knowing when not to sing

Greetings for the last time this season from Hamburg! Next week Brenda and I will be back in Frankfurt and she'll be rehearsing for her next new role, Aithra in Strauss's Die Ägytische Helena. Counting Aithra, Brenda has learned thirteen new roles in the last year and a half. That's a lot. Especially when you consider that she's typically performing a different role at the same time she's learning a new one. Fortunately, Brenda has fewer new roles next season, so she'll be able to breathe a little easier once she's got Aithra under her belt.

Remember last week when I told you that Brenda had to sing her first performance in Hamburg while she was fighting a cold? Well, she did an amazing job, and I doubt anyone in the audience could tell. In the days following the performance, Brenda started to feel better in every way except for her voice. It was still feeling off the day before her second performance, so Brenda went to see a doctor. The doctor diagnosed Brenda with laryngitis (in German: Kehlkopfentzündung) and told her that she needed to cancel her next two performances. As you might imagine, that was a really difficult thing for Brenda to hear - especially because this is the first time she has had to cancel, with one small exception, since her career began seven years ago. As difficult as it was, making the decision to cancel was a no-brainer considering that singing with laryngitis could cause permanent vocal damage. Brenda went back to the doctor today and was thrilled to hear that the laryngitis is gone. Her next performance is tomorrow night.

 The cast list on screen at the opera house.

 Brenda loving being healthy again (and enjoying the look of her vegan lunch).

While on our way to the grocery store, we paused for a few moments to enjoy an outdoor concert happening just a block from our apartment.

Hamburg has a lot of beautiful neighborhoods, many of which are built right on the water.

We enjoyed the lovely spring weather yesterday by taking a walk along the Außenalster.

 Proof that I was there.

The view from our balcony last night.

The Hamburg Marathon is on Sunday, which is when Brenda and I plan on heading back to Frankfurt. Hopefully, we'll be able to make it to the main train station without too much trouble. I hope you all have a great week, and we'll talk to you next Tuesday!