Written on a plane

From Katharine Emory, mezzo-soprano

Oh the excitement of travel! For me, it starts out with the unlikely aspect of a complete lack of appetite. My stomach so perfectly expresses what my mind cannot fathom: the anxiety that comes from anticipation of the unknown. Andy makes me breakfast but I can barely eat. Coffee, on the other hand, I can drink forever...(with soy milk to avoid the phlegm-production that lactose-laden products like milk create - it's a singer thing). I wonder how easy it is to get soy milk for coffee in the U.K.?

The day is spent in packing and crossing off items on lists. I also spend extra time with the cats, knowing that they already sense something is going on; routines are not being observed!

The ultimate shock comes when Andy and I both realize that we're ready early. EARLY! He's gotten permission to miss "light check" at Mamma Mia! in order to take me to the airport himself before heading to Broadway. I'm eternally grateful for the extra time together.

We go to a local diner for a late lunch before heading off to Newark. (Most of the chorus is leaving the next morning from Logan Airport.) I confess that, even though we're going to see each other in a couple of days, we take our goodbyes seriously - either that or he humors me!

Getting through security was a breeze. Hallelujah. I can't imagine what the orchestra must go through with their instruments. It's been ages since anyone's even asked me to explain the strange round metal object I carry in my purse (pitchpipe). Sigh. I remember joking about its doubling as a pizza cutter in the old days; we don't joke about anything at airports anymore.

I wait for my flight to board - it feels like an eternity, so I fill the time with studying my music. Because I live in NJ, I was allowed to miss the brush-up rehearsal Wednesday night. Still, I don't want to let down our chorus master, John Finney, nor embarrass myself at the Sunday morning rehearsal in London. I mouth the German text in rhythm to re-familiarize myself with the piece, wrapping my mouth around the complex consonants as silently as I can so as not to disturb the man reading next to me. His book is about arrows and archery!

Finally! I'm on the plane and we're taking off. New York at night is a glorious sight and my view is particularly spectacular and meaningful. The air is crystal clear so I can easily see the distinctive lights of the Chrysler and Empire State buildings. Even Times Square is easily distinguished from my window seat. How amazing to think that my husband might see the lights of my plane were he to be outside right now...

Soon I arrange my neck pillow and attempt sleep. It's important to get on London time as soon as possible to get my voice in its best shape for Sunday's rehearsal. I'm drinking lots of water on the plane as dryness is a singer's nemesis. It's inevitable on long flights, but we do what we can to stave it off or minimize it at least. Alas, alcohol dries the throat even more, so - for me - my first Guinness will come after the concert Monday night!

But first things first - reset the watch for England time and drift off... When I wake, it will be in another country!