The adventures of Miss Despina

No time no time no time!

Sorry I am stupidly busy at the moment but everything is going well! Thanks for the good wishes everyone, I wish I had time to fill you in and thank you properly.

Next week I’ll be going to my first chamber choir practice and my first Candide rehearsal, my first Italian lesson of the new year, and maybe my new job (fingers crossed) also the secret lovely thing (and don’t worry Mum, you know what this is!) is getting closer to being reality. (The post I apologised for was just me being stupid and childish!)

We were in the park (the biggest metropolitan park in Europe) all afternoon, taking photos to go on my various adverts - concert programmes, online, posters in churches and bridal shops, etc. There are some stunning head / shoulders shots, but the full length ones would be nicer in a better outfit, my skirt was just a bit too short! I look like a doll on some of the photos though, they will make great "head shots". I was also pleased with the amount of weight I’ve shed since Prague, just by being happier and looking after myself.

Now I’m going to go and quickly read my favourite blogs, then I’m giving my house a very urgent clean! 

If anyone caught that last post, all I can say is: Oops.

Me and my nosey ways. 

I’ve hit about 6 top E flats today. That’s almost as good as Natalie Dessay who can hit a top A flat (yes, that’s about 75 leger lines above the stave).

It’s been a good day. I got into the chamber choir! I’m the only non music student, and the only new soprano. My friend Katie (who is far too nice to be a music student) tells me I should be proud of myself, so I am. I also have an interview for a job tomorrow, ok it’s only a crappy shop job but it’s at the Co-op, which sits well with me ethically. I couldn’t work in Tesco, it would be like sleeping with the enemy. I have business cards too, they’re red and lovely and under my name they say "A beautiful voice / A wide repertoire of songs / Perfect for your special day". I got the lady in central library to put one up on the noticeboard. (And noticed that we’re all using Vistaprint designs, bless us singers, we’re all as broke as each other!)

The audition for Candide was simply an audition to be in the show, I have to audition again for a part. I sang Quando m’en vo since it contains all those sexy high Bs (which were, thankfully, working very well). They were asking me to do a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a’s at the very top of my register, my top E just came out as a scream but I’d hit the E flat I need for the fabulous aria (see my previous post). They told me I’d be auditioning for a part within the next two weeks, so I’ve borrowed the music from the library to get a head start, and you know, it’s not as impossible as it sounds. Ok, there’s not much finesse at the moment, but I’ll get there.

Meanwhile, another situation is looking very very promising, but I don’t want to tempt fate by talking about it. You’ll find out soon enough. 

Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve got an audition on Friday. If I get the main part, I get to sing this.

Or I might do it more like this. 

How exciting is that? 

It was my birthday today. I got some great cards and some cool presents from friends and family. From Jez I got two hilarious CDs, an insulting card, a cake and a fantastic **** (thanks love).

I also got four unexpected gifts:

1. I thought my audition went badly. I woke up sounding like Tom Waits and although the sight-reading fairy was kind, I was so nervous I kept swapping parts every time I turned the page. But I’m told by an insider that the conductors loved me and were "stunned" by my voice. (I got up to a B flat anyway, which is pretty good on any day, let alone a Tom Waits day!)
2. A complete stranger told me that even though he’s never heard me sing, I’m bound to go far because I’m clearly a very nice person, and people will find that refreshing.
3. We viewed a lovely house. It’s meant to be a secret but it’s a very nice house in a great location. It’s exciting. I can’t wait for us to be in a big lovely house together that is actually our own! We have so many amazing photos, paintings and posters to go on the walls, we’ll decorate so Bohemianly (if that’s a word) and Jez will have the nicest, coolest study in the world and I’ll have a spare room to practice in.
4. I made peace with my ex. He’s giving me the money as soon as the piano’s sold. He’s glad I’m doing so well for myself (I told him in no uncertain terms just how great my life is). I congratulated him on being engaged, and meant it. He said thank you, we should go for coffee and catch up properly, and described this debt as "a burden we’ve both been sharing" which was true. And I’ve realised it’s easier to live with indifference than with something almost turning into hate. I don’t want hate inside me. Peace of mind is the best birthday present he ever gave me.

So, four birthday presents I didn’t ask for.

You have on your hands a slightly older, but much happier Despina.

Dobrou noc, buona notte, gute nacht et bonne nuit xxxxx