La Commedia è Finita!

Reminders that the end of a rewarding career can serve as the beginning of new adventures and experiences.

Today I attended the Final Dress rehearsal of Jake Heggie’s Moby-Dick at the MET. It was a thrilling combination of great orchestral and vocal writing, an outstanding cast, and an intriguing, thought-provoking production that added to and supported the music and the story. Brandon Jovanovich was outstanding in the role of Captain Ahab. Peter Mattei, always a favorite of mine, shone as Starbuck, and Stephen Costello’s performance as Greenhorn was tender, sensitive, and very moving.

Brandon Jovanovich takes his bow at the end of the Final Dress of Moby Dick at the Metropolitan Opera.

This is a PHENOMENAL show! Do go see it! Read more here.

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It’s a good thing that I’ve gotten comfortable with being one of those applauding the performers: That my “place” is now on the other side of the pit, in the audience, was underscored for me today in two ways:

1. The second half of the season, which officially starts next week, marks the absence of my name from the orchestra roster in the Playbill (which, while not unexpected, gave me pause when I saw it today.)

2. Today’s mail brought a statement notifying me that my first pension payment had been deposited into my account.

Yes, seeing these things in print has a sobering finality to it. And there are certainly many things I miss about performing with the orchestra. But I definitely made the right decision and am happy with it.

I am enjoying the perspective that being away from the daily commute, rehearsals and performances, and the rigid, taxing schedule has provided me. Among countless other benefits, it has given me the opportunity to hear often-played repertoire in a fresh new way. I’m also able to more easily and immediately absorb a new work—without needing to pay attention to challenging passages or the condition of my reeds—just as I did today.

But whether it’s a favorite warhorse or the discovery of a new opera to enjoy, I now share the experience with my husband by my side, rather than looking for him seated in the Grand Tier and waving to him from my chair in the pit.

This is an honor and privilege that, after thirty-one years of faithful service, I think I have more than earned!