Inspiration and Stamina

Opera singers (unless they are singing at some of the bigger houses) rarely get to do more than two to four performances of a single role at a time. It’s not until after the performances are over that you get a chance to revisit it and learn more about how to sing/act it. But I have been quite lucky with this production of Skylight Music Theatre’s Fidelio. I have already been able to sing Don Pizarro at least nine times and with this weekend’s performances, I will sing three more. Sometime last week, I started fighting with allergies with included nasal congestion, drainage and phlegm that just wanted to sit right on my vocal cords. But throughout the process I kept going, relying on technique to help me. I also reminded myself how lucky I was to be singing this demanding role and constantly looked for inspiration and stamina.

Inspiration #1: Early on while being here in Milwaukee I had the chance to visit the Milwaukee Sign Language School where I saw students ranging from some hearing loss to full loss. This school was filled with students of varying levels who were not only able to communicate, but who had an appreciation for music and theatre because they had participated in several collaborative productions. What was most amazing was watching these kids who in society’s eyes were deemed “different” show something most “normal” students in school lack: joy. In this environment, the students seemed happy, even the shy ones, because they knew that they were loved and more than that, they were lucky to be in a place that understood and nurtured them. It reminded me of being in the theatre where many “weird” folks gather and under the love of opera, create magic.

Inspiration #2: I was sitting in a café having breakfast and was taken aback when the server came over and after introducing himself, told me how good I had been in the production. I was certainly happy that he liked the production and my performance. What struck me more, however, was his upbeat personality. He didn’t just have the basic friendliness that it seems that all Milwaukeeans have. He genuinely seemed to be interested in not only talking to each of his tables, but he really wanted them to have a great dining experience. His enthusiasm went as far as to even show the new server the exact way to make an Arnold Palmer. I was impressed with his joy at doing his job. Who knows if he is a professional server or an actor waiting tables to pay the bills? It didn’t matter because in that moment he seemed to be at his happiest. It was a wonderful reminder that I have much to be grateful for and even when I am not at my best, I am still VERY lucky to be performing. In the moment, I get to choose to be my happiest.

So, as I go into the final weekend of performances after a wonderful, long and exciting run, I remember to drink lots of water, get plenty of rest, eat well and do my very best in the place that inspires me the most.

Peace,

Eric