A superb rehearsal

From Katharine Emory, mezzo-soprano

Well, no entry yesterday as the hotel ran out of internet access cards! We had a superb rehearsal at the Royal College of Music just behind the Royal Albert Hall. Acoustically things were a bit difficult - it felt muddy and we had trouble hearing. Still, everyone - orchestra and chorus - was on their game. Sir Roger seemed in a good mood indeed.

The soloists are incredible. Sally Matthews (Hanne) has a remarkably dark, sometimes dusky timbre to her voice. Yet it can soar and move with a sparkling agility when the music calls for it. Tenor James Gilchrist (Lukas) is a gift to the world of oratorio. (I hope that Handel and Haydn audiences remember his brilliant performance in the St. Matthew Passion a couple of years ago.) I am in awe of his ease with all aspects of the music and with his complete lack of pretension in everything that he does. His intelligence comes out through his musicality and the result brings the listener in - from intimately nuanced pianissimo to dramatic forte. And his wonderful rapport with Ms. Matthews makes their duets a charming treat. The bass, Jonathan Lemalu, has a deep, rich timbre that is perfect for the role of Simon.

After rehearsal, we had the rest of the day to play! Many did the sights; I went to Sadlers Wells with 3 other choristers to see Matthew Bourne's "The Car Man" a ballet based on Carmen set in an auto body shop! It was marvelous. Post-play, we walked through all sorts of London districts, vaguely setting our sights on heading back to the hotel. We walked through the theatre district and many fancy shops, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Picadilly Circus, Knightsbridge, and eventually back to Kensington. Had to be at least 6-8 miles. It was exhausting and wonderful. The weather all day was perfect - sunny and clear. A tourist's dream!

Back at the hotel with my "take-away" from a little hole in the wall called Luscious Organic, I couldn't wait to shake off my shoes and watch some TV before going to sleep.