13 years ago I was in Europe on a concert tour with a symphony. On one particular day I was outside a concert hall in London with hopes of getting tickets to that nights show of "The Phantom of the Opera". As I stood there I noticed a man walking down the street, violin case in hand, who proceeded to enter the back door of the theater. "That's what I want to do", I remember thinking. I didn't want to teach, or travel the world as a soloist, or play in a symphony.....I wanted to play in the pit orchestra for a show. What a great life....spending every evening performing a piece that has become so familiar that sheet music isn't even needed. That man with his violin made quite the impression on me, for I have never forgotten that moment.
Tonight I get a taste of that dream. Every January the Washington East Opera puts on a show. This year it is "The Marriage of Figaro", which is the sequel to our last performance of "The Barber of Seville". It's the best of both worlds as Hannah Montana would say (can you tell that I am the mom of a 5 year old girl?). I get to do what I really love most and be a wife and mother, and then one week a year I put on my musician hat and play in an orchestra for an opera. So if you aren't busy tonight, Friday, or Saturday at 7:00 come and enjoy the show! It's a tradition that has been going for over 200 years....a testament to the grandeur of the Opera and the talent of a man named Mozart.
