Names may never hurt you in the USA, but in Germany insulting someone may lead to a lawsuit and have professional consequences. It’s called Beleidigung and can be a crime! People are very direct here and our American ‘nicey-nice’ is often viewed as insincere, but European cultural concepts of personal honor combined with the more …
A Singer Got A Job! It does happen! A baritone who came to me for a consultation got a two year engagement at the Volksbühne Rostock. He was what they needed and is now singing his first Rigoletto. There are many performances, so he can really develop the role. This is just the beginning, vocally …
As a young singer in New York I remember NYIOP’s early days. They’re 25 now and have grown and expanded to holding auditions in several countries including Berlin this December. They get legitimate people from good theaters and have had a knowledgeable pianist as well, but it’s a real NY style cattle call. The good …
Don’t cut it close since 40% of long distance trains are late. Everybody has horror stories but you can usually get where you’re going if you pay close attention to the electric departure boards in the stations! The lines are often long but the information kiosks can be very useful and they almost always speak …
Different States have different dates for Summer vacation – remember, it’s six weeks here but a different six weeks in each State. Here’s when the various ZAV offices and theaters in their region are officially back in business. Leipzig – August 14Hamburg – August 19Berlin – August 22Köln – Sept 1Stuttgart (Chorus) – Sept. 12München …
I may be in the ‘breathtaking’ stage of AI reaction but I just did some AI research on agents and German opera houses. I was VERY impressed but a word of caution is in order: you have to ask the right question and be discriminating about the answers. You also have to know enough of …
It’s happening at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and is a big deal. A new Intendant (Artistic Director, and head of the Theater). He’s bringing in a new team and has planned next season, beginning with a Stockhausen piece which includes a string quartet videoed in from helicopters. He’s also managed to avoid having a General …
16 hours and 54 minutes of sunlight says Gemini. That’s how long the days get in Berlin. Dinner is generally later and long lazy evenings are the rule because the light takes a long time to fade. One of the joys of German summer, although we used to start Turandot in Eutin as late as …
It’s nice to be part of a family and that’s the feeling I got when I took the train from Berlin to Ulm to see Kay Metzger’s last show as Intendant and resident stage director. He brought me into the Wagner repertoire with Tannhäuser in 2000 when he headed his first theater in Halberstadt. Kay …
From what I hear, at least from ZAV, things are pretty well sewn up for next season-EXCEPT for real Lyric Tenors-Tamino, Ferrando, operetta and ‘classic’ musical. They won’t say where, but if you have a pretty voice and want to perform a wide range of repertoire you should send them your materials. Otherwise they say …
Summertime – und das Leben ist herrlich aber einen Job zu finden ist schwieriger! Read More »