Performance and Party

From Katharine Emory, mezzo-soprano

Well, last night's concert was an amazing experience. We sang awfully well - especially given that we had had a full, 3-hour dress rehearsal that same morning! Royal Albert Hall is simply exquisite. The acoustics made it remarkably easy to sing the most intimate pianissimos and full-out fortes that reached to the back of the hall and then bounced right back.

The day was drizzly - the only less-than-beautiful day we've had. They were very strict with their security at the hall, checking everyone's performance pass prior to allowing us to get past the Stage Door. The chorus shared dressing rooms with the orchestra, something we're not used to, but had no problem with, by and large, as the rooms were of good size. We had to choreograph our entries and exits, given the logistical constraints of the hall. There were audience members behind us, as well as directly in front of the orchestra and soloists. It was more than a little stunning to see the folks in the center equivalent of what we call the "orchestra" section standing throughout the entire concert! Some brought folding or camping chairs; some actually sat or lay down to merely listen. But many stood for the duration of the concert, the lucky ones in front, leaning on a railing that barely separated them from the soloists and TV cameras.

TV? Yes! It turned out that not only was the BBC audiotaping the concert (you can stream it online until Sunday), but they filmed it for live television as well! If only we'd had TiVo in our hotel rooms!!! sigh. It was an odd sight indeed as the cameras moved about on tracks in front or were pointed at us by operators alongside the chorus. It added to the excitement level, if not adding an edge of danger in the process...

Sir Roger, having been very happy with the dress rehearsal, was strong and confident as he conducted the unfolding drama that opens with the orchestra, then adds soloists to the mix, and finally brings in the chorus with rich, robust color. Throughout the concert, with its array of creatures (fish, birds, frogs, etc.), romance (Hanne and Lukas), temperatures (from sultry heat to icy stillness), drinking and laboring - through it all, we held our own, loving the whole musical spectacle as it was happening. What a thrill!

The concert was over all too soon. As we exited the stage to get to the dressing rooms, we had to compete with patrons leaving from the same doorways. On our way down the stairs, Sir Roger congratulated us, looking happy but a tad weary. Laurence Cummings (who conducted last season's Messiah and Orfeo) was among the familiar faces congratulating us; he seemed most impressed and delighted with our performance. It was gratifying to get this kind of response from musicians who know our group.

Most of us scrambled to get all of our stuff together and find the way back to the buses for a rain-free ride to the hotel. Our wonderful new Executive Director exhorted us to come to the bar and PARTY in celebration of our achievements over the last few days. I first met up with my neighbors from New Jersey (who just happened to be in London at the "right time") and my husband. We went to The Queens Arms for my first indulgence of the trip - a pint of Guinness! I was ready - and it was perfect.

When we got kicked out of the pub, my neighbors went back to their daughter's home and Andy and I hopped in a taxi to join the party at the hotel. And WHAT a party! Handel and Haydn Society Board members joined in the celebration and we ate and drank and danced and talked very very late into the night. Well, actually, morning ... The general consensus was that this was an event we'd love to see repeated again and again. The camaraderie was tremendously strong among all the musicians, not just within the orchestra or chorus. This is a true ensemble that revels in making music together. Good music. Really good music! And why not bring that music to as many people as possible? Even if it means jumping continents?

Finally, the hotel bar did its best to close. It's hard to say that we were tired - performing like this is enlivening, even inspiring. But it had been a long day - and a short trip. It was hard to believe that things that happened the day before hadn't occurred a week before. Time had become elusive and our body clocks were no longer ticking. We divided up into little groups with long goodnights and lots of hugs. Some of us hung out in stairwells finishing conversations that didn't want to end. It was the very essence of afterglow.

Andy and I got to sleep around 4am! We slept through our last free breakfast and didn't make it out of the hotel until 11am. We're staying in London, unlike most (but by no means all) of the performers. We have much still to see and do - and we have the luxury of knowing we'll get to do it. Still we all crammed a lot into this short gem of a tour. It will live on in our memories for story-telling long after this blogsite gets taken down.

I can't sign off without thanking the Handel and Haydn Society staff, some of whom came to London to help make everything run so smoothly. Marie-Hélène Bernard, our Executive Director, was at every rehearsal and looked out for our well-being in a professional and caring way. What a joy to be able to get to know her as a musician, administrator, and just plain fascinating person and then party with her post-concert! I think she is developing an excellent sense of what our potential is as a premiere music ensemble - and who we are personally. Then there's Personnel Manager Jesse Levine, whom so many know and love as a trumpet player (who gets to show off his chops every Messiah in "The Trumpet Shall Sound"). Jesse does so much for us performers when he's wearing his administrative "hat," it simply cannot be described or defined. Suffice it to say that we treasure him and his hard work is deeply appreciated by player and singer alike. We also had very helpful behind-the-scenes assistance from Artistic Services Manager Michael Jendrysik, whose cheery demeanor meant a lot. Of course, back in Boston, everyone at Handel and Haydn helped prepare for this huge undertaking. Director of Marketing and Public Relations Gregg Sorenson set up the PR and Associate Marketing Director Brian Stuart manned the "blogstation" 24/7 it seems! Never having blogged before, I know my entries were ridiculously long (but hopefully not tedious!). Still, there was much to cover for any of those interested in what a tour like this is like from a performer's point of view.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for being interested in Handel and Haydn. And thanks for coming to our concerts - whether in London or Boston or where the future may take us!!! See you on the concert stage.