La Rondine

I'm playing in the pit orchestra for an upcoming series of "Gala" performances at my conservatory celebrating the opening of a new theater building for the school. The rehearsals are long "hurry-up-and-wait" affairs involving more time listening to announcements of who should be where and when than actual time playing music, but such is to be expected when a show involves ballet, musical theater, opera, instrumentalists, and various other types of performances all on one stage.

The nicest part of the program is a gorgeous ensemble number from Act II of Puccini's La Rondine. I know very little about the opera and can't see any of the action from my seat down in the pit, but the lush melodies of the singers are all doubled in the violin parts and I have to admit I'm loving playing this music.



Some things in my life are sad right now.

(Things like my Grandma nearing the end of her life.)

And every time we play this soaring melody I notice the notes blurring a bit on the page.

[I'm sure the photocopy of our Violin I part just didn't come out clearly.]