As an opera singer, the summer can be a pretty lean time for full on operatic projects. Yes there are some summertime festival opera companies, and other summer music festivals, but because I am just getting back into the business, I have not entered into that world quite yet.
I have enjoyed more Northern CA style summer performances, singing at wineries, outdoor venues, private parties and this year, an amazing french cafe. These are opportunities to sing some of the most famous rep and enjoy a little party while you do it. They are usually quite laid back and are great places to meet new people and hopefully introduce them to opera, or remind them why they love it.
Although each venue is unique in its environment and feel, last night's event in Old Sacramento, I must say, took the cake!
Last night I performed at Cafe Americain in Old Sacramento for a Bastille Day Celebration. This was in conjunction with both Sacramento Opera and Sterling Caviar. The evening started with amazing French champagne, wine tasting, caviar and sturgeon appetizers. In the turn of the century feeling entry way with multi colored crystal chandeliers, I was set to sing a set of two art songs to kick off the evening. There was a schedule....but, the evening took on a life of its own, it was very European in that way. No one worried about a schedule of events as much as if everyone was enjoying themselves. I then sang two French Art songs, "Ares un Reve" by Faure and "Chere Nuit" by Bachelet. It went really well in this intimate setting and everyone stopped eating to enjoy. At the first singing break, there was a fashion show. It was great, and I definitely knew when the designer walked in. His jacket was pristine, but still had the security tag on. Who else could be cool enough to get away with that and not go to jail for shop lifting? Oh, and also, his shoes were textured like crocodile shoes, but were really shiny silver!
We moved down to the courtyard for the next part of the evening...vodka tasting. Yes, vodka tasting. I was handed several more appetizers while the crowd was more interested in vodka "tasting". It differed from any tasting I had ever seen in that the glasses in which it was served seemed larger than an average shot glass. Also, the pour was more like a bartender pouring a beer and making sure that this was the perfect pint pour, they were filled to the tippy top. Some were vodkas tasted were unique or even saved for royalty.
Next I sang a couple arias from CARMEN, the Habanera, to get their attention, and Micaela's aria. Again, everyone enjoyed. While on our second break, a thin but muscular man with long dread locks and a cowboy hat with a plastic crate had to get by me. He said that he needed to make a fire safety zone....WHAT?!?!?!? A fire safety zone??? Oh yeah, that's right, after the vodka tasting was the fire dancing....OF COURSE! We got to chatting with him, he was hilarious and really interested in what we were doing, which was cool. He got his area set up and then came back with a cigarette in his mouth and asked me for a light. Oh yes, the man that makes a living lighting things on fire did not have a appropriate tools for the job. I thought I'd die laughing! We asked, "Wouldn't that be like our singer coming without her voice?" Pretty funny! Then we enjoyed the amazing spectacle of the fire-dancing. Fire balls were swinging all over this man, and he even lit himself on fire a few times....yikes....although only briefly!
Then came the food. Oh, my, the food! We were welcomed to the unbelievable dinner, tossed mixed green salad, beet ravioli (mmmm!!), two different kinds of beautifully smoked sturgeon with tahini, a salad with escarole, pine nuts and bulgar. Wow! Then there MAY have been a delightful canolli that made its way to my mouth. Then, of course, I sang one more time as I wiped the cream/cheese filling off my lips. Embarrassing, I know, but I couldn't help myself! We ended the evening, well my part of the evening, with me singing Carmen's "Seguidilla". I went home, but still on the "schedule" was Absynthe tasting done in the traditional French style. I should've stayed! I do believe that they know how to throw a party, it was quite an evening.
With this kind of spectacle and unbelievable food, who needs summer festivals?

