Hell week again

This is as bad as it gets.  We have three performances of Don Giovanni - all a pleasure I am sure I hasten to add.  We have the first "Simulcast" from the Harris, the first such thing for opera in Chicago - that is on Friday.  We have our last week of Flowering Tree rehearsals - and a bunch of committee meetings of our Board.  All in all its a 85 hour week!  Meanwhile Orlando is also in rehearsal.

So A Flowering Tree has been on stage all day.  I am afraid I left early - at 8.30.  My 12 hour day was over.  But I am still at it bringing you some hastily cobbled together pictures.  They are now on our picture site.  Those of you who can not find it can click this.  And I will add others as and when I can so check back from time to time.  Above you have a glimpse of the all important elephant getting his parts sorted out this evening.

But the real excitement will be the Piano Dress on Wednesday.  Then you will see the full beauty of this production by Nicola Raab in George Souglides' ravishing sets and costumes.  And those of you near enough to Chicago need to make the journey to see a performance the first of which is Wednesday May 14.

John Adams is in town and will be in charge of the Sitzprobe tomorrow, and most of the rehearsals from now on.  However there is no doubt that the great man will defer to his outstandingly gifted alter ego Joana Carneiro from time to time.  She has been preparing things up to now and will conduct the last three performances.  We are indeed fortunate.