2009 literally FLEW by. An incredibly satisfying year on so many levels. Barak Obama being sworn in as POTUS has to be my absolute FAVE moment of 2009.  I felt like I was on cloud nine, and still do. He's doing a good job in awfully difficult times. People have ridiculously short memories, and in an age of instant gratification, his way of quietly getting things done is like a breath of fresh air. It will take a while for the turn-around to kick in, but I feel confident that it will. Patience is an under-rated virtue? My favorite male tennis player (Rafael Nadal) won the Austrailian Open, Serena Williams won Australian Open and Wimbledon. (things went a little wonky for them after that, but I am hopeful for 2010!)

I had an AMAZING time in Graz with Harnoncourt doing Maria in Porgy and Bess. Speaking of Harnoncourt; I was invited to his 80th birthday party in Vienna on December 6^th. It was a wonderful affair, and I was mighty pleased to be seated at the table with he and his wife Alice. His children and grandchildren did a bang-up job of hosting the party which was held in the Brahms hall of the Musiekverein. A good time was had by all. Sony brought out the Porgy and Bess recording of those concerts in Graz to coincide with his birthday. Nice gesture. Oh, and up until now? No one has guessed that I also sang the Strawberry Lady. LOL

I, and my  dear friends, David Triestram and John Dawson all turned 60 in 2009!Too bad I had to miss David's bash in Paris, but I did make it to John's party in Berlin. LOT'S of concerts this past year as well. Mostly recitals. (which I adore doing) More coming up in 2010 as well. I am looking foward to those. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  Cheers, Roberta  

Definitely need an update here. Now let’s see, All the concerts went extremely well. Starting with that Fabled Porgy and Bess at the Styriarte Festival in Graz this past July. Harnoncourt was conducting the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the soloists were from all reaches of the earth! Had a really good time there, and Harnoncourt was awesome. (as always)We go back a lonnnng way. He was instrumental in furthering my career back in the early 80’s. I did all my Mozart roles with him, lot’s of Händel and even some Telemann!! And lot’s of recordings and concerts. (He really made me blush, when he kept saying that I was the BEST Fiordiligi he ever had. That certainly was nice to hear.) Let it suffice to say, that being re-united with him on this project was something I certainly did not want to miss. It was an extremely moving experience. I had multiple roles (NONE of which I had ever sung before)and I had my hands full with all that. I also had WONDERFUL colleagues, some who I knew, and others that were new to me. New friends were made, old friendships revived. Oh, AND, P & B HAS to be one of the greatest scores EVER. What glorious music. The rest of the summer passed in blissful hanging around doing NOTHING. Which I (kind of) enjoyed very much.

The new season started off with a bang.. I did a lovely concert at the Gergiev Festival in Rotterdam with Harpist Lavinia Meijer and on the program were the Ravel Greek Folk songs arranged for voice and harp. This was HUGE fun. I also sang for the newly appointed Ambassador from the USA, Mrs. Levin, which was an enormous honor. The IVC (International Vocal Competition) in Den Bosch was in full swing with their National Auditions. These auditions were for singers who are residents of the Netherlands. The singers who were chosen are automatically into the 1st round of the competition which will be held in September of 2010. I enjoyed hearing so many good young singers. (Whew, the competition is fierce!) I look forward to next years International pre-rounds, which I also get to judge. Oh yes, and the conservatory is also going well. (although I really have too many students!! LOL) I’m now gearing up for a few recitals, and learning some new songs. (American) Cheers! Roberta