March 26th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Craig says:
This is unrelated, but look at this:
http://kvnuforthepeople.com/?p=316
March 26th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Loralee Choate says:
Craig-
Oh. My. Hell.
HA HA HA HA.
Dude. First it was in the Herald Journal and now this. Who knew? I swear I should do a second edition. I never filmed the north end of the valley.
Between this and the Statesman publishing the DORKIEST quote from me “It brings a tear to the eye” (LAME), it’s been quite a week.
At least they misspelled my name so it won’t bring me up in a Google search.
Thanks for sending me the link. I’m glad you’re around. It’s always nice to have local readers.
March 26th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Alicia says:
You look gorgeous. If I was closer to Utah than the days away that I am, I would have been there with bells on. I love classical music, and I’m sure you rocked it like nobody’s business. Your talent is monumental. Seriously. Love listening to your recordings. Now where is a recording of this stellar performance?
Also, I worked for Borders, too, for a year when we first moved to GA and after we moved here. Scary working for Borders here, though ’cause we’re just down the street from corporate. Kind of fun; kind of intimidating. I got to know a couple of the CEOs. They’re nice.
Me and historical fiction are soulmates, too. Does that mean we’re vicariously soulmates? ‘Cause that would rock. Have you read any Philippa Gregory? She’s pretty kick butt, too. Whose your favorite?
March 27th, 2007 at 2:11 am
Beekie says:
I’m glad you rocked, I knew you would. You look freaking gorgeous in that dress.
Oh and that video is freaking hilarious. I had to make a concerted effort to not guffaw profusely because Fi is sleeping in the next room. I think one of my favorite parts is at the mall where you have a bunch of groupies dancing with you.
March 28th, 2007 at 1:38 am
Doug says:
Congrats! You look wonderful in that pic too. Well, not so much in the last pic, but we can’t be perfect all the time. Well, I can, but everybody can’t be me. But it never hurts to try.
March 30th, 2007 at 2:52 am