Friends,
OK, this has NOTHING to do with conducting, but while at an airbnb in Venice Beach with my daughter (I have been here for the weekend, judging the Met Opera district auditions), our host shared selflies from 2 weeks ago of her and MJ in Miami. He's 72 and still rockin'…and smokin' hot. This emerged out of a discussion about the wear and tear of travel on my poor old frame. Apparently Mick has no such concerns; of course it helps if you fly 1st class and have the penthouse view of South Beach.
Not that I am at all complaining. Paula and I strolled the boardwalk up and down to Santa Monica pier, checked out "Muscle Beach" (yes, it really exists), ate a fab glam lunch at Gjelina (so hip, its name is nowhere to be found on the building), a super cool glam breakfast at its cousin, Gjusta (again, no name), and…(gulp!)…a vegan dinner at a place called "Cafe Gratitude." Uh-huh. V-E-G-A-N. Veggie tostadas (called "Yo soy felix"), quinoa pasta shells ("Bountiful") with cherry tomatoes, eggplant and basil-hempseed pesto, all organic. FELT SO VIRTUOUS. Of course that all went to hell last night with a badass burger at the Blue Cow, up here on Grand, near the Biltmore Hotel. There is only so much healthy grub this man can take.
Oh, the auditions. My first time judging in LA in about 12 years, I think. Very well organized, and some good talent. We heard some fine singing and sent 4 people (2 sops, 1 mezzo and a young tenor) to the regionals in two weeks. Goodness, I love hearing gifted singers! Judged with Michael Egel, General Director of Des Moines Metro Opera, and the wonderful mezzo, Luretta Bybee; we made a great team.
Back to Cinti on the red-eye tonight, then on the podium for Dvorak New World tomorrow. It turns out to be a pretty good piece of music. Reviewing the score, I find…
..WAIT! This post is supposed to have NOTHING to do with conducting! More later…but before I sign off, I should point out the all of the plates at Cafe Grat had on them, "What are you grateful for today?" Sigh and smile. Enjoy your Sunday. Back to work tomorrow!
- MG
OK, this has NOTHING to do with conducting, but while at an airbnb in Venice Beach with my daughter (I have been here for the weekend, judging the Met Opera district auditions), our host shared selflies from 2 weeks ago of her and MJ in Miami. He's 72 and still rockin'…and smokin' hot. This emerged out of a discussion about the wear and tear of travel on my poor old frame. Apparently Mick has no such concerns; of course it helps if you fly 1st class and have the penthouse view of South Beach.
Not that I am at all complaining. Paula and I strolled the boardwalk up and down to Santa Monica pier, checked out "Muscle Beach" (yes, it really exists), ate a fab glam lunch at Gjelina (so hip, its name is nowhere to be found on the building), a super cool glam breakfast at its cousin, Gjusta (again, no name), and…(gulp!)…a vegan dinner at a place called "Cafe Gratitude." Uh-huh. V-E-G-A-N. Veggie tostadas (called "Yo soy felix"), quinoa pasta shells ("Bountiful") with cherry tomatoes, eggplant and basil-hempseed pesto, all organic. FELT SO VIRTUOUS. Of course that all went to hell last night with a badass burger at the Blue Cow, up here on Grand, near the Biltmore Hotel. There is only so much healthy grub this man can take.
Oh, the auditions. My first time judging in LA in about 12 years, I think. Very well organized, and some good talent. We heard some fine singing and sent 4 people (2 sops, 1 mezzo and a young tenor) to the regionals in two weeks. Goodness, I love hearing gifted singers! Judged with Michael Egel, General Director of Des Moines Metro Opera, and the wonderful mezzo, Luretta Bybee; we made a great team.
Back to Cinti on the red-eye tonight, then on the podium for Dvorak New World tomorrow. It turns out to be a pretty good piece of music. Reviewing the score, I find…
..WAIT! This post is supposed to have NOTHING to do with conducting! More later…but before I sign off, I should point out the all of the plates at Cafe Grat had on them, "What are you grateful for today?" Sigh and smile. Enjoy your Sunday. Back to work tomorrow!
- MG
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