As 2010 draws to a close, I thought I'd share with you a family tradition (adapted here to my opera career). Every year, my wife and I do a "Top Ten" list of our favorite things. Traditionally, there is no rhyme or reason to the list, even the order is not subject to the typical laws of a top ten list. After all, what makes a small, portable video camera better than Baker's Brand Chocolate Chips? Darned if I know.
10. Bronx Opera- Again, Michael and Ben Spierman collaborate to create a truly memorable experience: bringing to life Mahler's Die Drei Pintos to the stage. I was in Musical America and the New York Times. I even got some great bootleg videos.
9. Moose- Not only are they fun animals, I had the great experience of tasting moose roast on my trip to Alaska. Delicious!
8. The Public Library System all around the United States. Nothing is more useful to a bored opera singer on tour.
7. My Team- Every opera singer has a team that helps them train. It's a little like being an Olympic athlete but with a much higher resting heart rate. In my case, I have a coach, a voice teacher and an agent. Every day I'm grateful for their support and guidance.
6. Chelsea Opera's Glory Denied- I had the chance to sing an opera by a living composer, based on a book by a living author, based on an oral history of a family. I had three degrees of separation between myself and the man I played in the opera. The piece was musically interesting and challenging and I had the opportunity to socialize with the composer and author. The Opera News review was a credit to the entire team.
5. Saturday Drive-bys to Sunset Park. My wife and I have timed it out to the last second. We can get from our apartment to Sunset Park and back. Upon our return home we have a pork bahn-mi, spicy grilled tofu skewers and a bag full of Chinese pastries.
4. Every year, we feature a seasoning. One year we discovered the joys of salt and pepper, another Sri Racha. This year's seasoning is Frank's Hot Sauce. A new favorite on our homemade poached eggs, hash and soysage.
3. Skilly Starter- from our Alaska adventure. This sourdough starter has been alive for over a hundred years. At least once a week we use it to make sourdough hotcakes for dinner.
2. Trader Joe's- About every other Sunday we hop in the car at about 7:45 a.m. We drive down Atlantic to the new Trader Joe's and wait for it to open. Shopping list in hand and we burn through the store, beating the incredible checkout line that forms by 8:30 a.m. It is a family tradition and one of the few ways to have an enjoyable shopping experience at this incredibly busy store.
1. Opera Fairbanks- Not only did I have the pleasure of travelling to our 49th State to sing Don Ottavio with incredible colleagues, but I was able to bring my family up and make a whole trip of it. We had the chance to tour, meet new friends and learn so much about the area.
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