May 4, 2005

Dear Diana,
I just read back in my journal. On this date a year ago, I was sitting on the brown sofa writing. Here's an excerpt:
Mom is in California, in the hotel. I don't know if it really is May 4th, but I think so... Hot and sultry today. Even the grass was sweating. Well, see ya, bye!
Today is another three (or less, but not much) hour rehearsal of the lovely tech week. Operas are a pain. For the orchestra, that is. Dido and Aeneas was written in the 16th century. Purcell's lifespan was 1658-1695. Poor old dude died at 37. Today is actually the dress rehearsal. Guess what! I have the best seat in the orchestra. I can see the stage! Well, so can Fern the cellist. Strangely enough, some (most) of my favorite pieces are the wicked ones. Like Echo Dance of Furies and Triumphing Dance. And one of my favorite lines is, "Elissa bleeds tonight, and Carthage flames tomorrow! Hahahahaha!" Elissa is another name for Dido. Another evil one is #2, Song. That is, it's evil for the orchestra. It has sixty-four measures of rest at the beginning. WHAT? Purcell, my man, have you gone insane? That's hard! I guess I like ones other than the evil ones in this opera, but they're not as exciting. Talia likes the love songs, like "Cupid only throws the dart," and "If not for mine, for empire's sake." I'm not sure what Anselm likes, but I'm pretty sure he likes the one where Dido calls Aeneas a crocodile. Not all my favorites are wicked ones. I like the entire hunt scene, and prelude, and Sailors' Dance. I also like Ritornelle. I like others, but I can't catalogue them all. Bye!

Kitty

Later:
SHE is so unjust! Today we couldn't go to family class because of tech week. I'm always put with the kids in sparring, and SHE always supervises us. At least when I move up to sparring with adults, SHE won't be there. Will she? Oh no! I bet she will! I am doomed to be forever with she who hates me. NOOOOO! Excuse me from TKD, please. I'm as dead as a doornail. Oh yeah, I saw a snake. It was really long and red and black. Pretty scary! Today was the dress rehearsal for Dido. It was better than yesterday, because there are two casts (one for each night) and this one is better. I'm too tired to write any more, bye!

Kitty